Do Whatever He Tells You.

John 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Having given us this grand introduction into Who this Jesus is: The Word, The Truth, The Light, The Life, and so much more, John begins to record several sermons He gave, statements He made about His identity, and special miracles He performed.  This first recorded miracle seems at first glance to be somewhat shallow or insignificant, but maybe that is the point: Are we willing to trust Jesus with the less important things of life? If we will not trust Him with those, we will not trust Him with the everlasting.  We also see here an introduction to what every miracle will require: Do whatever He tells you. Give Him full authority.  If He says: "Go wash this mud off your eyes," do so. If He says: "collect whatever food you can find," do it. If He says: "Take up your bed and get going," don't lay there and think about it. This matter of obeying Him, doing whatever He tells us, submitting to His authority, is what Jesus goes on to show by cleansing the temple and telling the religious leaders they had no right to question His authority. We need to do whatever He tells us, no matter how seemingly insignificant or how challengingly difficult.

Light, Life, Truth

John 1:9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

As John began his Gospel, seeking to fill in all the pieces and questions still had after the other three gospels, he puts together so many concepts and pictures that it is overwhelming. The first of the concepts is that Jesus is True Light.  Light is essential for life (another concept John discusses here), but at the same time we would be blinded by Pure Light if we stood before Him. Jesus Christ came in balanced form. He could be seen and heard and show the way.  Sadly, many did not and still do not accept Him as the Light that we all need.  The need for light is so obvious around us, as we still seek to know which way to go and seek to discern what the truth really is (truth is another concept in this chapter) in a world bombarding us with so many messages that are not true. Christ is still full of truth, which we often are not able to handle, but which we all still need.  That really is what John sets out to do: show us that what, really Who we need is Christ, who has the Light, Life, and Truth we all need.  Let's seek it out as we go through this book. 

Struggles, Scripture, & Servanthood

 Psalm 119

73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
    give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
    because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

86 All your commandments are sure;

    they persecute me with falsehood; help me!

87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,

    but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88 In your steadfast love give me life,

    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

94 I am yours; save me,

    for I have sought your precepts.

95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

    but I consider your testimonies.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,

    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Once again, these three stanzas of the longest psalm tie together the truth of scripture with daily life.  The psalmist has endured affliction and persecution, yet he has clung to the truth of God's Word. Its truths rise above and dig deeper than all the trials of life and are able to make us stand solid in the storms of life. In addition to this, the psalmist realizes that he has been placed in a position to be a testimony for God, as both fellow believers and opponents are watching for his response to life's problems. He knows God loves Him and he loves God and wants to show it to others.

The Difference

 Psalm 119

49 Remember your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise gives me life.

63 I am a companion of all who fear you,

    of those who keep your precepts.

64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;

    teach me your statutes!

65 You have dealt well with your servant,

    O Lord, according to your word.

66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

    for I believe in your commandments.

These quotes from the next three stanzas of this longest psalm connect learning God's Word to a whole new outlook on life.  There is a hope and comfort, a feeling that one is loved, and a sense that life is good, even when those around harass, mock, and mistreat the one who seeks after God. All of these are wrapped up in a life of pursuing God through learning and living by God's precepts, commandments, and promises.  There is a definite different in life when we take the time to be here in God's Word. 

Worldwide?

 I Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

As Peter wraps up his letter to these persecuted believers, he once again seeks to both challenge an encourage them to stand strong and trust in God.  They are to remain acutely aware of the attacks of Satan and resist the temptation to react in fear.  He then says something we may find startling: the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. In the book The Insanity of God when believers in China, the former Soviet Union, and nations dominated by oppressive Islam find that other believers also are also facing persecution, they not only are encouraged; they also commit to pray for them.  But what of those of us who face little to no persecution. Can we truly grasp these words? Or, as the book asks: Will we easily give up what so many have endured such suffering to hold on to?

Holding on to Grace

 

I Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

As Peter continues to address these believers he knows are suffering for their faith, he continues to challenge them to not live for the things of this life, but to be future-centered.  He opens the chapter talking about all the evil surrounding them and how they stick out as odd amid such wickedness. They are to pursue purity in the midst of that. In this middle paragraph he goes on to remind them to stand together in unity. As the church we together hold the grace of God in our hearts and hands, to serve one another and to shine the light in this dark world.  After what seems like a concluding benediction in verse 11, Peter goes on to remind them (and us) to make sure our suffering is indeed for Christ and not our own wrongdoing. We need to do right no matter what wrong is done to us.

Honoring Christ

I Peter 3: 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

Peter knew these believers were suffering for their faith.  He also knew that Jesus had told his followers that they should not be surprised by this.  What would motivate them to stand true to Christ? A call to honor Him with our lives: by standing firm in our faith, speaking up for His name, and living by His commands, no matter what the reaction or response we receive.  In the next paragraph he reminded them (and us) of what Christ has done for us: suffering for our sins, rising in victory, and returning to the Father where He stands by the Father on our behalf.  We will stand before Him; may we stand to honor Him now.