John 2:1-5: a reflection

1The third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. 2Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the wedding. 3When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.” 4Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”

At the wedding in Cana, the wine runs out, an embarrassing shortage in the middle of a celebration. Jesus' mother notices, and does two simple things. First, she brings the need to Jesus: they have no wine. She does not lecture him or propose a solution; she simply names the lack and lays it before him. And then, turning to the servants, she gives them one instruction: whatever he says to you, do it.

Notice the wisdom in both moves. When faced with a need, Mary brings it to Jesus, plainly, trusting him with it, not knowing exactly what he will do. And then she positions everyone for his working with a posture of ready obedience: whatever he says, do it. She does not know it will involve filling jars with water; she simply readies the servants to obey whatever he commands. And it is precisely into that readiness, the jars filled at his word, that the miracle comes.

Those two movements are a pattern for us. Bring your needs and your lacks to Jesus, honestly and without dictating the answer, laying them before him. And then take the posture Mary commends: whatever he says to you, do it, a readiness to obey his word even before you understand where it leads. Often God's provision comes precisely through our willingness to do whatever he says, filling the jars at his instruction. Bring your need to him, and then do whatever he tells you.

Lord Jesus, at Cana your mother brought the need to you and told the servants, whatever he says to you, do it. Teach me both: to bring my needs and lacks honestly to you without dictating the answer, and then to take the posture of ready obedience, doing whatever you say even before I understand. Position me for your working through a willing, obedient heart.