The Doing of Obedience

Have you ever felt compelled to do something because of the pressure surrounding you at that moment? That even though you weren't quite ready to be in it, you went ahead and did what was required of you at the time because your hand was forced? Those moments are usually awkward and frustrating because usually someone is looking and waiting for us to respond, and because we do not feel prepared or know what to do, and sometimes out of fear we choose not to respond.

In John 2:1-11 we read about the first miracle Jesus performed and that was the turning of water into wine. The story is that there was a wedding taking place in Cana of Galilee in which Jesus, his mother, and his disciples were invited to attend, and they did. During the wedding, the wine ran out and Mary Jesus’ mother came to Jesus and said, "They have no wine" and Jesus then said to her 'Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come." Mary then looked at the servants and to them said "Whatever he says to you do it." Jesus then tells them to take the six stone waterpots that were sitting nearby and to fill them with water. These stone pots could each hold 20 to 30 gallons of liquid. When they had filled them with water up to the brim they were then told to “Draw some out and take it to the headwaiter” and they did. When the headwaiter tasted the water which by that point had been turned into wine, he called for the attention of the bridegroom. When the bridegroom was listening he then said to him “Every man serves the good wine first and when men have drunk freely, then that which is poorer; you have kept the good wine until now.” It goes on to say that this was the beginning of the signs of Jesus and how he manifested his glory and because of this his disciples believed in him.

This story is interesting in that it specifically says at the beginning of Chapter 2 that this was the third day when all this took place. The question though is what does that mean? Why is it important enough to even say it was the third day? If you go back a chapter you will see that this was the third day that Jesus had gone public in his ministry. He at this point had gone public so to speak only two days prior and had been busy gathering disciples. Three days into this he gets invited to a wedding along with his mother and new disciples and His mom wants him to perform His first miracle. He then as we read earlier responds with "My hour has not yet come" and yet with everyone looking on He performs this miracle. Performing this miracle was to help them with the need at the wedding of course, but in verse 11 we read there is a deeper reason for this happening and that was, so His disciples believed in him. You see the disciples at this point had decided to follow Him based on who he was, the Messiah. However, they had not seen any miracles performed yet. Through this, they were able to see his power and it strengthened their belief in him. 

For us, it is the same, for God will allow situations to come to us that we may not feel prepared or ready to handle at that moment, but we must choose to do what is required of us. There may come that door we need to walk through and because of our fear and or insecurity at the time we may not choose to walk through it which would be unfortunate for all. For each of us has to remember that doing things God's way will not always happen in our timing and or in the perfect moment where we feel completely capable and or ready. We are to remember we are never alone and it is God who is directing our paths because of that is when God's glory is manifested. Others also can believe in Him even more just like the disciples did that day, because of our willingness to obey. For Jesus' disciples that day I believe received even more confirmation that they were right by choosing to follow him. This miracle as the passage says caused them to believe in Him and that was the reason behind it. Jesus yes provided a need at that wedding and I believe he was glad He could help, but it was truly about his disciples believing in Him even more because of it that made Him do it.

For us we must remember when God asks something of us He will perform it to manifest Himself in front of others and that's what our lives are to be about. To reflect God's glory so that others will in turn believe in Him and choose to follow Him. So, when you find yourself in a situation that you do not feel quite prepared for, relax, and know God has your back and He will enable you to the very end for His glory.

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns