May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." (from the Gospel, Jesus turns water into wine) (John 2:5)

In Christ's name and to his glory, dear friends: Today we have the precious story of Jesus' first miracle. It warms our hearts to watch our Lord Jesus, acting true to his divine nature. In him all the fullness of the deity dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2). God is love, and his actions show his love and concern for the people there at the wedding. God is almighty, and his actions at the wedding show us that nothing is impossible with God.

Be careful to note that John calls what Jesus did "the first of his miraculous signs." Actually the word "miraculous" does not appear in John's written words. "This is the first of his ‘signs'." Signs are not works done to cause wonder, but works that are a sign, a teaching tool. What the sign taught is seen in the reaction..."He revealed his glory and his disciples put their faith in him." The sign did not teach them what to do should they run short of wine again someday in the future. The sign taught them who Jesus was and that his love and power was worthy of, prompted, their faith and trust. This sign, done 1000's of years ago, still has this effect on us. It prompts us to trust Jesus, to put our faith in him. It causes us to, as Mary instructed the servants, DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU. Let's spend some time with Jesus and look at his sign so we too are moved to this.

Raise no objections, dear 21^st century disciples of Jesus Christ. Do whatever he tells you. Sometimes, even often, what he commands sounds strange. We need wine, Jesus. OK, fill these pots with water. What? Excuse me? We don't need water; we need wine. So many words of scripture sound strange. Don't hide sin, if you want to be free of it, confess it. But I'll be found out, Jesus. I already know, he says to us; and I'm the only one you need to worry about knowing. Do whatever I tell you, and make no attempts to make up for your sin. But Jesus, I have some good to bring to the table. No, trust me when I say that I must be your righteousness or you will have none. Do whatever he tells you; trust him, says Mary to us today. Do whatever he tells you...find greatness by serving in lowliness...be first by letting everyone else go ahead of you...find life by dying...find strength by admitting you are weak...gain by giving away. That doesn't make sense! I know; Do whatever he tells you.

We may think we know better. I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall, listening to the servants fill the big jars. Six @ 20 gallons each...that's 120 gallons! If they had 5-gal buckets it would take 25 trips to the well! If we had been there I bet we would have heard: We could have been to the market and back already with what we really need-wine. Sometimes we might think we know better too. What I need on Sunday is some rest; so I'll sleep in. There is one thing needful and that is to make time for the Word (Luke 10:42). Do whatever he tells you. I'll take and demand then I'll have more. "You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." (Haggai 1:6). Do whatever he tells you even if you think you know better.

How can we do this-raise no objections-when what he tells us to do makes no sense? Ah, dear Christian, watch him. Listen to him.

Remember his glory, dear 21^st century disciple of Jesus Christ. Do whatever he tells you. See his divine attributes still shining out over the centuries. He is omnipotent. Nothing is impossible for him. He says a word-take some of the water to the master of the banquet. It is the best of wine. He changes water into the best of wine. Nor is his arm any shorter, his power any less, today. Do whatever he says. Call on him in the day of trouble and he will deliver you. Don't be anxious and fret at your loss or need. The Lord is your shepherd you shall not be in want. Follow, listen, cry out to him, trust him. Do whatever he tells you.

And most important, dear friend, see the glory of his grace and mercy. When Moses asked to see God's glory (Exodus 33:18), the Lord showed his glory not so that it could be caught by the eye, but so that it could be caught by the ear and heart. This is my glory: The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, ⁷maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. (Exodus 34:6,7) This is what will give us courage to do whatever he tells us...he is mercy, forgiveness, grace. In everything he asks of us, everything, he has our good in mind. He does not ask to get, but asks in order to bless, give, and serve us. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, will he ask us to do what will hurt, harm, deceive us? No! Satan does these things. The Lord's glory is good for us always. So, dear Christian, do whatever he tells you. You have seen his glory too, in the inspired words of Scripture. It makes you brave to do whatever he tells you.

And so, dear 21^st century disciples of Jesus Christ, believe, obey, and enjoy. What a wedding that must have been! I say that, not because they had the best ever wine and plenty of it. I say that because Jesus was there and people saw his glory, his love, mercy and grace. Let's join the celebration. Let's do whatever he tells us. If our sinful flesh and Satan raise objections, ignore them and focus on Jesus and his glory. He is with us who gather in his name today. He goes with us as we take up our duties in life. And we too will be blessed. Do whatever he tells you.   Amen.