Filled to the Brim
I’ve been struggling my way through John on my own. I have discovered that I like and need the commentary, insight and forced discipline of a Bible study with homework. Forging my own way is often less than satisfying, but here I am trying to glean something from John.
A few days ago I read about Jesus’ first miracle; turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. We probably all know the story.
[Jesus’] 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." (John 2:5-7)
Pretty simple instructions. A little illogical perhaps, but simple. And what was the response? “so they filled them to the brim.” (John 2:7) To the brim! I loved that!
Unlike me when in my haste to get dinner on the table I fill glasses about ¾ full. Even in my most normal moments when I “fill” a glass or a vase or a pitcher I really don’t fill it to the brim. No one would expect me to top off their coffee by filling it to the brim…so that they have to lower their mouth to the cup to sip off the excess before even taking a drink.
I wonder what made them do it. Fill the jars to the brim.
It doesn’t appear that Jesus specified this. I doubt it was customary. What made the servants follow Jesus’ instructions so literally? Perhaps it was their nature as servants. Perhaps there was something about Jesus that made them eager for his approval. Perhaps they sensed something important was about to take place.
I don’t really know why the servants did it, but for the first time I am seeing the blessing they received.
The master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. (John 2: 9)
The servants participated in, maximized, witnessed and acknowledged Jesus’ first miracle. Isn’t that just like Jesus? To leave the all-important master of ceremonies in the dark but to reveal himself to the servants. Servants who, by the way, took Jesus quite literally.
A few days ago I read about Jesus’ first miracle; turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. We probably all know the story.
[Jesus’] 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." (John 2:5-7)
Pretty simple instructions. A little illogical perhaps, but simple. And what was the response? “so they filled them to the brim.” (John 2:7) To the brim! I loved that!
Unlike me when in my haste to get dinner on the table I fill glasses about ¾ full. Even in my most normal moments when I “fill” a glass or a vase or a pitcher I really don’t fill it to the brim. No one would expect me to top off their coffee by filling it to the brim…so that they have to lower their mouth to the cup to sip off the excess before even taking a drink.
I wonder what made them do it. Fill the jars to the brim.
It doesn’t appear that Jesus specified this. I doubt it was customary. What made the servants follow Jesus’ instructions so literally? Perhaps it was their nature as servants. Perhaps there was something about Jesus that made them eager for his approval. Perhaps they sensed something important was about to take place.
I don’t really know why the servants did it, but for the first time I am seeing the blessing they received.
The master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. (John 2: 9)
The servants participated in, maximized, witnessed and acknowledged Jesus’ first miracle. Isn’t that just like Jesus? To leave the all-important master of ceremonies in the dark but to reveal himself to the servants. Servants who, by the way, took Jesus quite literally.
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