John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, Whatever he said to you, do it. The right path into the meaning of this saying is found in an interior view of the three states of mind represented in the little group. 1. That of Mary, who speaks. 2. Of the servants to whom she speaks. 3. And of the Saviour for whose decisive word she and they are waiting.On the part of Mary there was evidently a mixture of perplexity, impatience, reverence, and trust. The impatience was sufficiently reproved and restrained. His "woman," etc., dispelled her rising complacency, and placed her on that level of human dependence where, with all her loveliness, beauty, and sanctity, she must ever remain. Christ's word was a call for increased faith. For thirty years Mary had carried in her soul the memory of the strange events which signalized His birth, etc. As yet He had given no supernatural sign. Was it not almost the "hour?" Just at this point of uncertainty she stood, but when she looked at Him all her doubts fled, and all fears sank to rest in one resolution of trusting obedience. "Whatsoever," etc. I. Whatsoever HE saith. One voice is singled out, and that has supreme authority. Some master every human being has. There are as many masters as there are interests, tastes, passions, etc. When we come to the moral life, men are at liberty to choose as they will. "Choose now this day," etc. Choose Christ and live for ever, choose any other master and you will die. "No man can choose two masters." II. As there is but one voice of supreme authority, so THERE IS BUT ONE PRINCIPLE OF CHRISTIAN DUTY — instant, active obedience. 1. How many of the failures and miseries of life creep in between the hearing of God's command and the doing of it. Men mistake speculative for practical truth; put matters of feeling in place of action. Some problem of Providence is conjured up as if a man had a right to keep his repentance and faith waiting till he can fathom it; some obscure dogma which should be left to clear itself is set up as a stumbling-block; moods of depression and discontent; conflicting claims of family or friends, or between action and contemplation. These must be cast off and left behind, not by thinking over them, or spasmodic efforts to manufacture feeling, but by a more prompt, unremitting doing of Christ's will. Jesus saith "fill the water-pots," etc. Our homely opportunities are our water-pots. Fill them with such water as you have. Whether the water shall be made wine is for Him to decide, not us. Be about the Master's business. Go to the nearest duty. 2. Another kind of difficulty is cured by prompt obedience — indecision as to beginning to serve Christ. It is not till our part is done that the firkins are filled, that the supernatural energy will change the heart into the new creature. Believe: faith is the power: but the proof and fruit of faith is not separated from it — "Arise, and wash away thy sins;" bring forth fruit meet for repentance; bear witness to the Redeemer; have charity for one another. III. ONE OTHER WORD COMPLETES THE SCOPE OF THE LESSON. "Whatsoever." 1. What it should be, His mother and the servants did not know. It turned out no very difficult task, although it might have been. But it was a great trial of their faith. How was the water to remedy the want of wine? How are our prayers to move the Everlasting Arm? How shall bread and wine feed the heart, etc. And then there are other trials which need this bread "whatsoever" to cover them. When you begin to calculate the consequences of your obedience, when your flesh cries out that the sacrifice hurts — 1. You will want this "whatsoever." 2. What a holy power and beauty this obedience will yield in our dwellings. Draw out and bear to every guest in the Father's house. Christ takes these old and common water-pots of our mortal relationships, our household affairs and every day dispositions and employments, and then, if only we are ready with our obedience, fills them with that new wine to which He so often compares His gift of life. (Bp. Huntington.) Parallel Verses KJV: His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.WEB: His mother said to the servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it." |
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