Whatever He Says “And she said, ‘According unto your words, so be it.’ And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.” Joshua 2:21 “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’ ” John 2:4-5 As we enter a new season, the hour of the Lord is nearer than it has ever been. The first miracle of Jesus’ earthly ministry was aptly at a wedding, a joyous celebration ordained by God. A covenant love is exchanged as lives are blended for the purpose of fruitfulness. In the beginning, such covenant was made between Adam and Eve (Gen. 2:24). And in the end, the Bride and Glorious Bridegroom celebrate at a marriage feast (Rev. 19:6-9). Such is the occasion of a feast in Cana. Yet the wine ran out before the festivities were to end. From the moment Mary uttered, “Be it unto me according to thy word,” (Lk. 1:38) Mary knew her son was the Son of God. And as a concerned mother, seeing the need, looked to Him, howbeit an invited guest. Six water pots of stone laid empty. Following a response to His mother that His “hour not yet come,” He gave the instruction, for surely at a wedding the wine should not run dry. I am not advocating wine in the natural, but new spiritual wine (1Cor. 15:46), which Jesus foreshadows, that is yet to be poured out in that day. “ ‘Fill the water pots with water,’ And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, ‘Draw some out now’ …. (and) that was made wine and did not know where it came from …” (John 2:7-9) The pots were large and used for purification (vs. 6) . Six is the number of man and also represents days of labor. The water from these pots was regarded as what was needed to “purify” the Jews. In obedience to the word of Jesus, the servants filled the pots with regular water. Soon the master of the feast tasted better wine and exclaimed to the bridegroom without knowing the details, “You have kept the good wine until now!” The days of man and the labors of man are coming to a close. The pots were empty. And now many feel and know the emptiness, yet the joy of coming to the “end of self” that Jesus can fill and pour out of His miraculous release through simple vessels. Jesus revealed in this first miracle that the labors and the works of man would never cleanse. They may quench a thirst (water), but it’s only by a touch of His presence that it can be turned to joy (wine). Upon us is soon a day when that which has been poured in, by reading the Word and communing with the Holy Spirit, will soon be poured forth. There is a company, seemingly in hiding, as those simple stone water pots. Yet the servant of Jesus, through His Spirit (John 16:13- 14), is pouring the water of His Word and His life within these thirsty vessels. The “hour of Jesus” is upon us. It is soon the time of being drawn out, in the greatest measure, which will reveal a hidden transformation from the natural labors to the miraculous outpouring of His joy. During this season of changes within remember, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” In Him, Pastor Sharon Carlson 1/14