Fill the Waterpots (John 2:7)

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.

John 2:1–7

So Many Lessons—So Little Time

I picked just three:

1. Jesus listens.
2. Do whatever he says.
3. Bring what you have.

When the wine runs out, Mary somehow knows that Jesus can help. He tells her that it’s not time, but she’s not deterred. Within minutes there’s more wine in Cana. We learn that Jesus is willing to alter his plans.

Whatever he says to you, do it, even if you don’t fully understand why. Love your enemy. Pray for those who persecute you. Forgive others. Surpass the pharisees’ righteousness. Give to him who asks. Don’t store up treasures on earth. Don’t judge. Take the log out of your eye. Ask. Seek. Knock. Enter.

And, finally, Jesus works with what we have, within the reality of our limitations. The servants have no wine; but they do have water. He doesn’t expect them to have wine or to conjure wine. They bring what they have—he transforms it. We bring what we have—he transforms it.