Water into Wine

Now there were set there six water-pots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, 

containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, Fill the water-pots with water. John 2:6,7

During worship, on sunday, I was wondering about the water-pots which Jesus asked the servants to fill with water. 

He and His friends and family were at a wedding in which the wine had run out. 

As the servants responded to the voice of the Lord, the water was turned into wine. 

I was thinking how we are compared to,  referred to, as vessels. 

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of you hand. Isaiah 64:8

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 

Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:20,21

The scripture in John refers to vessels of stone, the scripture in Isaiah refers to vessels of clay, the scripture in Timothy refers to various types of vessels. 

The idea is... they are made from earth, by man and filled with various elements and commodities to feed, to cleanse, to heal. 

During worship, I was receiving a revelation, or a picture in my mind's eye...

I saw,  each individual being formed by the Hands of the Stone Mason to be filled with Living Water....

then in the process of our compassionate service the water is turned into wine. 

The key here is not just service but compassionate service. It is the quickening Word of the Lord which transforms the water of purification into the wine of healing and joy. 

In the process of being fashioned into a vessel of honor, the clay must be pliable and yielded to the hands of the potter. 

We often are triggered by the idea of being yielded because of the misuse we have received at the hands of dominant and cruel persons. 

When the potter is none other than the Man from Galilee we have nothing to fear about yielding. 

We may feel the pressure and not really understand the outcome?! Such wonder, joy and loving-kindness flow from the movement of His hands. Such love from His touch. 

We know He was a craftsman, a carpenter, a stone worker. We must trust the process to look forward to the outcome.

He shapes us with His touch, He speaks the Word and the waters flow into us and fill us. 

When we draw out the Living Waters, in compassion, and with a yielded, pliable heart, the water can turn into wine. 

This is where a joyful and loving expectation is stipulated.

The servants at the wedding feast just did as the Lord asked of them. Mary, His mother had told them to do as He asked.  They had an expectation which was set in motion by the wedding planner, Mary.

We often miss this: Mary, who had been deprived of her own wedding, was now designing the fulfillment of other's wedding expectations. 

Giving into other's joy and fulfillment is often key to our own break throughs. We know she released an expectation into the servants and the guests; an expectation toward Jesus. 

What did this expectation feel like? I'm sure it wasn't concrete... without a doubt or absolutely sure of the outcome. 

I think it felt a little like butterflies in the belly...a little nerve wracking but exciting nonetheless.

Remember, their service, was on the line, their occupation, their reputation was at stake. 

As we experience the joy of service to the King, as we taste the wine as Nehemiah did in service to the King; we receive a little of this expectation, we get these butterflies of hope. 

Then we go and we flow with His waters; the water becomes bubbly, royal purple and effervescent with life. 

The secret is His touch, Our yield. 

          HIS TOUCH.....OUR YIELD.