John 2:5 “His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’”

The RSVP’s were in, but to provide a safe cushion, our experienced catering service added several digits to the count. We absolutely did not want to run out of food!

The big day arrived and it quickly became evident the number of anticipated guests fell short of the crowds arriving. We welcomed our RSVP guests as well as those who had overlooked responding, very grateful for the caterer’s cushioned-count. But we also welcomed non-RSVP guests arriving with guests of their own whom we had never met. At that point, panic set in.

I turned to the caterer for reassurance who remained visibly calm and began dishing out instructions to her crew.

All quickly followed orders. The main entrée was moved to the back of the line. (less likely to run out of what is at the end) The most plentiful side-dish was placed first. The large dinner plates were replaced with smaller, more dainty ones and the large serving spoons replaced with more delicate ones.

Whew! Desperate times called for desperate measures, as any host can attest!

Many years ago, the gospel of John described a similar incident at a wedding in Cana. Food and wine flowed freely, but the wedding continued for days. So, as the bride and groom relished in their moment, the host anxiously checked the reserves. They were running out of wine!

Jesus’ mother, Mary, knew there was no need to panic. She pointed to her son and instructed the servers, “Whatever He says to you, do it!”

Consider a world today if we heeded this mother’s advice from long ago. “Whatever He (Jesus) says to you, do it!”

You see . . .

Jesus said, “Love your enemies,” yet so often we struggle to even like our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If we showered our love upon all, would Jesus be seen in us? Would others desire Him, too?

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven,” yet we often perform our deeds loudly to bring glory to self. What if our faith shone like a bright light in a dark world with no thought to self-recognition? How much glory would be shone upon our Heavenly Father?

Jesus said, “With God, all things are possible,” yet we place limits on God’s power. We doubt His ability to forgive, to love, to protect, and to guide. Consider our victorious life in Christ if we lived according to God’s power within us.

When the servants at the wedding heeded the words of Jesus, panic ceased and miracles happened. Mary’s words remain as true today as they did when she spoke them. Remember, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Father God, help us to live out Your words.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane