“But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.”
John 2:5-8 NLT
This was no small ask. Fill up all these stone jars with water? We should remember that there was no running water supply piped into every home in Cana. There would have been a well close by but to fill those jars would have required some effort, to-ing and fro-ing with water carrying utensils. We’re not told how long it took, but it took a significant act of obedience. In the Amplified version of this passage of Scripture, we read, “Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim” (John 2:7). Perhaps there is guidance here about how we should be obedient to God’s instructions. Nothing half-hearted. The servants didn’t stop filling short of the top – it was to the brim, with probably excess water running down the sides. But we read next that Jesus told the servants to take some of the “water” to the person in charge of the celebrations. And again the servants were obedient.
The key for me in these verses is the act of obedience. Not just by one person, but by a group of servants, acting together to complete the Master’s instructions. We just get the bare minimum of detail in John’s account of this miracle, but we can let our minds flip to being a fly on the wall, watching what was happening. The news perhaps beginning to spread, that there was no more wine. Caterers with long faces whispering to each other. The servants rushing backwards and forwards carrying water – did the guests think that their wine glasses would be filled with that rather stale water from those water pots? Did the servants grumble a bit? I wonder what the disciples were making of all this, perhaps looking into the dregs in their wine goblets and wondering where the waiter had got to? Was Jesus there smiling to Himself?
We pilgrims probably know from experience that natural solutions to a problem are never as good as God’s remedies. Even if we have a fix, it will only be second best. But it is only God’s way that will bring about the real answer. We may be tempted to rush around and try and sort the problem, but sometimes there is a delay before the solution emerges. Jesus could have miraculously filled the water pots with water but instead He involved servants who were obedient to His instructions. God can miraculously fix our problem, but sometimes there is a delay, allowing our faith in Him to develop and flourish. Part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is patience. ”But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!“ (Galatians 5:22-23). Of course God can solve our problem instantly. Jesus did all the time, when we read how sick people were cured the moment He laid hands on them. But as we pray, we can be assured that God cares for us. Because He loves us. And we trust Him day by day with every facet of our lives.
Dear Father God. We thank You for hearing our prayers. Please help our faith to develop and doubts to disappear. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 