What do you do when you come up against an unexpected or impossible problem? Try to fix it, panic or call for help? Mary, the mother of Jesus, models how I want to act.
At the beginning of His public ministry at age thirty, Jesus attended a wedding at Cana. Mary must have been helping at the wedding. When the wine ran out, she brought the problem to Jesus. You can read the account here John 2:1–11.
Mary said to Jesus, “They have no more wine.”
That’s it. No pleading, no explanation of how embarrassing or urgent this was, no pointing out how this might foster faith in His disciples. Just, “They have no more wine.”
To the servants she said, “Do whatever He tells you.”
Jesus told them to fill the ceremonial washing jars with water. They filled six 20-30-gallon jars to the brim. “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet,” He said.
I smile when I read this. Did the servant hold his breath when the host tasted the water? I picture his eyes sparking with relief when the master proclaimed, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
Personal Applications
- Tell Jesus the problem—not the solution.
When I bring my problems to God, I often suggest ways to solve them. There is nothing wrong with asking. But did you notice, Mary didn’t tell Jesus how to fix the problem? How could she? Jesus did something that defied imagination. When I focus on how I think He should act, I may miss the work He is doing. - Follow His instructions and leave the results with Him.
Mary didn’t supervise Jesus’ actions. She told the servants to do what He said. I’m sure His directions didn’t make sense to them. Because they obeyed, they experienced a miracle.
Trust Jesus with My Problem
Mary knew Jesus’ compassion. She trusted His love, wisdom and ability. Perhaps Jesus had miraculously multiplied food for His family in the meager years after Joseph died. Satan knew He could turn a stone into bread (Matt. 4:3). After Mary told Jesus about the need, she left the problem in His capable hands.
If Mary didn’t feel a need to tell her son how to solve the problem, why do I think I need to come up with the solution for Jesus to execute? I only need to trust and obey Him. I can’t see His spiritual power at work anymore than I can see the wind. But when I trust Him, I will witness the result.
How can you apply Mary’s example to a problem you’re facing?
Adapted from Little Women, Big God.
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“Tell Jesus the problem–not the solution”–I love that. Funny how we’re prone to suggest solutions to Him when He is the only one who sees the bigger picture and knows what’s best for everyone involved. On a side note, a former pastor pointed out that, though we see Mary later on in the gospels and Acts, these are her last recorded words: “Do whatever He tells you to do.” What a fitting message for all of us.
Barbara, I never thought about that being her last recorded word! I want to trust Him like that.
Debbie, this is brilliant!
I am so prone to “advising ” God on good solutions — and even wondering what in the world he will do if I can’t think of a good solution…
So grateful for his infinite resourcefulness!
I’m chuckling as I read your comment, Michele, because I do the same thing. When we step back and look at our actions in the bigger context… I look a bit like those on the bus Lewis’s The Great Divorce.
Debbie, great insight here. I often have Plan A and sometimes Plan B formed in my mind for the Lord in case He needs my help on things. And we both know that’s not true. My job is to follow His instructions and His job is the rest!
Karen, I do that too. I think that is why Mary’s actions really got my attention. He is patient with us!
Tell Jesus the problem not the solution. It’s like you’ve had a peak of my prayer journal. Thank you for leading me to contemplate this today.
Thank you, Lauren! 🙂
I can’t say I’d thought of Mary’s method here! Reading this passage I have tended to focus more on other aspects, but wow these are great points! Thanks for making me think today, Debbie!
I’d love to hear what you get out of that passage too. Thanks, Bethany.
I hadn’t seen this passage this way! Yes, it does teach us how to approach God with our problems. Don’t tell Him the solution! I love it. Thank you for this insightful post.
Thank you, Lynn!