“This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” –John 2:11
Jesus’ mother knew who to turn to when there was a problem. In Jesus’ day, running out of wine at a wedding feast was embarrassing for the wedding hosts. Mary was somehow aware of the situation and had compassion for the wedding hosts. Not wanting to see them humiliated in front of all their guests, Mary immediately knew what to do. She turned to Jesus in the midst of the problem. She didn’t know how the problem would be solved, but she knew who could solve it, and so she left the problem in Jesus’ hands.
“Whatever he tells you, do it.” –John 2:5
That is what Mary told the servants who were serving the wedding guests—Jesus can solve this problem; do what He says.
What a powerful statement for all our lives! No matter the mess we find ourselves in, we don’t have to solve it on our own. Instead, we need to respond to the situations, problems, and needs and do what Mary did: leave the problem in Jesus’ capable hands. You don’t have to have the solution. You don’t have to have it all figured out. All you need to do is turn the situation over to Jesus and do whatever He tells you to do.
Like Mary, we must humble ourselves, present our need to Jesus, and allow Him to solve our problems the way He sees fit. We don’t have to have all the answers, nor do we need to understand the situation or why it is happening. What we do need to do is go to Jesus and allow Him to fix them according to His power and wait for Him to work.
And when we do, our faith is strengthened.
Turning the water into wine was Jesus’ first miracle and it was one of several the disciples would witness as they lived with Jesus, traveling with Him as He performed more miracles, and listening as He showed that He is the Son of God and the only way to eternal life. The miracles served as a starting point, displaying what Jesus can do in a person’s life. They not only revealed Jesus’ power and glory, but they also revealed the truth that life is complete with Jesus in it.
So, like Mary, turn your problems over to Jesus. You may not know how your marriage can be restored, your wayward child turned back to our Lord, or your finances replenished, but Jesus does. Trust Him with your problem, lay it at His feet, and “do whatever He tells you to do.”
Jesus is not too busy to attend weddings and help friends, and He is not too busy to help you, either. Use your circumstances as an opportunity to grow your faith and help you see that life with Jesus is always better than life on your own.
