Sermon Tone Analysis

! Do whatever He tells you

 

*2* On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee.

Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied.

“My time has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, *“Do whatever he tells you.”*

JOHN 2 5

 

This evening we visit the wedding at Cana in Galilee and we witness that decisive event in the life and ministry of Jesus.

This narrative is unique – it involves Mary the mother of Jesus, and it marks the first of the great signs that outline for John the pattern of our Lord’s earthly ministry.

In many ways it is a strange story – not for the obvious reasons and the changing of a truly immense quantity of water into the best wine – but because of the involvement of Mary, and because of the significance that John attaches to it.

It is almost as if Mary is pushing her son into action – much as any proud parent would push a loved child into a new venture that will begin something new.

Despite what Jesus says about His time not yet having come – she acts in faith and with a remarkable vision.

“DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU…”

 

I want to approach the story in a different way from my usual method.

(I prefer to expound a passage.)

This time I am approaching the words of my text in a quite different way.

Here I am concerned to emphasise a phrase: 

 

*Do whatever he tells you *

 

I want to ask a series of questions – in the hope that by answering them honestly we may open ourselves to the same *striking transformation* that the story describes.

We have a very simple outline this evening:

 

Ø     Does Jesus speak?

Ø     What does He say?

 

Ø     What should we do?

The answers to these questions will determine whether we move on from a potential crisis to a time of unrestrained joy and celebration; whether we are left with large capacity storage jars fit only for bathing – or an incredible source of wonder and joy in our lives.

! 1.  Does Jesus speak?

I hope you have no difficulty in answering that question.

I do not say: “Do you hear Him speak?” – but “Does He speak?”

Consider the ways by which He speaks and has spoken to others and perhaps to you:

 

a.

BY THE INNER VOICE OF THE SPIRIT

 

By the moral compulsion we sometimes call *conscience.*

Do you listen to that voice?

Or has time and insensitivity dulled your senses so that that still small voice no longer is heard above the clamour of so many attention seeking voices in this corrupting world of ours?

 

b.

BY THE WRITTEN WORD OF SCRIPTURE

 

Some of us are more sensitive than others – and some of us are sensitive at times and “dull of hearing” at others.

Perhaps out of daily devotional reading?

Or the words of a text stated somewhere – either familiar or unfamiliar?

When we read the Word of God – DOES JESUS SPEAK?

 

c.

BY THE EXPOUNDED WORD OF HIS MINISTERS

 

I guess you spend a lot of time listening to people like me.

The written word is explained and applied and interpreted so that it has a meaning for TODAY and FOR YOU – whereas it is often for YESTERDAY and FOR OTHERS….

It may be that the voice of Jesus comes when you have to prepare for speaking to others – but in the Written Word – Does Jesus Speak?

 

d.

BY THE INFLEXIONS OF CIRCUMSTANCE

 

God speaks “the Spirit of Jesus” speaks – and sometimes the voice is audible and clear and it has tone and inflexion.

At other times the very pattern of our life allows Christ to speak to us.

e.

BY THE ADVICE OF CHRISTIAN FRIENDS

 

We may not be good at taking it – but is it not true that Jesus has spoken through the counsel of a friend – or even at times through the LIFE of a believing friend.

Sometimes a family member – sometimes a member of the fellowship.

Does Jesus speak to you?   Has He spoken?

Did you listen?

f.

BY THE VOICE OF A NEEDY WORLD

 

I distinguish between the noisy clamour of a sinful world – and the conversation of a world that – without God and without Christ – is calling out for answers, for hope, for wisdom – for Salvation.

Like Paul and the vision of the man of Macedonia.

g.

BY THE CONVICTING SPIRIT

 

This is a deeper voice than conscience.

A more accented voice.

Down through the ages God has – as Hebrews reminds us – spoken by the prophets

And their words echo on.

But God speaks often bringing to “every heart and mine” the words of Jesus.

Does Jesus Speak?

Do whatever He tells you!

 

 

! 2.  What does Jesus say?

The story before us provides some clues:

 

Jesus speaks to His mother – and to the servants.

In speaking to His mother he uses language that is notoriously difficult to translate – compare a few different translations and you will see how widely they differ.

Yet His words to His mother are significant.

4 “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied.

“My time has not yet come.”

NIV

4 Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine?

This isn’t my time.

Don’t push me.”

MESSAGE

 

“What to you to me?”

As Jesus speaks to His mother there is an understanding between them that is probably difficult for us to reflect – yet clearly two strands can be recognised:

 

“What is the issue here?”

“My actions are decided by the Father”

 

OR

 

Is this a valid situation for me to demonstrate my power?

My time is not yet.

When Jesus speaks His words are full of meaning – and it has to be said that the fullness of their meaning may take time and reflection to understand – but HE DOES SPEAK – and WHAT HE SAYS ADDRESSES TWO DISTINCT ISSUES:

 

o       A situation of NEED

 

o       The overall plan of His glory

 

When JESUS SPEAKS TO THE SERVANTS THE MEANING IS IMMEDIATELY CLEAR:

 

 

Jesus addresses a need, speaks authoritatively a command that carries with it a promise.

7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.”

And they filled them up to the brim.

8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.”

What He says :

 

What you must do *now* – and *presently*

 

His word is given in simple stages -

 

“Fill the waterpots with water.”

“Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.”