Filled to the Brim
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“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 2:6-9).
I love the picture painted for us in the account of Jesus’ very first miracle when He turned water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. The very story of Easter is imbedded in this telling of the miracle. The thoughtful examination of the details of this amazing miracle are brought to light by author Doug Emberley in his book “Simply Water to Wine?”
Imagine the heavy, cold stone jars, laboriously filled with water by the servants. Imagine the ceremonial washing that took place as the water from these jars was poured out in cleansing rituals as the Israelites followed the rules of the old covenant to purify themselves before God.
Then imagine the wedding goers’ astonishment as Jesus called for these jugs to be filled and then changed the contents from water to rich wine! Wine is often used as a symbol of life and of the Holy Spirit throughout Scripture. Here, at Jesus very first miracle, we see the amazing symbolism of exchanging not just one element for another, but the exchanging of something much deeper. Our own efforts to become holy and clean before our loving God are exchanged for His forgiveness. His blood is the only cleansing we need. His filling of new life, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is complete and right “to the brim”.
Yes, Jesus death bought our forgiveness at the cross and His resurrection brought us new life filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. There is no room to add our own good works to try to earn the forgiveness that Jesus brings! Anything we try to add merely pollutes and displaces His blessing of grace. No. His work alone brings the new life our hearts hunger and thirst for. He fills us to the brim as we believe and receive His gift of forgiveness and allow the Holy Spirit to fill us – right to the brim of our lives!
Lord Jesus, this Easter refresh my heart with the truth of Your sacrifice in death and with a new realization of the power that is mine through Your resurrection. Thank you that what You did is complete and “filled to the brim”; I need only believe and receive. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
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Questions: Who can you share the Easter story with this year? Won’t you begin praying for them right now? Make a commitment on the blog today to pray for someone you desire to come to know Jesus life giving power and forgiveness.
About the Author Gail Rodgers
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Poured out like Water, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
i am praying for my daughter in law to know the true reason for Easter .and trying to share it but shae just does not want to hear
I’m with you Patricia! I so needed to hear that right NOW!….. manna from heaven!
I wrestle with this all the time… gotta be a better mom, gotta lose more weight, gotta tithe more, gotta pray more… makes ya want to throw in the towel!
I just love what Gail said “There is no room to add our own good works to try to earn the forgiveness that Jesus brings! Anything we try to add merely pollutes and displaces His blessing of grace.”
I am polluting the grace of God with my own works which just makes matters worse. I’ve gotta let go of me, and focus more on the work Jesus has already done, and is continuing to do!
Thank you Gail.
Wow. I needed that today. I feel “filled to the brim” with life stresses and I am boing to exchange that to being filled to the brim with Jesus’ power to refresh and renew. Thankis!
I have read this book by Doug Emberley and found it very encouraging and enlightening