Whatever He Says, Do it.

Years ago, I wrote a rap. This was when I was much younger, had hair and could almost pull it off. I kept repeating this phrase in the chorus: "When God says go, you gotta go." (Now imagine dance moves and you can see why I never actually did this song in public more than once!)

“Whatever He says to you, do it.”

In the book of John, chapter 2 we are told of the first miracle of Jesus and learn a bit about his mom, Mary that can inspire us today.

In verses 1-6 we find Jesus at a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and His mom was there.

"Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, 'They have no wine.'

Jesus said to her, 'Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Whatever He says to you, do it.'"

“Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Words to live by.

I was interacting with a couple last week and having the sweetest time. At one point, the story of Jesus turning water to wine came up. We read it and that phrase jumped out at me: “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

My first thought was that Mary’s response reveals her humility. At the very beginning of the gospels, we see her submission to God. She responds to the angel announcing the news of her supernatural pregnancy in Luke 1:38 by saying, ‘May it be to me as you have said.” (Whatever you say is what I want as well.) Her faith in God set her apart--all generations are to call her blessed (Luke 1:48.)

God loves humble hearts.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (ESV)

But her statement about the coming shortage of wine revealed her lack of comprehension about the glory of Jesus. She was no different than anyone else. Her life had not been changed by the power of God yet.

Jesus honored his mom by taking care of the problem but He also let her know that He was entering life of glory that no one (even His mom,) could possibly conceive: “What is there between me and you?”

“Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” (ESV)

It seems she still thought of Jesus as her son. But as her Lord, she had no authority over Him at all.

It is easy to think we know more about God than we do. It is easy to take for granted His love and promises. Sometimes we can skip through the day without giving a second thought to His plans or will for our lives...until a need arises.

But the perennial true and great response is, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

The wonderful thing about Jesus is...He loves us when we are wrong, when we are absent-minded, when we are unaware, when we are selfish, bored, confused, arrogant, ashamed, tired, hurt, lonely, and a host of other situations. God will always respond to faith in Him. It is the only way to please Him.

Humility and Faith

Mary had faith but she didn’t have complete understanding into Who He Was.

Not much is different today. And yet, He moves and works and meets our needs. “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

And guess what was the result? The disciples believed. Way to go Mary!

Luke 2:11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Even though Mary did not understand the timing of God’s plan and the enormity of Who He Was, her faith in Him brought about a great change in his disciples lives. They believed in Him.

How precious! How encouraging! How amazing! I don’t need to understand everything. I can make mistakes. He is not going to humiliate me or embarrass me or withhold his blessing because I don’t “DO” everything perfectly.

God moves when I believe. God answers prayer when I trust Him.

“Whatever He says to do, do it.”