His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:5

Whatever. Such a wonderfully teenage phrase of dismissive ambivalence. I’ve lost track of how many times this word has been unleashed at me as a means to end a discussion or show lack of interest in any particular conversation. 

If I’m really honest, I may have muttered the word a time or two myself. And truthfully, ‘whatever’ is a good way to relieve some stress, but it’s not always the most productive turn of phrase. 

However, in scripture, this is a wonderful word of faith, affirming and declarative. So I wonder, this week, can we take the word back? 

WEDDING PARTY

To set the scene, this week’s word is uttered at a wedding. Typically a joyous event, this wedding is getting tense behind the scenes. Jesus is at the wedding with Mary, his mother. And the first thing that strikes me is how great their relationship must be if he’s accompanying her to the celebration. We can’t really know if Mary has fully grasped who her son is at this point, so for all we know, she’s taken Jesus along to see if she can introduce him to a nice Jewish girl (like many moms would if their sons were single). Scripture doesn’t tell us where Joseph is, so we can assume that’s not vital information.

Back in this culture, the bride’s family would gain or lose credibility based on how good a party they threw. Unfortunately, the wine starts running out and things are getting awkward. Mary askes Jesus to help and on the surface, he doesn’t like the idea because it’s not time for his public ministry to begin. But in a brilliant and typical mother/son exchange, Mary ignores his protests and tells the servants, in full earshot of Jesus, to do whatever he tells them. Then, I think she walks away. At least in my mind. Leaving Jesus two choices: solve the wine problem or let his mother down. 

WHATEVER

There was no way Jesus was going to disappoint Mary. And we know he turned some large jars of water into the best wine the guests had ever tasted. But it’s not Jesus’ actions I want to scrutinize, it’s Mary’s. Reading the Gospels, it’s plain to see that the disciples didn’t always fully understand who Jesus was, what he could do, or what he came to accomplish. And at different points, we can’t discern where Mary was at with her son’s extraordinary heritage. However, in this moment, it’s clear. Mary had every faith, every faith that Jesus could do what was needed. 

Was it simple for the servants to follow the instructions of two non-family members who had just given them a suggestion that could ruin the bride’s parents? Because again, running out of wine was a massive social error. This isn’t the wedding gift Mary would want to give to the new couple. And where did she put her faith? In her son. 

So, what are you facing? Is there an area where you need the Lord to bring something? Healing, a repaired relationship, finances, career? Are you able to ask the Lord to do whatever He can and then follow his lead?

That’s how we take back ambivalence and turn it into mature dedication.