Be the jar

on

I heard an interesting sermon this weekend about the sign that Jesus performed during a wedding at Cana in Galilee. If you’ve attended church for as long as I have, you’ve probably heard this story. But on this day, pastor Gini Smith shared an insight that really touched my heart, so I want to share it with you! In John Chapter 2 we read that the wine had run out before the wedding celebration was over. If you’ve ever run out of provisions at a bad time (and who hasn’t), you know how this must have felt. The culture of the day dictated that the bridegroom was responsible for making sure that ample previsions were made for the wedding. Failing this would be a serious matter in Jewish culture. As the story goes, Mary, the mother of Jesus brings the problem to Jesus’ attention. After telling her that the situation has nothing to do with him, Mary tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do. Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification that could each hold twenty or thirty gallons (John 2:6). Jesus gave the servants these very simple instructions:
  1. Fill the jars with water. The servants filled the jars to the brim with water.
  2. Draw some water out and take it to the master of the feast. And they did as they were instructed.
The master of the feast tasted the wine and said that it was good wine but he didn’t know where it had come from. So, he called the bridegroom and told him that the people had already drunk freely of all the poor wine and that (he thought) the bridegroom had kept the good wine until now. Not only had Jesus turned the water into wine but he had turned it into good wine. I’m sure that it was the finest wine of all time. The disciples who were with Jesus saw what Jesus had done and believed in him. The servants who had obeyed Jesus also knew what he had done but we aren’t told what they thought about this sign. I’m guessing they must have been amazed at the very least and taken special notice of Jesus from that point on.

Now, here’s the application for your life.  As Christians, we are like the jars. Not just any jars but those that have been purified by our faith in Jesus Christ. If we fill ourselves to the brim with the living water from Jesus, which is the word of God, when we share what we’ve learned with others, his words will be like fine wine to those who freely accept it. If you find joy in filling yourself with the living water, then you’ll find much greater joy in sharing the fine wine!

Your brother in Christ,
Daniel

Comments

Post a Comment