Fill the jars to the brim

Devotional, week 5

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. (John 2:1-9, NIV) 

“Do whatever he tells you,” Mary told the servants at the wedding in Cana. She encouraged the servants to listen to Jesus, to hear from him for themselves. Then she got out of the way. She displayed a calm confidence that whatever Jesus told them to do would be right, because she trusted him implicitly. The servants did as Jesus told them – they filled the jars with water. They obeyed even though it probably made no sense to them. This was not a halfhearted attempt! They obeyed fully. Jesus had not asked them to do something beyond their capabilities. Filling jars was something they could do, and so they did it. They trusted the outcome to Jesus.  

What a wonderful learning curve this was for them as they saw Jesus at work through their obedience. Jesus will not ask us to do something we cannot do. He will always supply our needs when we set ourselves to be obedient. The outcome is entrusted to him. Remember that our proof of love for Christ is in obedience. Jesus said, “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.” (John 14:15, MSG) Perhaps Jesus has asked something of you, something you can do for your neighbor, or share with your colleagues at your workplace and those around you. Although you do not understand why, it is something you can do. Trust him and obey. 

Let us pray! Father, help me listen to You and obey you as Your Son, Jesus, obeyed you.