"Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained 20 or 30 gallons."
John 2:6, HCSB
So, for a moment, let's assume that we are in the middle of the estimated range on these six stone jars, and we'll call it at 25 gallons each. That totals to 150 gallons of liquid, if my math is correct. Given that number, I would like for you to imagine 150 jugs of milk and the amount of space that would take up. Also, imagine how many bowls of cereal could be prepared with the average amount in each regular size bowl (which is equivalent to the average 4-6 oz wine glass), and think about the scope. Huge, right?
Ready for a shocker? Assuming in the middle, again, with a 5 oz glass of wine, there would be enough to serve a single glass to 3,840 people from those jars. Ponder on that while you read the rest.
Those jars were set aside for ritual purification, the washing of the body to cleanse oneself before offering sacrifice or prayer. This practice has become so ingrained in the Jewish people that these stone jars were most likely considered close to, if not completely, sacred. They had a single purpose, and it was to hold blessed water that could be used to purify the flesh before a sacrifice was offered of any kind, or before the temple was entered. These would only, under the system of law at the time, be filled (or even touched) by priests or temple servants. So let's look at what happened...
We know, as Christians, that he religious elite of the day had made the law their god, rather than looking at God for the law. The filling of the jars really isn't that big a deal, but the fact that the water intended for purification was turned to wine... in some ways, Jesus defiled the purification jars (which could not possibly purify) in order to show that the law is NOT what is worthy of worship. Christ's offering to us all is vastly better, more powerful, more important, and far more desirable than what those jars could ever deliver with mere water.
Jesus tells the servants to fill them with water, and they do. And then, without missing a moment, He tells them to draw some out and take it to the chief servant (like a Maitre' D would be to us). The chief servant tastes the water, already wine, and then begins to shout praises onto the groom of the wedding. Why? Because the best... the VERY BEST... was brought out last! Usually, in that time, the best was served first so that people would lose taste concerns and inhibitions later in the evening... but this was opposite, and the very best came out last.
To put a necessary looking glass over it, the things this world has to offer are all immediate, and in our American culture, we fall to the desire for instant gratification all too often. Regardless of what the area of sin is in our lives, we all (at some point) choose the quicker path, rather than being patient for the Father to deliver us His very best! And Jesus offers just that. In another sense, this life is only the beginning, and the best is yet to come. It will begin with our end here on earth, as we transition into Heaven to be with Him for eternity.
Further, the sheer amount of the wine available draws a direct comparison to the over-abundance of Christ's love for us. There aren't many weddings today, even those over-popularized on TV, which contain 3,000+ guests, so I'm betting this wedding didn't have that many folks, either. Also noteworthy is that Jesus didn't go near the jars, and He didn't gesture at all, He just said to fill them, and then said to draw some out. Again, we see the immense amount of love that He carries for us all, in that His abundance pours into us with NO EFFORT, because that is just Who He is!
Most important, though, is what we'll cover tomorrow. A character trait that He models here, and that we should all (myself definitely included) endeavor to emulate.
God bless you all!!!
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