By:
T.W.P. Wolston, Editor
NO one can over-estimate the importance of Mary’s exhortation in John 2:5,5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. (John 2:5) “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” As soon as ever His word was obeyed, at the marriage of Cana of Galilee, it resulted in blessing.
Mary did not say, “Whatsoever I say unto you, do it;” but “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”
She never bore witness of herself, but of Christ the Lord. She was an honored vessel, “highly favored among women;” but still a woman. A sinner, needing a Saviour, like any other. As she herself said, “My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:4747And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. (Luke 1:47)). Her exhortation is clear and simple, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”
Added to this is the testimony of all the prophets. “To him give all the prophets witness” (Acts 10:4343To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)). And to this may be added the testimony of God Himself, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him” (Matt. 17:55While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)). The Holy Spirit also says, “Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 2:77Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: (Hebrews 2:7)). If it be God, He points to Christ, and says, “Hear him.” If it be the prophets, they all bear witness of Him. If it be Mary, she says, “Whatsoever he faith unto you, do it.”
Now, what does the ever-blessed Son of God say to us? He says to every inquirer of the way to the Father, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)). The Son of God does not point us to Mary; but says, “I am the way,... no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Mary, with Moses and Elias on the mount (Matt. 17) have to be overshadowed, so that we may “see no man, save Jesus only.”
Moses, Elias, and Mary are three blessed saints of God; but what comparison is there between them and the Son of God? He was the manifestation and glorious revelation of God in this world, perfect God and perfect man; they, creatures of His band―fallen creatures―but objects of divine love, and saved by the grace of God, which found its full expression in the Lord Jesus come a man into this world. “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)). It will be their glory forever that they were permitted to serve Him upon this earth, as it will be their privilege and joy to serve Him throughout eternity.
They bore witness of the Christ of God. “Hear him,” says God; “hear his voice,” says the Holy Ghost. Again, the Son of God says, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:55I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:5)). It is the goodness of God that leadeth to repentance; that gives time and opportunity for repentance; but, if the sinner refuses to repent and turn to God, what must be the awful consequence? He will meet a God of judgment, who will judge him according to his works. Solemn and awful fact “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:3131It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31)). “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Heb. 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3)). Have you, dear reader, been led by the goodness of God to repentance? If not, make haste. Delay not; for the time of His coming is at hand.
Again, we hear the Son of God speaking, and God says, “Hear ye him.” “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:14, 1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15)).
Notice these words, “even so must the Son of man be lifted, up”. Fix your eyes upon these words. That word must excludes every other way of life or salvation other than by the death of God’s own Son. We are shut up to this. It is God’s way of saving. The sinner’s works are excluded. It is, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)). The holiness of God demanded it; our sins required it; our need could be met in no other way.
Mark well His blessed words, and treasure them up in your heart, “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Here is our side, our part. It is, Look and live; believe, and be saved. It is not work, or feel; but look―believe! I look out of my miserable self to Him who died on the cross to save me, and put my trust in Him, believing that He finished the work that saves―and I have eternal life! Could anything be more simple or blessed?
Then mark the blessed source of it all; for here it is traced up to its divine source. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). Here we see the very nature of God. It is love; for “God is love.” Then we see its activity and manifestation, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” Precious fact for fallen, ruined man. Then, again, we have our part in appropriating that love and salvation: ― “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Again, in verse 36, “He that believeth on the Son HATH eternal life.”
May I ask you, dear reader, Have you believed in the Son? I do not mean a head-belief, but a heart-belief. Have you trusted Him because you have felt your need of Him? If so, He says, “You have eternal life.” You know you have it, because He says so.
But mark the awful contrast: “And he that believeth not the Son (is not subject to the Son), shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Weighty and solemn words, dear reader, for you, if from your heart you are not subject to the Son of God. E. A.