Last night before I headed off to sleep, I was brought to John 2. In John 2, it is the account of  when Jesus went to a wedding at Cana in Galilee, where he revealed the first of his signs, and manifested his glory by taking 6 empty stone water jars, filling them with water, and turning it into wine–of the choicest wine at the party yet (they had run out).

I caught myself chewing on this piece of scripture for a while last night before dozing off, and then woke up this morning thinking about it more. Here’s verse 6-12 to get a quick summary for you.

(after Jesus arrived at the wedding party and being told that the wine had run out..)

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him. “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This the first of the signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

I couldn’t get my  mind off the fact that the servants filled the jars with water. I imagine back then that the water wasn’t as clean as it is today…so I’m envisioning 6 jars filled to the brim with dirty water. Yuck, if you ask me. The fact that the servants trusted their master to do as Jesus said, caught my attention. They filled jars with WATER. Dirty(?) water.. nothing significant. And was asked to take it to the master of the feast. It seems, as I read, that the water did not turn to wine before they drew the water out.. so the servants had to trust that the master would not be frustrated that they would bring him water.However, after they had trusted and obeyed the instruction to take what was simple/insignificant and give it to the “man in charge” the “big guy” the “master”… they witnessed Jesus’ first miracle performed while living on earth. I am sure they were honored to be the ones to draw the dirty water and present it to the “king” after they saw what happened to it! Yes? =) I know I would be.

I believe that this year (although I do believe it began last year), God is not only excited to (in an outpouring) show us who HE is, but asking us to bring our dirty water to the king. To lay down our fears and anxieties, and bring to him what we think is insignificant. He wants to take what seems simple, and turn it into the finest wine.

Again, I also see in this story, the significance of how Jesus takes the “weak to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27) Jesus continually, over and over, repeats and repeats–how he uses our WEAKNESSES to draw us to him. He uses WEAKNESS to display His power and glory. Friends..take your weaknesses to JESUS!! He wants to show you his glory and power, but without surrendering your SELF (perhaps the desire we get to make people think we are someone better than what we really are–), you give Jesus little room to work. I do this all the time, so I am not outside of this..It’s so easy to get centered on ME these days.. the “I” factor.. itunes, myspace, facebook..etc. even Wii (with 2 i’s! haha..lol) fact of the matter is..it’s not about US. It’s about HIM (JESUS) and if we don’t surrender our SELVES, then who are you worshipping? Jesus? or yourself?  “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will be also.”  (Matthew 6:21) I’m not bashing on the online sites at all..just that we gotta strip ourselves from making those things the most important in our life… the constant desire to let people know who “I” am..(side note..but we are fooling ourselves to try and define who I am is.. the true “I Am” is JESUS!..and we don’t behold that understanding) back to what I was saying, though…

Who do you treasure?

The servants took what seemed weak, to the master.. and watched it turn into wine–and then be applauded for it. They didn’t deserve the applause, and they knew it.. but that is the beauty of our life as followers of Christ. We simply GET to be the “funnel” Jesus uses to display his power…and then receive undeserved appreciation by the world (which–if we don’t give the glory back to Jesus, we can easily turn into loving ourselves again. HE’S doing it, we’re watching and worshiping and thanking Him for using us..because we deserve DEATH because of the nature of SIN we were born of..but his death on the cross so graciously SAVED US!!) =)

Listen to the still small voice. If he’s asking you to bring him the dirty water, fill those jars to the brim, and bring them to him. We gotta keep our heart in check this year, friends. He wants a WILLING vessel, and that’s all. He can use ANYTHING to do what he wills, but what JOY we get from opening our lives up to him to flow through us.

It’s all about Jesus. Don’t underestimate the power of what seems insignificant or weak. That old shack down the road could be the home of the next Billy Graham.I’m not kidding, it’s the way Jesus works! Knowledge and self approval are not ideal for Jesus.

Now let’s go make a New Year’s resloution!

Love ya’ll. =)

-H*

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