Mary: The Greatest Advice

What is the best single piece of advice you have received? People are asked this question often; some will vary in their answer, and they might quote Gandhi, Will Rogers, or Mom and Dad. While there is plenty of advice worth hearing, the best advice ever given was from a mother, Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Remember, Mary comes to Jesus with a request. They are at a wedding feast in Cana; the supply of wine has diminished, and Mary requests that Jesus fix the problem. Mary would then turn to the servants of the feast and tell them, “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5). Mary might not have meant it this way, but that piece of advice is the greatest we could ever receive. Why?

If we do whatever He tells us, we will surely be blessed, not only in this life but in the life to come. If we hear Him and do as He instructs, we receive the words of eternal life (John 6:68). We provide ourselves with spiritual stability (Matt 7:24-25). We have ample examples of those who heard Jesus and acted in faith, and by their faith being made well.

When we hear Jesus, and hearing involves obedience, we receive the greatest blessing and become children of God (John 1:12). We obtain eternal life (John 5:24). We receive an advocate (1 Jn 2:1). We receive a mediator (1 Tim 2:5) and brother (Heb 2:11) who allows us to be ushered directly to God’s throne of grace (Heb 4:16). Enough could not be said about the myriad of blessings imparted from adhering Mary’s advice.

Mary was not at all wrong about her advice; it foreshadows the voice of God Himself, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Matt 17:5). If we listen to the voice of Jesus, a trademark quality of His disciples (John 10:27), then we are blessed with salvation and security (John 10:28-30). Hearing Jesus resulted in the miraculous transition of water to wine, and today, it results in the marvelous transition of lost to found, sinful to saved, and enemy to the child. May we always heed Mary’s advice: “Do whatever He tells you.”