Fill the Jars with Water

"On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and 2Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding as well. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus' mother told Him, "They don't have any wine." 4 "What has this concern of yours to do with Me,woman?" Jesus asked. "My hour has not yet come." 5 "Do whatever He tells you," His mother told the servants. 6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained 20 or 30 gallons. 7 "Fill the jars with water," Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then He said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the chief servant." And they did.9 When the chief servant tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from-though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom 10 and told him, "Everybody sets out the fine wine first, then, after people have drunk freely, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now."  John 2:1-10 


We are studying the Miracles of Jesus in Sunday School right now and I cannot get last week's lesson out of my head.  Jesus' first miracle--turning water into wine.


According to John's gospel Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding banquet in Cana.  There were a few villages that went by this name, but there was one village about 10 miles from Nazareth named Cana, and this is more than likely where this wedding took place.  A poor village, about to be richly blessed.  


Isn't Jesus amazing?  Does anyone else find it interesting the way He came to this earth, the people that He hung out with, the lives He seemed most interested in.....are we ashamed of being the very people that Christ Himself seemed to seek out?  The poor, lonely, hardworking, scared people, who were put down by the very people who thought they had it altogether--but missed it.  


Weddings during that time were not a one day event.  They lasted a week, sometimes more.  The groom's family usually hosted the celebration, and they were expected to serve refreshments for everyone until the feast was over.  Hospitality was a big deal.  It was an honor to be able to serve someone, it brought great pride--and not being able to show hospitality brought great shame, and sometimes a fine.  


This was a big deal, not to be taken lightly.  


In a motherly fashion, Mary "mentioned" to Jesus there was no wine.  The fact that she knew this, makes us wonder if she was part of the hostess team--but the even cooler part is, she simply told Jesus.  There was a need.  She couldn't do anything about it.  She knew the great shame this would bring to this family--so she told Jesus.  She didn't go and tell the other guests.  She didn't cause a big scene.  She simply told Jesus.  Kind of paints a picture of what we should do with our friends troubles doesn't it?  Instead of carrying them to the distribution center, for them to be shared with all the world---tell Jesus.  


Now, His response might seem a bit odd at first glance.  But "woman" in the original language was not harsh or disrespectful, it showed His affection towards her.  He was about doing God's work, He was no longer under her supervision.  He respected her, but He would only do something if it would glorify the Father.  


And then, verse 5.  Did you miss verse 5, did you read over verse 5?---- "Do whatever He tells you."  some of the greatest advice ever recorded, (given by a mother might I add)-- Do whatever He tells you.  We can use that advise everywhere.  Struggling with finances--do whatever He tells you.  Relationship problems--do whatever He tells you. Not sure what to do with your life--do whatever He tells you.  That of course means that you must be in tuned to His voice.  Reading His Scriptures, praying to Him daily.  But, I don't think that's the part most of us have trouble with.  We hear Him, we just don't DO it.  "Do whatever He tells you."  


Apparently Jesus didn't hesitate to meet the need that Mary brought to Him.  Once she shared it with Him, He turned His attention to the very servants she had just advised.  


John pointed out that the water pots had been placed there for the purpose of ceremonial purification practices--hand washing. 


He told them to fill the jars with water.  "so they filled them to the brim"  He told them--so they did it.  What happened to immediate obedience like this?  Are there some verses missing when they rationalized this in their own heads, confirmed it was crazy and walked away?  At this point, people didn't know a whole lot about this Jesus guy, and yet they didn't hesitate.  We know the rest of the story, we know that He came to seek and to save, we know that in the end He wins, and we would never had done this if we were in their position! Or we would have at least asked some questions!  


After the servants filled the pots to the brim with water, Jesus performed a miracle.  He allowed them to be a part.  After they did their part, He did His.  Look what became of their obedience.  No shame.  Great praise from the chief servant for this family saving the best wine for the end of the party.  


Jesus cares about our concerns and our struggles.  No issue or need in our lives is too small for Him, He sees how big it is to us.  


Some scholars believe there was much more symbolized here.  For instance, the banquet with no more wine represented the spiritual emptiness of the people of Israel during that time.  The wine Jesus provided symbolized the fresh joy and undefiled blessing that came knowing and following Him.  He provided far more than wine.  And yet, He seemed almost eager to stay in the shadows at this time, not drawing attention to Himself.  Yet this miracle served a valuable purpose for those most devoted to Him.  The disciples we are told were there too.  I imagine that they were close by him, being that they gave up everything to follow Him--this would have strengthened them in their walk.


The miracle at Cana helps us see that Jesus can bring the very best of our most humiliating or disappointing circumstances so that our walk with Him gives us fulfillment, and brings Him glory.  


Just on a side note, it would have taken more than one ton of grapes to make the wine that He produced out of one single act of obedience that day.  


Has it been awhile since you sat back and looked at Him with awe and wonder?  


Do whatever He tells you.  "Fill the jars with water", and then expect to be amazed.