John 2:6-10
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.
This passage can be interpreted from many angles. But today let’s reflect from the perspective of the servants, who are told to do what Jesus says.
There they stand before the Word, through whom all creation came into being. He could supply more wine in any number of ways. He could simply speak the wine into existence. But, no. In the same manner of his coming, Jesus chooses the lowly servants to be witnesses and partners of his first miracle. Not that he needs them, but because he wants to bless them. The servants are told to fill the six huge jars up with water. They do their best and fill them up to the brim. Then Jesus tells them to bring some of the same water they just poured into the jars and serve it to the master of the feast. Now I imagine the scene went something like this:
“You go.”
“No, you go!”
The servants know what awaits them once the master of the feast tastes the water—a good beating for wasting his time! Perhaps they draw lots, maybe even a round of “lom-chiam-pas”. In the end one servant carries that fateful cup to the master of the feast.
In slow motion, the servant watches the master raise the cup of water to his lips. He squeezes shut his eyes, bracing himself for the beating. Then to his surprise, the master of the feast calls for the bridegroom. The servant hears it all, “You have kept the good wine until now!” Then all the servants hear it. They taste the water. It’s not just any wine, but good wine.
All they did was to fill the jars to the best of their abilities. All they did was to obey Jesus’ instructions. They are now witnesses of and partakers in the first sign of the Messiah.
Sometimes what Jesus tells us to do doesn’t make sense. Most times it’s also hard work. But if we just trust and obey Him to the best of our abilities, we may be able to witness and partake in his mighty, miraculous works.
Spurgeon once said, “When you are bidden to believe in him, believe in him up to the brim. When you are told to love him, love him up to the brim. When you are commanded to serve him, serve him up to the brim.”
Reflection: Is there something Jesus is asking me to do, to obey him, to trust him for? What is holding me back from obeying him “up to the brim”?
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you that you include us in the work you are doing in this world. Help us to witness and partner in your mighty, miraculous ministry by trusting and obeying you “up to the brim”. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
This passage can be interpreted from many angles. But today let’s reflect from the perspective of the servants, who are told to do what Jesus says.
There they stand before the Word, through whom all creation came into being. He could supply more wine in any number of ways. He could simply speak the wine into existence. But, no. In the same manner of his coming, Jesus chooses the lowly servants to be witnesses and partners of his first miracle. Not that he needs them, but because he wants to bless them. The servants are told to fill the six huge jars up with water. They do their best and fill them up to the brim. Then Jesus tells them to bring some of the same water they just poured into the jars and serve it to the master of the feast. Now I imagine the scene went something like this:
“You go.”
“No, you go!”
The servants know what awaits them once the master of the feast tastes the water—a good beating for wasting his time! Perhaps they draw lots, maybe even a round of “lom-chiam-pas”. In the end one servant carries that fateful cup to the master of the feast.
In slow motion, the servant watches the master raise the cup of water to his lips. He squeezes shut his eyes, bracing himself for the beating. Then to his surprise, the master of the feast calls for the bridegroom. The servant hears it all, “You have kept the good wine until now!” Then all the servants hear it. They taste the water. It’s not just any wine, but good wine.
All they did was to fill the jars to the best of their abilities. All they did was to obey Jesus’ instructions. They are now witnesses of and partakers in the first sign of the Messiah.
Sometimes what Jesus tells us to do doesn’t make sense. Most times it’s also hard work. But if we just trust and obey Him to the best of our abilities, we may be able to witness and partake in his mighty, miraculous works.
Spurgeon once said, “When you are bidden to believe in him, believe in him up to the brim. When you are told to love him, love him up to the brim. When you are commanded to serve him, serve him up to the brim.”
Reflection: Is there something Jesus is asking me to do, to obey him, to trust him for? What is holding me back from obeying him “up to the brim”?
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you that you include us in the work you are doing in this world. Help us to witness and partner in your mighty, miraculous ministry by trusting and obeying you “up to the brim”. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.