Taking Authority

Concluding our celebration of Women’s Month, our final quote comes from the most famous woman of all time…Mary the mother of Jesus.

This may sound bizarre, but this quote from Mary the mother of Jesus always reminded of a scene in The Godfather Part 3, where Connie, the sister of Michael Corleone, tells her nephew Vincent, “Do it”, referring to him taking out one of their rivals. 

It’s a scene where she takes authority over a situation to protect her brother and the family. Mary the mother of Jesus speaks with that kind of authority in the above verse.

The definition of authority is a): the power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior; b): freedom granted by one in authority

So to give you some context of what’s happening in the passage of Scripture, Mary, Jesus, and His disciples were invited to a huge wedding in Cana, a town in Galilee. Unfortunately, the wine runs out and Mary takes it upon herself to inquire of the Lord and ask if there’s something He can do?  Jesus basically tells her this is not the time for me to do anything because His hour had not yet come. Now, when I think of Mary,  I usually think of her as this sweet, quiet woman who bore our Lord and Savior. But look at how she responds to the servants at the wedding in response to what Jesus replied:

Mary then went to the servers and told them, “Whatever Jesus tells you, make sure that you do it!”  –

John 2:5 The Passion Translation

Bam! Now that’s taking authority!

There are 3 things we can learn from this passage and specifically from Mary herself.

1. Mary knew the authority and power of Jesus. She wasn’t afraid to tap into it either. She asked Him specifically what he could do about the wine? She had no doubt that He could do something to change the situation.
   As believers, we should have no doubts about what Jesus can do in our situations. 
   Think of “the woman with the issue of blood” (Luke 8:42-48).  It took 12 years, but she knew that her deliverance, her solution to her 12-year problem was through Jesus Christ.
   
2. Mary used her authority.  Mary didn’t hesitate nor was she afraid to approach Jesus about the matter of the wine.  She also didn’t hesitate to tell the servants to do whatever it is that Jesus tells them to do. Mary was fully aware of Jesus’ power and authority and it gave her the freedom and confidence to address the servants.
    
3. Our faith should rest on the authority of Jesus Christ. Mary’s faith in her Son rested on knowing that all authority was given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18). By that, she could rest in knowing that the lack of wine at the wedding would be resolved.   The servants, in turn, did exactly what Jesus told them without question and a miracle took place. 

I don’t know about you, but I need to remind myself and practice by faith the authority that Jesus has given me over certain areas of my life and to realize that He is the final authority.

Be encouraged!
Stephanie