Epiphanies are about revelations, and throughout these Sundays that follow the feast of the Epiphany we are hearing stories that reveal something about who God is, what God’s kingdom is like, and in turn, how we are to live as God’s people.
Today we heard the story of the wedding in Cana. Signs always point to
what God is doing in the world, and the sign Jesus performs here is the first
of seven that we will hear about in John’s gospel. At the end of his gospel,
the Evangelist tells us,
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31)
This time when I read the story though, the sign, or miracle, itself wasn’t what drew my attention. The wedding is in the background. We don’t even know who is being married; only that Jesus’ mother, he and his disciples are all guests. But John focuses on the conversation between Jesus and his mother after she noticed that the wine had run out.
It’s difficult for us to know what the tone of the conversation was, but Jesus doesn’t appear too interested when he answers her, “…what concern is that to you and to me?” We can’t see how his mother reacts, but John says she addresses the servants and tells them, “Do whatever he tells you.”
And those are the words that caught my attention.
Many of you will remember when “What Would Jesus Do” or “WWJD” had a surge of popularity in the 1990s. The phrase actually became known in the early 1900s following a book by a congregationalist preacher and was revived by a youth worker who was engaging teenagers in conversations about faith and life. The question sparks conversation, and sometimes disagreements. There’s a lot we don’t know about Jesus’ daily life. And, while we do want to imitate Christ, that’s not all we are called to do as disciples and followers of Jesus. We also are called to follow his mother’s instructions, and “do whatever he tells us.”
And when we look at the imperatives or commands of Jesus, we see how listening to Him and following Him leads to greater works of God.
Just in John’s gospel we watch as Jesus calls his disciples in John 1, telling Philip, “Follow me” (1:43) Philip obeys and calls to others as they go along their way.
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells the servants, “Fill the water pots” (2:7) before he transforms the water into wine.
As news of his power travels, he tells the royal official who comes to him to plead for his sick son, “Go your way; your son lives.” (4:50) and when he meets the man at the pool near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, and heals him, Jesus says to the man, “Pick up your mat and walk.” (5:8)
Listening to Jesus and doing what he says transforms the lives of his audience. And it continues when Jesus meets a blind man and tells him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” (9:7) and again when he arrives at the tomb, and shouts, “Lazarus, come forth.” (11:43) But his commands don’t merely heal the physical brokenness of bodies, the impacts of diseases or even death, but restore the recipients of his mercy to life and relationship.
The raising of Lazarus is the last of the seven signs we are specifically told about in John’s gospel, but it isn’t the last time we hear Jesus’ commands. The ones that follow are given to his disciples; they are given to us.
In the chapters that we call “the last discourse” in Jesus’ last week, we hear him tell the disciple, “Love one another.” (13:34) And then as he predicts how he will be betrayed and handed over, he tells his followers, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (14:1, 27) and commands them, “Abide in me.” (15:4)
The commands we have from Jesus, like the commandments in the law from Moses, help us live well in relationship with God and with one another.
Mary’s words “Do whatever he tells you” center God and what God is doing in our world and invite us to listen and study what Jesus says so that we follow Jesus every day, and not only in the miraculous moments and mountain top experiences. Her words are a reminder that we have a Savior and Shepherd who leads us and expects us to follow in obedience. And it is in listening to Jesus that we know Him and knowing Jesus - which is how John defines belief – is how we are given life, and life abundant. (John 10:10)
Let us pray…
Good and gracious God,
Thank you for the abundant life we experience through your love and mercy. Thank you for giving us signs of your power and grace in Scripture and in our lives. Help us to listen well and obey the commands we have from your Son Jesus, that we would do whatever he tells us. We pray in His name. Amen.
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