John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, Whatever he said to you, do it. I. THE RIGHT THAT MARY HAD TO SPEAK. The right of — 1. Experience. Without this speech the history of Christ's life would be sadly incomplete. Omit it, and what would our position be? (1) We should hear the voice of heaven saying, "This is My beloved Son;" (2) The voice of the Herald, "Behold the Lamb of God!" (3) The voice of the Church, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God;" (4) The voice of the world, "Never man spake like this man;" (5) The voice of friends, "The holy one of God;" (6) The voice of Justice, "I find no fault in Him."But we want to hear another voice, that of home. And here we have it from her whose lips kissed Him, whose hands caressed Him, who had Him under her eye from childhood to manhood, and her testimony is, "Whatsoever He saith," etc. 2. Modesty: What gives point and force to her words is that she is no garrulous woman, making her son the subject of constant commendation. Only this once does she testify to Him. And there was a strong call in her to speak now. Up to this time Jesus had been a private man and had belonged to herself. But henceforth He was to be the public Messiah, and her Son no longer. Mary here renounces her exclusive right to Christ, and in parting from him says, "Whatsoever," etc. 3. The tacit approval of Christ. Mothers are partial. Was, then, Mary's love too strong for her judgment? The best answer is that Christ, who was least open to flattery, did not chide her: but afterwards, in laying down the terms of discipleship, used His mother's words, "Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you." II. THE ADVICE THAT MARY GIVES. 1. It is not enough to have Christ's words. The Bible as a mere possession is either neglected altogether or treated as a charm. 2. It is not enough to study Christ's words, even with the closest attention and the firmest belief; although that is a blessed privilege. 3. The whole duty and creed of man is to do whatsoever Christ commands. To this we are pledged by the pattern prayer, and in this we have a supreme example in Christ Himself. III. HOW ARE WE TO OBEY? 1. By loving Him. 2. By aiming at the perfection that is in Him. (P. Robertson.) 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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