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Hello, my name is Johnny Dade and I'm a vicar in the Church of England
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Do as you are told. How many times have you heard that expression? Or indeed, used it
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Parents, teachers, I see you. Often, I know, these words are used for good reason, aren't they
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including to avert immediate danger. But at least in my experience, they can also be laced with
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exasperation. And at worst, they're a power play. You will conform or else. In today's Bible story
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this notion is turned on its head. Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding
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banquet he got to be the ultimate party guest Now Mary Jesus mother learns that the wine has run out This is a massive social faux pas Knowing that Jesus can remedy this crisis she turns to the nearby attendants and instructs them do whatever he
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tells you. But notice the dynamic here. Though he could, Jesus doesn't pull rank. This is about
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response not coercion. Obedience is inspired not demanded. Now we're sceptical of the language of
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submission and obedience today sometimes for good reason but with God there is a holy and healthy
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version of obedience that leads to human flourishing. It turns out that doing it my way
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to quote Frank Sinatra, might not always be the best option
