Jesus was urging them to fill the waterpots

JESUS WAS URGING THEM TO FILL THE WATERPOTS
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
John 2:7 7Jesus said to the servants,"Fill the jars with
water"; so they filledthem to the brim.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
"whatsoeverHe Saith Unto You, Do It."
John 2:5
J.R. Thomson
As his mother knew Jesus the best, so she reverencedhim the most. She had
reasonfor thinking and for speaking as she did regarding her Divine Son. In
the words she addressedto the servants at the house where the wedding feast
was celebrated, her estimationof Jesus came forth from her lips
unconsciously. We admire her character, and we receive her testimony. The
Church takes up this her language, and addressesthose who are within the
house and those who are without, and, pointing to the Divine Lord, says,
"Whatsoeverhe saith unto you, do it."
I. THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST IS UNIQUE AND ABSOLUTE. There are
limits to the authority of all human leaders, teachers,and masters, however
wise and good, and it would be folly to bind ourselves to obey them in all
things. But it is wisdom to yield an unhesitating allegiance to our Divine Lord.
1. Forhis authority is Divine in its nature. He that honoureth the Son,
honoureth the Father who sent him.

2. His commands possessthe authority of rectitude. Herein lies the
incontrovertible ground of our obedience. Reasonand conscience
acknowledge andapprove the claims of the Lawgiverand the Law. None does
wrong who obeys Christ, even though he may thus be led into suffering and
danger.
3. To this is added the sacredauthority of love. All that Jesus has done and
suffered for us constitutes a claim upon our cheerful loyalty. "If ye love me,"
is his appeal, "keepmy commandments."
II. THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST IS UNIVERSAL IN ITS RANGE.
1. It is manifestly binding upon all his people. They are admonished to "call
no man Master;" and, at the same time, they are thus addressed:"Ye callme
Masterand Lord, and ye say well, for so I am." The word "whatsoever" may
remind us that occasions may arise when it will be very difficult to obey our
Lord's behests;such occasionswill testour fidelity and sincerity and
constancy;and they will enable us to commend ourselves to him "whose we
are and whom we serve."
2. It is truly binding upon all mankind. He is "Lord of all," because he is
Saviour of all. He claims submission and service as his right. He says to all
who hear his Word, "Come unto me;" "Learn of me;" "Follow me."
Whatsoever, then, he saith unto you, do it! Such obedience will be for your
true interest, your eternal peace and happiness. - T.
Biblical Illustrator
Six water-pots of stone.
John 2:6-9
The significance ofthe water-pots
H. Macmillan, LL. D.

I. THE USE OF OLD MATERIAL FOR NEW PURPOSE. In the natural
word vegetable life grows out of the mould of vegetable decay. The tabernacle
was constructedof Egyptian materials and many of the laws and customs had
an Egyptian form. Prophecy took shape from political circumstances. When
Christianity became the dominant religion, it absorbedall that was excellent
in previous religions. In Rome every church is built out of heathen ruins. In
short, it is an universal principle in religion to make a heavenly use of
ordinary things, just as Christ used the water-pots of the law for the first
blessing of Christianity.
II. THE CLOSE CONNECTION BETWEEN ALL PARTS OF
REVELATION as one harmonious scheme of grace. The old and new
covenants are not antagonistic but complimentary. Jesus was foretoldby
Jewishprophecy, born under the law, lived a Jew, chooseJews forHis
disciples, and conformedto Jewishcustoms. And when the two roads diverged
through Jewishunbelief it was Christianity that maintained the true tradition
as is shown in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
III. THE INSUFFICIENCYOF THE OUTWARD AND THE SUFFICIENCY
OF THE INWARD. These people were keeping the natural ordinance of God
in all its purity and also doing what the law required for their purification.
The water-pots representedthe best side of Jewishfaith and life; but their
emptiness declaredtheir insufficiency and their number and size, their
unsatisfyingness. Howeverfrequent and copious their ablutions, they could
not remove sin. The law could make nothing perfect. It did not touch the
heart. The wine of grace imparts an inward life and thoroughly cleanses
moral impurity.
IV. THE NEEDS AND PROVISION OF ATONEMENT. The wine with
which the water-pots were filled spoke eloquently in its origin — being the
sacrifice ofthe vine, the life-blood of the grape, crushed out of it when trodden
under foot of man in the winepress — of that atoning blood of Him who is the
True Vine poured forth on the cross, whichcleansesfrom all sin.
(H. Macmillan, LL. D.)

The water-pots
We are struck with severalpeculiarities of these water-pots. Theywere not
made by the potter out of clay, but were hewn by the carverout of the
compactlimestone of which the rocks in the neighbourhood were formed.
They were constructedof stone, as the ecclesiasticalcanonenjoins fonts to be,
since that material is less liable to impurity. In all likelihood, therefore, they
were not closed-upjars with a narrow orifice, as they are usually represented
in paintings, like the wine amphoras of clay which we see among the ruins of
ancient cities, such as Pompeii and Rome;but large massive stone basins or
tazzas, with wide mouths, like those which the Greeks and Romans
constructedof marble, alabaster, orporphyry for their numerous lustration,
of which we see splendid specimens in our greatart museums, and especially
in the Vatican sculpture gallery. This shape would approximate more closely
to that of the sacredlaverin the Temple, which they would doubtless take as a
model for these domestic utensils, intended to form a link of connection
betweenthe ceremonies ofpublic and private worship. Owing to their large
size and great weightthey were not movable, but were fixed in one spot, in the
hall or vestibule, or near the entrance of the house, in a position analogous to
that of the laver in the Temple, which was also a fixture. Another thing that
strikes us is the enormous capacityof these water-pots, whichwere capable of
containing from sixteento twenty-four gallons each. The frequent ablutions of
the Mosaic andof the subsequent traditional law required a large supply of
water. Vessels so massive as these must have lasted for many generations;and
there is a probability that some trace of them, or of others like them, of the
same date, may have survived down to a comparatively late period. They were
placed in the vestibule of the house and eachguest as he arrived removed his
travel stains with their contents;and large as was the quantity of waterwhich
they held, the company was so numerous that the whole six were emptied.
The water-pots in the way of Christ

C. H. Spurgeon.
An artist was painting a large picture of this marriage feast. A friend came to
see his work and his first remark was, "Whatlovely water-pots!" The painter
immediately blotted them out, saying, "I want you to look at Christ, not at the
water-pots." Whata lessonfor the teacher, "Iam determined to know
nothing among you but Jesus Christ and Him crucified." What a lessonfor
the disciple, "ConsiderJesus the Apostle and High Priest of our profession."
What a lessonto the penitent sinner, "Looking unto Jesus":not His beautiful
Church, nor His learned ministers, but Him. Fill the water-pots with water. —
About the miracle generally, note —
1. The wine was harmless, or Christ would not have made it.
2. The great quantity is accountedfor by the greatnumber of guests. At
Easternweddings often an open house is kept, and they lastseveraldays. The
miracle was simple and unostentatious, as near the course of nature as the
supernatural can go. Learn from this to do goodworks quietly and naturally.
I. THE PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN OUR LORD'S MODE OF
PROCEDURE.
1. As a rule, when Christ is about to bestow a blessing He gives a command.
The blind man was sent to Siloam; the palsied man had to stretch forth his
hand; Jairus' daughter was commanded to arise;and Lazarus to come forth.
The same principle holds goodin grace. The sinner must repent and believe,
to be saved:Zion must awake and arise before she canbe blessedand
multiplied.
2. Christ's commands are not to be questioned, but to be obeyed. Had the
servants been like modern captious critics they would have objected:that
what was wanted was not waterbut wine. And sometimes Christ's command
does not seempertinent to the point in hand. The connectionbetweenfaith
and salvationnot always apparent. Sometimes the command may seemtrivial
and some other duty preferred. But the connectionand importance must be
left with the Commander.

3. Wheneverwe geta command it is always wisdomto carry it out zealously
"up to the brim." Do not be afraid of an overplus.
4. Our earnestobedience is not contrary but necessaryto our dependence on
Christ. Faith without works is dead, being alone. To leave all to Christ is not
faith but laziness.
5. One actionalone is not sufficient. The waterwas only wateralthough the
water-pots were full. Even so after sinners and saints have done all they could,
nothing is done till Christ speaks the word of power.
6. Although human actionin itself falls short of the desired end, yet it has its
place, and God has made it necessaryby His appointment.(1) It was not
necessaryin itself that the water-pots should be filled, but it was necessary
that all should be open and above board. It was just the same with Elijah, who
filled the trenches with waterto show that there was no concealedfire.(2)It
was instructive to the servants. The masterdid not know, but the servants did.
So earnestbelievers who do the work now are those who know about it.
II. THE APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES. Letus see how to carry
out the command.
1. Use in the service of Christ such abilities as you have. Jesus chose whatwas
ready to hand. The pots and the water. So Christ employs men, not angels. If
those He chooseshave no golden chalices letthem fill their earthen vessels.
The servants improved what they had: for the water-pots were empty and
they filled them. Let the preacherimprove his gift of learning, fill his intellect
to the brim, and expect Christ to turn the waterinto wine.
2. Use such means of blessing as God appoints: Scripture study; attendance at
the means of grace, etc.
3. Use the means heartily. What is worth doing at all is worth doing well.
4. Rememberwhen you have done all you canthere is a greatdeficiency left
behind. After the most strenuous industry wateris still water.
5. Trust in Christ to do the miracle.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)
Filling the water-pots
I. THE SERVANTS.
1. Their faith was kindled by Mary's. It was apparently a foolish and
capricious thing they were askedto do. Why should they be taken awayfrom
a useful work to one of supererogation?The guests had washed, and no more
waterwas required. The first miracle thus brought out the necessityof faith
for the work of Christ.
2. Their effort was needed also;just as much in its wayas the power of Jesus:
viz., to fill the water-pots, and to draw, and to bear. The first miracle,
therefore, was wrought in accordancewith God's law of labour, in which man
cooperateswith Himself.
II. THE COMMAND OF JESUS. Notice —
1. The emptiness of the vessels,significantof —(1) The emptiness of Jewish
rites which had no efficacyin themselves.(2)The induced insufficiency
occasionedby Pharisaismwhich emptied the institutions of the Law of all
their meaning by their abuse of them. As a man by pouring waterinto a full
cup displaces some ofthe wateralready there, so by their works of
supererogationthey made the Law of none effect.(3)The emptiness of the
institutions of Judaism of the significance they once possessed. Theyhad
served their purpose. The fulness of time had come.
2. The word of Jesus indicates —(1)That He came not to destroy the Law but
to fulfil it.(2) As He Him. self did so He commands others to do: fill the water-
pots, invest the latter with its significance, put the element of truth into the
empty form, teaching and doing what it requires.

Human effort She necessarycondition of Divine help
J. S. Exell, M. A.
I. THE EXTREMITYINTO WHICH THE GUESTS WERE LIKELY TO BE
BROUGHT. l. Under this extremity the servants did not give wayto foolish
speculationor gloomy forebodings. They made Jesus acquaintedwith it.
2. Having obtained instruction from Christ they rendered a prompt and
absolute obedience. Theyoffered no suggestion. Had the thought occurred to
them they would have dismissed it. Christ is ever ready to guide the
perplexed, but demands their obedience. Had the servants partially or wholly
disobeyed there would have been no relief.
II. THE HELP WHICH WAS AFFORDED IN THEIR EXTREMITY. The
aid rendered was —
1. Appropriate. Wine was neededand wine was made.
2. Opportune. Christ did not wait until the wine had failed and the host
humbled.
3. Abundant.
4. Securedthe commendation of those who were unconscious of it.
(J. S. Exell, M. A.)
Why the water-pots were filled
I. TO REMOVE ALL APPEARANCE OF DECEPTION. Itwas not a small
quantity own at the bottom where it might have been mixed with the dregs of
wine by sleight of hand. The quantity was so greatthat there was no
possibility of collusion. The waterwas seenin the mouth of the vessels.
II. TO AFFORD A WEDDING PRESENTTO THE YOUNG COUPLE.
Jesus was no mean, stingy giver. He did things in a royal way, and symbolised

here both the qualitative and quantitative excellence ofthe gospel, the
plenteousness as wellas the powerof His redemption.
Surplus wine
Bp. Wordsworth.
The quantity of waterchanged into wine was very great — about 135 gallons
— and the true reasonofthe large surplus beyond presentneed was that there
might be in this residue — as in the twelve baskets remaining over and above
the barley loaves after the miraculous feeding — a visible and abiding proof
and recordof this mighty work;and that wheneverthe wedded pair brought
forth any of this wine from time to time, to welcome and regale any of their
friends, they themselves might be reminded and speak to others of His divine
love and powerwhich produced it; so that the effects of the miracle might
extend far beyond the time and place and circumstances ofits first operation;
and that the watermade wine might diffuse the knowledge ofthe Gospeland
become a fountain of living water for the salvationof souls. The bread of the
loaves could not be kept long; and, therefore, in that case the surplus
produced was less. But the goodwine of Cana might be preserved for many
years.
(Bp. Wordsworth.)
The secret nature of our Lord's work
Jesus did not even speak. There was no pomp of circumstance. The attention
of the guests was not arrested. The wine took its place among the ordinary
refreshment of the table.
I. CHRIST'S UNIFORM WORKWAS SO QUIET AS NEVER TO
STARTLE THE SPECTATORS.It was so with His Incarnation; His early

life; His ministry, in which He did not cry or lift up His voice;His wonderful
works, which were done in humble villages for the benefit of poor persons.
II. THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST CAME AND COMETHWITHOUT
OBSERVATION, as anartic summer steals into the very bosomof winter,
and ere the ice and snow have passedaway, bright verdure creeps over the
earth, and hosts of brilliant flowers laugh in the sunshine as if by magic. The
very essenceofGod's kingdom is secrecy. It is the kingdom of Him whose
glory is to conceala matter. The dawning of the day and of the year cometh
without Observation.
III. THE METHOD OF THIS MIRACLE AFFORDS US MUCH COMFORT
AMIDST THE ANXIETIES CAUSED BY THE DISCOVERIES AND
SPECULATIONS OF SCIENCE.Whatthough science is showing us that God
is working in nature by uniformitarian methods, and not by cataclysms!What
though it should reduce the field of the miraculous, and bring much of what
we tought were the wonders of God's supernatural dispensations within the
cycle of natural law! Such a conclusion, satisfactorilyestablished, ought not to
shake faith, because sucha method would be in entire harmony with what
Jesus has revealedof the kingdom of God in nature and in grace.
The naturalness of the miracle
Bp. Alexander.
There are many speculative difficulties about miracles. We are used to
reasoning up from them to Christ; may we not reasonfrom Him down to
them? Given a Being like Christ, and the miracles are but the fitting
framework of that Divine picture. The sick healed, the bread multiplied, the
waterturned into wine, the winds hushed, the dead raised, all these cease to be
unnatural — "His name is wonderful." Therefore the supernatural is His
natural element; supernatural works are natural to Him. For the believer the
Personof Christ witnesses to His miracles. Forthe unbeliever, the miracles
witnessedto His Person.

(Bp. Alexander.)
The governorof the feast
In primitive times the person at whose charge an entertainment was given,
was chief managerof it. He distributed to every guesthis portion. Those to
whom particular respectwas due were helped to the bestparts, and to a
largershare, as in the case ofthe mess of Benjamin. In after times this custom
was laid aside as illiberal and invidious, and the guests were allowedto help
themselves. But at these entertainments of a later age a master or governor
was usually electedby the guests, whose business it was to determine the laws
of good-fellowship, and to see that every man was duly supplied. The guests
were obliged to be in all things conformable to the commands of this
important functionary. He was calledan architriclinos, meaning literally one
who presided over an entertainment, where there were three sets of cushions
arrangedfor the guests to recline upon at table. He was not a servantwho had
charge of dishes and provisions, and appointed to serve the guests, but a
friend of the bridegroom, and was appointed by him as the chairman of the
banquet, to insure that all things should be done properly and in order. This is
clearly proved by the authority which he is seento possess,the freedom of his
conduct at the feast, and the terms of equality and intimacy upon which he
stoodto the bridegroom. The name of his office was given to the Christian
convent, erectedin Cana by the Empress Helena, which was knownfar on in
the Middle Ages as the "Holy Architriclinos."
They bear it.
At what precise point the wonderful transubstantiation took place

whether it was in the filling of the waterpots with water, or in the transferring
of their contents into smaller vessels — we are not told. There is a veil over
this as over all creative acts, and we cannot trace beginnings. Severn, the
friend of Keats, painted in Rome a picture of the Marriage ofCana; but he
did not complete it. He represents the servants in it pouring the waterout of
one vesselinto another. The waterissues from the vesselclearas crystal; but
in the are formed by its descentit is refractedinto a red colour. There can be
no doubt that the painter caught the true idea of the transformation. What the
servants drew out as waterthey receivedinto their vessels as wine.
The governorof the feast
H. W. Watkins, D. D.
A vesselwas let down into the pitcher, and was then carried to the ruler of the
feast, who would distribute the wine in it to the guests. Ruler rather than
"governor." The same Englishword should be used throughout the two
verses. Whatexact office is denoted by the Greek wordis uncertain, as it
occurs nowhere else in the Bible, and is very rare in the classicalauthors. The
chief English commentators (Alford, Wordsworth, Trench) are agreedthat he
was chosenby the guests from among their ownnumber, but this opinion has
not commanded the generalassentof scholars;and there seems more reason
to think that the personintended is what we should call the "head-waiter,"
whose duty it was to taste the viands and wines, to arrange the tables and
couches, andto be generallyresponsible for the feast.
(H. W. Watkins, D. D.)
Tasted
Bp. Ryle.

This word supplies a strong incidental argument againstthe Romish doctrine
of transubstantiation. The occasionbefore us is the only known occasionon
which our Lord changedone liquid into another. When He did so change it,
the reality of the change was at once proved by the "taste." Why is it, then,
that in the pretended change of the sacramentalwine in the Lord's Supper
into Christ's blood the change cannotbe detected by the senses?Why does the
wine after consecrationtaste like wine, just as it did before? The pretended
change of the bread and wine is contradictedby the senses ofevery
communicant, and that which contradicts our senses we are nowhere required
in God's Word to believe.
The servants knew
The guests took no part in the preparation for these miracles, did not
contribute their own shares offaith and labour, and consequently were not
aware that the heavens had been opened, and the ladder of communication
betweenheaven and earth setup in the midst of them. Their hands were idle,
and therefore their eyes were veiled. Only the servants knew, and they knew
because they had helped Christ to perform the miracle by drawing the water,
by doing what they had to do. The revelationcame to them through their
work, and was the reward of it. The secretof the Lord was with them because
they had done the will of God. And is not this true of all work which is a
revelation? It is not in idle speculation, in mere theorizing and musing, in
standing looking on with folded hands, that we understand the plans and
purposes of God, but when we enter into the field and work along with Him. It
is in doing the will of God that we know the doctrine that it is of God. Doing
God's will puts a spiritual telescope into our hand, whereby we can see the
things that are unseen and eternal, which the mere eye of speculationcould
never see;or a spiritual microscope, whichenables us to see wonderful things
in God's law, which the mere eye of curiosity could never discern. The teacher
who instructs others becomes wiserhimself by so doing. Engaging in the work

of converting souls;we cansympathize with the Divine Son, who left the
Father's house and came to seek andsave that which was lost.
COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(7) Fill the waterpots.—Itis implied that the pitchers were wholly or in part
empty, the waterin them having been used for the ablutions before the feast.
The persons ordered are the servants (John 2:5). “Up to the brim” marks the
willing care with which the order was obeyed, and an expectationthrough the
household of some work to be wrought.
BensonCommentary
John 2:7-10. Jesus saith unto them — After some convenient pause, that the
failing of the wine might be the more observed;Fill the water-pots with water
— Choosing, for wise reasons, to make use of these rather than the vessels in
which the wine had before been contained: one of which reasons might be to
prevent any suspicionthat the tincture or taste of the water was in any degree
derived from any remainder of wine in the vessels. Draw out now, and bear
unto the governor — “Among the Greeks, Romans,and Jews, it was usual, at
greatentertainments, especiallymarriage-feasts,to appoint a master of
ceremonies, who not only gave directions concerning the form and method of
the entertainment, but likewise prescribedthe laws of drinking. Jesus,
therefore, ordered the wine which he had formed to be carried to the
governorof the feast, that by his judgment passedupon it, in the hearing of all
the guests, it might be known to be genuine wine of the best kind.” When the
ruler of the feasthad tastedthe waterthat was made wine, &c. — The
governorof the feast, on tasting the wine, being highly pleasedwith its flavour
and richness, but not knowing how it had been procured, addressedhimself to
the bridegroom, in the hearing of all the guests, and, commending the wine, as

far preferable to what they had been drinking, praised him for the eleganceof
his taste, and for his civility, in giving the company better wine during the
progress ofthe entertainment than at the beginning of it, which showedthat
he did not grudge the quantity they might use. This declarationof the
governor, no doubt, surprised the bridegroom, who knew nothing of the
matter, and occasionedaninquiry to be made about it. It is reasonable,
therefore, to suppose, that the servants were publicly examined, and the
company receivedan accountof the miracle from them. For it is expressly
said, that by it Jesus manifestedhis glory, that is, demonstratedhis powerand
character, to the convictionof the disciples, and of all the guests. The
expressionin the tenth verse, οτανμεθυσθωσι, here rendered, when men have
well drunk, though it may sometimes signify to drink to excess, yetfrequently
in Scripture, and sometimes in other writings, denotes no more than to drink
sufficiently, or to satisfaction:and “it would be very unjust and absurd to
suppose it implies here, that these guests had alreadytransgressedthe rules of
temperance. None can seriouslyimagine the evangelistto be so destitute of
common sense as to representChrist as displaying his glory by miraculously
furnishing the company with wine to prolong a drunken revel. It is much
more reasonable to conclude, that it signifies here, (as it does Genesis 43:34;
Song of Solomon 5:1; Haggai1:6, in the Septuagint,) only to drink so freely as
innocently to exhilarate the spirit. And even this, perhaps, might only be the
case with some of them, and particularly not of those who, drawn by a desire
to converse with Jesus, might be but lately come in.” — Doddridge.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
2:1-11 It is very desirable when there is a marriage, to have Christ own and
bless it. Those that would have Christ with them at their marriage, must invite
him by prayer, and he will come. While in this world we sometimes find
ourselves in straits, even when we think ourselves in fulness. There was want
at a marriage feast. Those who are come to care for the things of the world,
must look for trouble, and count upon disappointment. In our addresses to
Christ, we must humbly spreadour case before him, and then refer ourselves
to him to do as he pleases. In Christ's reply to his mother there was no
disrespect. He used the same word when speaking to her with affectionfrom
the cross;yet it is a standing testimony againstthe idolatry of after-ages,in

giving undue honours to his mother. His hour is come when we know not what
to do. Delays of mercy are not denials of prayer. Those that expect Christ's
favours, must observe his orders with ready obedience. The way of duty is the
way to mercy; and Christ's methods must not be objectedagainst. The
beginning of Moses'miracles was turning waterinto blood, Ex 7:20; the
beginning of Christ's miracles was turning water into wine; which may
remind us of the difference betweenthe law of Moses andthe gospelofChrist.
He showedthat he improves creature-comforts to all true believers, and make
them comforts indeed. And Christ's works are all for use. Has he turned thy
waterinto wine, given thee knowledge andgrace? it is to profit withal;
therefore draw out now, and use it. It was the best wine. Christ's works
commend themselves even to those who know not their Author. What was
produced by miracles, always was the bestin its kind. Though Christ hereby
allows a right use of wine, he does not in the leastdo awayhis own caution,
which is, that our hearts be not at any time overchargedwith surfeiting and
drunkenness, Lu 21:34. Thoughwe need not scruple to feastwith our friends
on proper occasions,yet every socialinterview should be so conducted, that
we might invite the Redeemerto join with us, if he were now on earth; and all
levity, luxury, and excess offendhim.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
With water- This was done by the servants employed at the feast. It was done
by "them," so that there might be no opportunity of saying that the disciples
of Jesus had filled them with wine to produce the "appearance"ofa miracle.
In this case there could be no deception. The quantity was very considerable.
The servants would know whether the "wine" or "water" had been put in
these vessels. It could not be believed that they had either the power or the
disposition to impose on others in this manner, and the waywas therefore
clearfor the proof that Jesus had really changedwhat was knownto be water
into wine.
To the brim - To the top. So full that no wine could be poured in to give the
appearance ofa mixture. Further, vessels were usedfor this miracle in which
wine had not been kept. These pots were never used to put wine in, but simply

to keep"water" in for the various purposes of ablution. A large number was
used on this occasion, becausethere were many guests.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
7, 8. Fill … draw … bear—directing all, but Himself touching nothing, to
prevent all appearance ofcollusion.
Matthew Poole's Commentary
Either the waterwas defiled by some persons washing in it, or else the vessels
were not full. Our Lord commands them to be filled (the water pots, not wine
vessels)
with water, pure water;he commands them all to be filled by the servants,
who could attestthe miracle, that there was nothing in the vessels but pure
water. Here was no new creature to be produced; he doth not therefore
command the production of wine out of nothing; but only the transformation
of a creature already existent into a creature of another kind. The servants
dispute not his command, nor ask any reasonof his command, but yield that
ready and absolute obedience which we all of us owe to Divine precepts. They
fill them, and so full that they could hold no more.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Jesus saithunto them,.... To the servants that waitedat the feast,
fill the waterpots with water. The Ethiopic version adds, "to their brims", as
they did. Christ chose the waterpots, and not the vessel, or vessels, orbottles,
now empty, out of which they had drank their wine; that it might not be said
that there was any left therein, which gave colourand flavour to the water:
and he ordered them to be filled with waterby the servants, that they might
take notice, and be witnesses,that that, and nothing else, was put into them;
and up to the brims, so that they could not he capable of having any other
liquor infused into them:

and they filled them up to the brim; strictly observing the orders of Christ,
and the instructions of his mother.
Geneva Study Bible
Jesus saithunto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up
to the brim.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Meyer's NT Commentary
John 2:7-8. The transformation is accomplishedin the time betweenJohn 2:7
and John 2:8.[136]
αὐτοῖς]the servants, who obeyedHim according to the direction of Mary,
John 2:5; not, as Lange’s imagination suggests, “underthe influence of a
miraculously excited feeling pervading the household.”
ΓΕΜΊΣΑΤΕ]The most natural supposition from this and John 2:6 is that the
pitchers had been empty, the water in them having been used up before the
feastbegan, and were to be filled afreshfor use after meat. Observe,
moreover, that Christ does not proceedcreativelyin His miracles, neither
here nor in the feedings.
ἕως ἄνω] This is statedfor no other purpose than to give prominence to the
quantity of the wine which Jesus miraculously produced.
ἀντλήσατε]Altogether general, without specifying any particular pitcher,—
showing that as all were filled, the waterin all was turned into wine (in
answerto Semler and Olshausen). From the nature of the case, no object is
appended, and we therefore canonly understand the generalword it. The
drawing out was done by means of a vessel(a tankard, πρόχοος, Hom. Od.

xviii. 397), out of which the master of the feastwould fill the cups upon the
table (comp. Nitzsch on Hom. Od. η. 183).
The ἈΡΧΙΤΡΊΚΛΙΝΟς, table-master(Heliod. vii. 27), in Petron. 27
triclinarches, elsewhere also calledτραπεζοποιός(Athen. iv. p. 170 D E; Beck.
Char. II. 252), is the chief of the waiters at table, upon whom devolved the
charge of the meats and drinks, and the entire arrangement of the repast. See
Walch, De architriclino, Jena 1753. Comp. Fritzsche on Sir 35:1, where he is
designatedas ἡγούμενος. He was at the same time the tasterof the meats and
drinks, and is not to be confounded with the ΣΥΜΠΟΣΊΑΡΧΟς,
modimperator, arbiter bibendi, who was chosenby the guests themselves
from among their own number (Xen. Anab. vi. 1. 30;Herm. Privatalterth. §
28, 29; Mitscherlich, ad Hor. Od. i. 4. 18).
[136]The commencementof the transformation might indeed be also placed
after the drawing out, and consequentlyafter ver. 8, so that only that portion
of water which was drawn was convertedinto wine. But the minute statement
of the number and large size of the vessels in ver. 6, by which it is manifestly
intended to draw attention to the greatnessin a quantitative point of view of
the miracle of transformation, presupposes rather that all the waterin the
pitchers was convertedinto wine.
Expositor's Greek Testament
John 2:7. The first order Jesus gives to the διακόνοις is one they may
unhesitatingly obey.—Γεμίσατε τὰς ὑδρίας ὕδατος, “Fillthe waterjars with
water,” the waterbeing specified in view of what was to follow.—καὶ ἐγέμισαν
αὐτὰς ἕως ἄνω, “and they filled them up to the brim”. The corresponding
expression, ἕως κάτω, is found in Matthew 27:51. ἕως ἔσω and ἕως ἔξω are
also found in N.T. to indicate more preciselythe terminus ad quem. In this
usage ἕως is not perceptibly different from a preposition. “Up to the brim” is
specifiednot so much to indicate the abundant supply as to suggestthatno
room was left for adding anything to the water. The servants did all their part

thoroughly, and left no apparent room for Jesus to work. Thus they became
instrumental to the working of a miracle.
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
7. Fill the waterpots]It is difficult to see the meaning of this command, if (as
some contend) only the waterwhich was drawn out was turned into wine. The
pitchers had been partially emptied by the ceremonialablutions of the
company, i.e. pouring water over their hands. Note that in His miracles Christ
does not create;He increasesthe quantity, or changes the quality of things
already existing.
to the brim] His Mother’s words (John 2:5) have done their work. Our
attention seems here to be calledto the greatquantity of waterchangedinto
wine.
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 7. - Jesus saithto them, Fill the water pets with water. And they filled
them to the brim. They had, therefore, been emptied already for the purifying
purposes and processes ofthe large party, probably suggesting that the
friends of the bridegroom were solicitous to obey the religious discipline which
was believed to be in harmony with the Divine will. The expression, ἕως ἄνω,
seems added to emphasize the quantity of wine thus provided. The miracle
took place betweenthe filling of the jars and their being drawn upon. We are
not permitted to look more closelyinto this mystery. The finger of God, the
will of the Creator, determines the result. The servants knew that they had
filled the jars with water. The next thing, and all that we know, is that the
Lord said -
Vincent's Word Studies
PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES

BRUCE HURT MD
John 2:6 Now there were six stone waterpots setthere for the Jewishcustom
of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each.
KJV - And there were setthere six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the
purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
NLT - Six stone waterpots were standing there; they were used for Jewish
ceremonialpurposes and held twenty to thirty gallons each.
for the Jewishcustomof purification: Joh 3:25 Mk 7:2-5 Eph 5:26 Heb 6:2
9:10,19 10:22
Now there were six stone waterpots setthere - Eachwould hold about 20-30
gallons.
For the Jewishcustom of purification - This refers to purification rites
associatedwith eating as described by Matthew "Then some Pharisees and
scribes *came to Jesus from Jerusalemand said, "Why do Your disciples
break the tradition of the elders? Forthey do not washtheir hands when they
eat bread.”(Matt. 15:1-2, cfMk 7:3-4+) Constable points out that "Stone pots
did not absorb moisture and uncleanness as earthenware vessels did, so they
were better containers for waterused in ceremonialwashings." (Ibid)
Blum comments that "The contrast betweenthe old order and the new way is
evident (cf. John 4:13+; Jn 7:38-39+). (Bible Knowledge Commentary)
containing twenty or thirty gallons each.
ESV Study note on stone waterpots - Archaeologistshave found large goblet-
shaped stone storage jars from this period in Jerusalemand elsewhere. The
examples were lathe-cut from sizable single blocks ofstone.

Nelson's NKJV Study Bible on the Jewishcustomof purification - Jewish
tradition required severalkinds of ceremonialwashings. StrictJews washed
their hands before a meal, betweencourses,and after the meal. This
“purifying” extended not only to washing hands, but also to washing cups and
vessels (see Mark 7:3, 4). Becausethe roads were not paved and people wore
sandals, waterwas neededfor foot washing. At a large Jewishwedding, a
large amount of water would have been required.
John 2:7 Jesus saidto them, "Fill the waterpots with water." So they filled
them up to the brim
KJV - Jesus saithunto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled
them up to the brim.
NLT - Jesus told the servants, "Fillthe jars with water." Whenthe jars had
been filled to the brim,
Fill: Joh 2:3,5 Nu 21:6-9 Jos 6:3-5 1Ki 17:13 2Ki 4:2-6 5:10-14 Mk 11:2-6 Mk
14:12-17 Ac 8:26-40
Jesus saidto them, "Fill the waterpots with water."
So they filled them up to the brim - Obedience would lead to blessing for these
servants, who would come to have insight into what Jesus had done (Jn 2:9).
This principle of obedience and increasedspiritual understanding is timeless.
Toussaintpoints out the significance ofthe phrase filled them up to the brim -
"This was important because it left no room for the addition of any solutions.
Furthermore, these waterpots had been used for waterso there would not
have been any residue of grapes in them. There was no way, humanly
speaking, in which the watercould have been made to taste like wine." (Ibid)
John 2:8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now and take it to the
headwaiter." So they took it to him
KJV - And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governorof
the feast. And they bare it.

NLT - he said, "Dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies."So
they followedhis instructions.
Draw some: Joh2:9 Pr 3:5,6 Ec 9:6
take it to the headwaiter:Ro 13:7
And He said to them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter."
Headwaitermeans “ruler of a room with three couches.”
So they took it to him
John 2:9 When the headwaitertasted the waterwhich had become wine, and
did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water
knew), the headwaitercalledthe bridegroom
KJV - When the ruler of the feasthad tastedthe waterthat was made wine,
and knew not whence it was:(but the servants which drew the waterknew;)
the governorof the feastcalledthe bridegroom,
NLT - When the masterof ceremonies tastedthe water that was now wine,
not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew),
he called the bridegroom over.
tastedthe waterwhich had become wine: Joh 4:46
but the servants who had drawn the waterknew: Joh 7:17 Ps 119:100
OBEYING JESUS LEADS
TO GREATER SPIRITUALUNDERSTANDING
When the headwaitertasted the waterwhich had become wine, and did not
know where it came from
but the servants who had drawn the waterknew - There is a very important
principle in this phrase. Obeying God is important so that we might have true
understanding of God's Word. In John 7:17 Jesus said“If anyone is willing to
do His will, he will know of the teaching, whetherit is of God or whether I
speak from Myself."

the headwaitercalledthe bridegroom
John 2:10 and said to him, "Every man serves the goodwine first, and when
the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorerwine; but you have
kept the goodwine until now.
KJV - And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth setforth good
wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse:but thou hast
kept the goodwine until now.
NLT - "Usually a host serves the best wine first," he said. "Then, when
everyone is full and doesn't care, he brings out the less expensive wines. But
you have kept the best until now!"
when the people have drunk freely: Ge 43:34 Song 5:1
but you have kept the goodwine until now: Ps 104:15 Pr9:1-6,16-18 Lu 16:25
Rev 7:16,17
KEEPING THE BEST
FOR LAST
As Ryrie says "Similarly, God's best, His Son, had now come!" At last!
and said to him, "Every man serves the goodwine first, and when the people
have drunk freely,
Diluted wine was a common beverage with meals in the culture of that day. It
had to be diluted because in the hot climate even newly made wine would
quickly ferment and imbibing it would quickly produce a drunken state (cf
comments of the Spirit filled believers in Acts 2:4,13+). So the practice was
common to dilute wine with water(from 1/3 to 1/10 wine to water). Not only
that, but wine mixed with waterwas a wayto assure purer water (there were
no water purification plants in first century Palestine!)
Our Lord's first miracle in John speaks ofthe new blessings whichcome as a
result of His presence. Wine typically speaks ofthe joy of spiritual life. With
the coming of Jesus, God's besthad arrived at last, and in contrastto Moses,

who turned waterinto blood in judgment (cf. Ex. 7:14-24), Jesus turns water
into wine in joyful celebrationof a new age.
then he serves the poorer wine -
but you have kept the goodwine until now -
As Hindson says "The symbolism is clear. The power of Christ filled the
emptiness of the waterpots and that same poweris able to fill the emptiness of
Judaistic religion."
John 2:11 This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and
manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him
KJV - This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested
forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
NLT - This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was Jesus' first display of his
glory. And his disciples believed in him.
beginning Joh 1:17 Ex 4:9 7:19-21 Ec 9:7 Mal2:2 2Co 4:17 Ga 3:10-13
did Joh 1:50 3:2 4:46
manifested Joh1:14 5:23 12:41 14:9-11,13 De 5:24 Ps 72:19 96:3 Isa 40:5 2Co
3:18 4:6
and His disciples: Joh 11:15 20:30,31 1Jn5:13
THE BEGINNING OF
JESUS'SIGNS
This beginning of His signs - The function of any sign is to point to something,
and these "great" signs were to point to the GreatestManin eternity! Sadly
the people more often focusedon the greatsign then on the greatMan! The
former could be seenwith their physical eyes, but the latter could only be seen
with spiritual eyes of one's heart! Israel's epidemic eye problem was really a
heart problem!

Signs (4592)(semeion- in depth discussionfrom sema = sign) a sign is
something that serves as a pointer to aid perceptionor insight. Semeion looks
at a miracle as proof of a point or as a means of teaching something. The
crucial thing is not the miracle, as genuine and important as it is, but the
lessonto be learned from the miracle. Thus in the NT a signspeaks ofa token
which has behind it a particular message to be conveyed. In other words, in
John's Gospel(where semeionis most concentrated)the apostle recorded
certain miracles not for the wonder they produced, but because ofthe message
they taught (Jn 20:31). A sign directs attention awayfrom its unusual nature
to the meaning and the significance it points to. It speaks ofoutward
compelling proof of divine authority. In John a sign is generally a "miraculous
sign" that points to some deeperspiritual significance in connectionwith the
event (Jn 2:11, 18). Semeiondescribes a miracle whose purpose is that of
attesting the claims of the one performing the miracle to be true.
John's uses of semeion- Jn. 2:11; Jn. 2:18; Jn. 2:23; Jn. 3:2; Jn. 4:48; Jn.
4:54; Jn. 6:2; Jn. 6:14; Jn. 6:26; Jn. 6:30; Jn. 7:31; Jn. 9:16; Jn. 10:41;Jn.
11:47;Jn. 12:18;Jn. 12:37; Jn. 20:30
Jesus did in Cana of Galilee - It is interesting that this miracles was grasped
only by Jesus'disciples, the servants present, and Jesus'mother.
Criswell- John speaks ofChrist's "miracles" as signs (semeion, Gk.). The
word stressesthe spiritual significance ofthe miracle and points awayfrom
itself to Christ who performed it. John choosessevenmajor signs to relate in
his Gospel, eachcharacteristicallypointing the way to Christ and, hence, to
some aspectof the meaning of salvation(cf. vv. 1-11;4:46-54;5:1-16; 6:1-14;
6:15-21;9:1-41; 11:1-46). John's entire Gospelis designedto convince its
readers that Jesus is the Sonof Godthrough whom one may truly live, in this
life and in eternity (20:30, 31).
Ryrie - The miracles of Jesus are calledsigns by John in order to emphasize
the significance ofthe miracles rather than the miracles themselves. They
revealedvarious aspects ofthe person or work of Christ (here His glory), and
their purpose was to encourage faith in His followers. Forthe specific signs in
this book, see Introduction under "Contents" (John 1:1 book note)

Henry Morris - This is the first of the seven great"miracles," or"signs"
(same Greek word) which John describes in order to persuade his readers to
believe in Jesus Christ (John 20:30,31). Like the other six (John 4:49-54;5:5-
9; 6:5-14; 6:16-21;9:1-7; 11:41-44), this first miracle was a miracle of creation
(as distinct from miracles of providence, which only controlrates and timing
of natural processes). Itrequired the direct creative powerof the Creator,
superseding the law of entropy to cause aninstantaneous increase of
complexity, transmuting the simple molecularstructure of waterinto the
much more complex structure of new wine.
Toussaintwrites that "This miracle is commonly viewedas a signwhich
reveals the Lord Jesus as the Creator. In this miracle He “created” wine—the
whole process ofgrowth, bearing fruit, harvest, and production of wine is
compressedinto a minuscule fragment of time." (Ref)
and manifested His glory - Notice that the purpose of the sign was to manifest
Jesus'glory. In other words this miracle of creationwould have been clear
evidence of Jesus powerand authority over Creation(water in pots).
and His disciples believed in Him - This signwas faith strengthening, for John
mentions that they had believed (at leastNathanaelbut presumably all 5 or
they would not have given up everything and followedHim). Jesus had told
Nathanaelearlier"Because Isaid to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do
you believe? You will see greaterthings than these.” (Jn 1:50+) Indeed John
alludes to the significance ofthe signs of Jesus writing
Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence ofthe
disciples, which are not written in this book;but these have been written so
that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Sonof God; and that
believing you may have life in His name.(Jn 20:30-31)
Here as Seven Signs that Jesus was Godin the Flesh
JOHN'S SEVEN SIGNS THAT
POINT TO JESUS AS THE MESSIAH

Changing Water to Wine
Jn 2:1-11
Healing RoyalOfficial's Son
Jn 4:46-54
Healing the Lame Man
Jn 5:1-15
Walking on Water (not calleda sign)
Jn 6:16-21
Healing the Man Born Blind
Jn 9:1-7
Raising Lazarus from the Dead
Jn 11:1-44
Here is Stanley Toussaint's summary of the "The Significance of the First
Sign in John’s Gospel"
The Significance
John designates this miracle as the Lord’s first sign. The fact that this is said
to be the first does awaywith the apocryphal miracles recordedin the
apocryphal Gospels. Thatit is a sign indicates there is a truth behind the
miracle, a truth greaterthan the miracle itself. The first messageby wayof a
miracle in John’s Gospeland the Lord’s ministry is this sign.
The Significance forIsrael
There is significance in the miracle first for Israel, especiallythe Israelof
Christ’s day. The wedding feastwith its new wine portrays the coming of the
kingdom. By this sign the Lord declares He is the MessiahofIsraelwho is

capable of bringing the predicted kingdom into its glorious existence. There
are a number of factors that show this is the point of the miracle: (1) The
kingdom is often portrayed in terms of a banquet, especiallya wedding feast
(Matt 8:11; 22:1–14;Luke 13:29;14:15–24;Rev19:7–9). The presence ofthe
Lord at these marriage festivities at Cana graphically pictures the coming of
the kingdom. (2) A number of references in the Old Testamentpicture the
kingdom age in terms of wine. For instance, Isaiah25:6 joins the figures of a
banquet and wine togetherto illustrate the joys of the future kingdom age. In
Isaiah27:2–6 the prophet describes Israelas God’s vineyard in the
millennium. An abundance of wine was a description often used in the Old
Testamentof the time when Abraham’s promises would be fulfilled (Gen
49:11–12;Jer31:12; Hos 2:22; 14:7; Joel2:19, 24; 3:18; Amos 9:13–14;Zech
9:15–17;10:7).
This gives significance to the lapse of wine. Not only was this a gross social
error; it was also a picture of the obsolescenceofJudaism. The old wine had
run out and Christ the Messiahwas here to bring the new. As Paul put it, “the
fullness of time” had come (Gal 4:4). The Lord used the same kind of a figure
in the parable of the wineskins (Matt 9:17; Luke 5:37–38). The Apostle John
beautifully prepared for this miracle in John 1:17: “Forthe law was given
through Moses;grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ” (NASB).
The miracle shows the old order had run its course;now was the time for a
new one.
The Significance forChristians
The significance ofthis miracle is not for Jews only; it is obviously for the
church as well. The basic truth for Christians is found in the joy of salvation.
Wine and joy are also associatedtogether. The psalmist praises God for His
generous providence in giving man “wine which makes man’s heart glad” (Ps
104:15). In a classic caseofpersonificationthe vine of Judges 9:13 objects,
“ShallI leave my new wine, which cheers Godand men, and go to wave over
the trees?” Although Westcottfails to see this miracle as an illustration of
God’s provision of joy for the Christian he does remark, “There is a Jewish
saying, ‘Without wine there is no joy’….”6

This miracle portrays not only the joy Christ brings into a person’s life but
also the abundance of joy. The Lord made between120 and 150 gallons of
wine! Not only do believers have accessto a peace that passes understanding
(Phil 4:7) and grace unbounding (Rom 5:20), but also joy unspeakable and
full of glory (1 Pet 1:8). Surely the vast supply of wine portrays both the
abundance of the kingdom age and the fullness of joy in the individual
Christian’s experience. Hymn writers have caught this aspectof the spiritual
life in various phrases and clauses—”Come we that love the Lord, and let our
joys be known…”;“He brings a poor lost sinner into His house of wine…”;
“Rejoice, give thanks, and sing…”;and a myriad more.
Finally, for the Christian there is a new life in Christ. The old is passedaway
and there is a whole new life and perspective in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).
This miracle, then, was a sign, a sign to prompt faith in Jesus as the Messiah
and to provide new life through Him, just as John states in the declarationof
the purpose of his Gospel(John 20:31). (Bibliotheca Sacra 134:533Jan77)
The Waterpots At Cana
BY SPURGEON
“Jesus saidunto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled
them up to the brim.”
John 2:7
You know the narrative. Jesus was ata wedding feastand when the wine ran
short, He provided for it right bountifully. I do not think that I should do any
goodif I were to enter upon the discussionas to what sort of wine our Lord
Jesus made on this occasion. It was wine and I am sure it was very goodwine,
for He would produce nothing but the best. Was it wine such as men
understand by that word now? It was wine, but there are very few people in
this country who eversee, much less drink, any of that beverage. Thatwhich
goes under the name of wine is not true wine, but a fiery, brandied concoction
of which I feelsure Jesus would not have tasted a drop. The fire-waters and
blazing spirits of modern wine manufacturers are very different articles from

the mildly exhilarating juice of the grape which was the usual wine of more
sobercenturies.
As to the wine such as is commonly used in the East, a personmust drink
inordinately before he would become intoxicated with it. It would be possible,
for there were casesin which men were intoxicated with wine, but, as a rule,
intoxication was a rare vice in the Savior’s times and in the preceding ages.
Had our greatExemplar lived under our present circumstances, surrounded
by a sea of deadly drink which is ruining tens of thousands, I know how He
would have acted. I am sure He would not have contributed by word or deed
to the rivers of poisonous beverages in which bodies and souls are now being
wholesale destroyed. The kind of wine which He made was such that, if there
had been no strongerdrink in the world, nobody might have thought it
necessaryto enter any protestagainstdrinking it. It would have done nobody
any harm, be sure of that, or else Jesus, ourloving Savior, would not have
made it.
Some have raised a question about the greatquantity of wine, for I suppose
there must have been no less than 120 gallons and probably more. “Theydid
not need all that,” says one, “and even of the weakestkind of wine it would be
a deal too much.” But you are thinking of an ordinary wedding here, are you
not, where there are 10 or a dozen, or a score or two, met togetherin a
parlor? An Oriental wedding is quite another affair. Even if it is only a
village, like Cana of Galilee, everybody comes to eat and drink and the feast
lasts on for a week ora fortnight. Hundreds of people must be fed, for often
open house is kept. Nobody is refused and, consequently, a greatquantity of
provision is required. Besides, they may not have consumed all the wine at
once.
When the Lord multiplied loaves and fishes, they had to eatthe loaves and
fishes directly or else the bread would grow moldy and the fish would be
putrid. But wine could be storedand used months afterwards. I have no doubt
that such wine as Jesus Christ made was as goodfor keeping as it was for
using. And why not set the family up with a store in hand? They were not very
rich people. They might sellit if they liked. At any rate, that is not my subject
and I do not intend getting into hot water over the question of cold water! I
abstain, myself, from alcoholic drink in every form and I think others would
be wise to do the same–but of this, eachone must be a guide unto himself.
Jesus Christ commencedthe Gospeldispensation, not with a miracle of
vengeance, like that of Moses who turned waterinto blood, but with a miracle
of liberality, turning waterinto wine! He does not only supply necessities, but
gives luxuries–and this is highly significant of the kingdom of His Grace. Here

He not only gives sinners enough to save them, but He gives abundantly,
Grace upon Grace. The gifts of the Covenant are not stinted or stunted–they
are neither small in quantity nor in quality. He gives to men not only the
Waterof Life that they may drink and be refreshed, but “wines on the lees
well-refined” that they may rejoice exceedingly!And He gives like a king, who
gives lavishly, without counting the cups and bottles. As to 120 gallons, how
little is that in comparisonwith the rivers of love and mercy which He is
pleasedto bestow freely out of His bountiful heart upon the most needy souls.
You may forgetall about the wine question and all about wine–bad, good, or
indifferent–the less we have to do with it the better, I am quite sure.
And now let us think about our Lord’s mercy and let the wine stand as a type
of His Grace and the abundance of it as the type of the abundance of His
Grace which He does so liberally bestow. Now, concerning this miracle, it may
well be remarked how simple and unostentatious it was. One might have
expectedthat when the greatLord of All came here in human form He would
commence His miraculous careerby summoning the scribes and Pharisees, at
least, if not the kings and princes of the earth, to see the marks of His calling
and the guarantees and warrants of His commission. Gathering them all
togetherto work some miracle before them, as Moses andAaron did before
Pharaoh, they might be convinced of His Messiahship.
He does nothing of the kind. He goes to a simple wedding among poor people
and there, in the simplest and most natural way, He displays His Glory. When
the wateris to be turned into wine; when He selects thatas the first miracle,
He does not call, even, for the master of the feast, orfor the bridegroom or for
any of the guests and begin to say, “You clearlyperceive that your wine is all
gone. Now, I am about to show you a greatmarvel, to turn waterinto wine.”
No, He does it quietly with the servants–He tells them to fill the waterpots. He
uses the baths–He does not ask for any new vessels, but uses what was there,
making no fuss or commotion. He uses water, too, of which they had
abundance and works the miracle, if I may so speak, in the most
commonplace and natural style–and that is just the style of Jesus Christ.
Now, if it had been a RomanCatholic miracle, it would have been done in a
very mysterious, theatrical, sensationalwaywith no end of paraphernalia!
But, being a genuine miracle, it is done just as nearly after the course of
Nature as the Supernatural can go. Jesus does not have the waterpots emptied
and then fill them with wine, but He goes as far with Nature as Nature will go
and uses waterto make the wine from it, therein following the processesofHis
Providences which are at work every day. When the waterdrops from Heaven
and flows into the earth to the roots of the vine and so swells out the clusters

with ruddy juice, it is through water that wine is produced. There is only a
difference as to time whether the wine is createdin the cluster, or in the
waterpots.
Our Lord does not callfor any strangers to do it, but the ordinary servants
shall bring ordinary water–andwhile they are drawing out the water, or what
appears to them to be water–the servants shall perceive that the waterhas
been turned into wine. Now, wheneveryou try to serve Jesus Christ, do not
make a fuss about it because He never made any fuss in what He did, even
when He was working amazing miracles!If you want to do a goodthing, go
and do it as naturally as you can. Be simple-hearted and simple-minded. Be
yourself. Do not be affectedin your piety, as if you were going to walk to
Heaven on stilts–walk onyour own feet and bring religion to your own door
and to your own fireside.
If you have a grand work to do, do it with that genuine simplicity which is
next akin to sublimity, for affectationand everything that is gaudy and
ostentatious, is, after all, mean and beggarly. Nothing but simple naturalness
has about it a genuine beauty. And such a beauty there is about this miracle of
the Savior. Let all these remarks stand as a kind of preface, for now I need to
draw out the principles which are hidden in my text. And then, secondly,
when I have displayed those principles, I need to show how they should be
carried out.
1. “Jesus saidunto them, Fill the waterpots with water.” WHAT ARE
THE PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN OUR LORD’S MODE OF
PROCEDURE? First, that as a rule, when Christ is about to bestow a
blessing, He gives a command. This is a factwhich your memories will
help you to establishin a moment. It is not always so, but, as a general
rule, a word of command goes before a word of power, or else with it.
He is about to give wine and the process does not consistin saying, “Let
wine be,” but it begins by a command addressedto men–“Fill the
waterpots with water.” Here is a blind man–Christ is about to give him
sight. He puts clay on his eyes and then says, “Go to the pool of Siloam
and wash.”
There is a man with his arm swinging at his side, useless–Christis going to
restore it and He says, “Stretchforth your hand.” Yes, and the principle goes
so far that it holds goodin cases where it would seemto be quite inapplicable,
for if it is a child that is dead, He says, “Maid, arise!” Or if it is Lazarus, who
by this time stinks, being four days buried, yet He cries, “Lazarus, come
forth!” And thus He bestows a benefit by a command. Gospelbenefits come
with a Gospelprecept. Do you wonder that this principle which is seenin the

miracles is seenin the wonders of His Divine Grace? Here is a sinner to be
saved. What does Christ sayto that sinner? “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
and you shall be saved.” Canhe believe of himself? Is he not dead in sin?
Brothers and Sisters, raise no such questions, but learn that Jesus Christ has
bid men believe and has commissionedHis disciples to cry, “Repent, for the
kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
“The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men
everywhere to repent.” And He bids us go and preach this Word of God–
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” But why command
them? It is His will to do so and that should be enoughfor you who call
yourself His disciples. It was so even in the olden times, when the Lord set
forth in vision His way of dealing with a dead nation. There lay the dry bones
of the valley, exceedinglymany and exceedinglydry–and Ezekielwas sentto
prophesy to them! What said the Prophet? “O you dry bones, hear the Word
of the Lord.” Is that His wayof making them alive? Yes, by a command to
hear–a thing which dry bones cannot do. He issues His command to the dead,
the dry, the helpless and, by its power, life comes. I pray you, be not
disobedient to the Gospel, for faith is a duty, or we should not read of “the
obedience of faith.”
Jesus Christ, when He is about to bless, challengesmen’s obedience by issuing
His royal orders. The same thing is true when we come awayfrom the
unconverted to Believers. When God means to bless His people and make
them blessings it is by issuing a command to them. We have been praying to
the Lord that He would arise and make bare His arm. His answeris, “Awake,
awake, O Zion.” We ask that the world may be brought to His feetand His
reply is, “All poweris given unto Me in Heaven and in earth. Go you therefore
and teachall nations, baptizing them.” The command is, to us, the vehicle of
the blessing!If we are to have the blessing of converts multiplied and
Churches built up, Christ must give us the gift–it is altogetherHis gift, as
much as it was His to turn the waterinto wine–yet, first of all, He says to us,
“Go and proclaim My salvationunto the ends of the earth,” for thus are we to
fill the waterpots with water. If we are obedient to His command, we shall see
how He will work–how mightily He will be with us and how our prayers shall
be heard!
That is the first principle that I see here–Christissues commands to those
whom He will bless. Secondly, Christ’s commands are not to be questioned,
but to be obeyed. The people need wine and Christ says, “Fill the waterpots
with water.” Well, now, if these servants had been of the mind of the captious
critics of modern times, they would have lookedat our Lord a long while and

objectedboldly–“We do not need any water!It is not the Feastof
Purifications, it is a wedding feast! We do not require waterat a wedding! We
shall need waterwhen we are going up to the synagogue, orto the Temple,
that we may purify our hands according to our custom–but we do not need
waterjust now–the hour, the occasionandthe fitness of things call for wine.”
But Mary’s advice to them was sound–“WhateverHe says to you, do it.”
Thus, too, let us neither question nor quibble, but do His bidding straight
away. It may sometimes seemthat Christ’s command is not pertinent to the
point in hand. The sinner, for instance, says, “Lord, save me! Conquer my sin
in me.” Our Lord cries, “Believe,” andthe sinner cannot see how believing in
Jesus will enable Him to getthe mastery over a besetting sin! There does not,
at first sight, appear to be any connectionbetweenthe simple trusting of the
Savior and the conquestof a bad temper, or the getting rid of a bad habit such
as intemperance, passion, covetousness,orlying. There is such a connection,
but remember, whether you cansee the connectionor not, it is yours, “not to
reasonwhy,” but yours to do what Jesus bids you do, for it is by way of the
command that the miracle of mercy will be worked!
“Fill the waterpots with water,” though what you need is wine! Christ sees a
connectionbetweenthe water and the wine, though you do not. He has a
reasonfor the pots being filled with water, which reason, as yet, you do not
know–itis not yours to ask an explanation, but to yield obedience!You are, in
the first instance, to just do what Jesus bids you, as He bids you, how He bids
you and because He bids you! And you shall find that His commandments are
not grievous and in the keeping of them there is a greatreward.
Sometimes these commands may even seemto be trivial. They may look as if
He trifled with us. The family was in need of wine. Jesus says, “Fillthe
waterpots with water.” The servants might have said, “This is clearly a mere
putting off of us and playing with us. Why, we would be better employed in
going round to these poor people’s friends and asking them to contribute
another skin of wine! We would be much better employed in looking for some
shop where we could purchase more–to sendus to the wellto fill those huge
waterpots that hold so much waterseems altogethera piece of child’s play.”
I know, Brothers and Sisters, that sometimes the path of duty seems as if it
could not lead to the desiredresult. We want to be doing something more–that
something more might be wrong, but it looks as if we could, thereby, complete
our designmore easily and directly and so we hanker after this uncommanded
and, perhaps, forbidden course. And I know that many a troubled conscience
thinks that simply to believe in Jesus is too little a thing. The deceitful heart
suggestsa course which looks to be more effectual. “Do some penance!Feel

some bitterness! Weepa certain amount of tears!Goadyour mind, or break
your heart!” So cries carnal self! Jesus simply commands, “Believe.”It does
appear to be too little a thing to be done, as if it could not be that eternallife
would be given upon putting your trust in Jesus Christ–but this is the
principle we need to teachyou–that when Jesus Christis about to give a
blessing, He issues a command which is not to be questioned, but to be obeyed
at once. If you will not believe, neither shall you be established, but if you are
willing and obedient, you shall eat the goodof the land. “WhateverHe says
unto you, do it.”
The third principle is this–wheneverwe geta command from Christ it is
always wisdom to carry it out zealously. He said, “Fill the waterpots with
water,” and they filled them up to the brim. You know there is a wayof filling
a waterpotand there is another way of filling it. It is full and you cannotheap
it up, but still, you can fill it up till it begins almostto run over–until the liquid
trembles as if it must surely fall in a crystal cascade!It is a filling fullness. In
fulfilling Christ’s commands, my dear Brothers and Sisters, let us go to their
widest extent. Let us fill them up to the brim! If it is, “Believe,”oh, believe
Him with all your might! Trust Him with your whole heart! If it is, “Preach
the Gospel,” to you men, preachit in seasonand out of seasonand preach the
Gospel–the whole ofit. Fill it up to the brim! Do not give the people a half
Gospel. Give them a brimming-over Gospel!Fill the vessels up to the very
brim.
If you are to repent, ask to have a hearty and a deep repentance–fullto the
brim. If you are to believe, ask to have an intense, absolute, childlike
dependence, that your faith may be full to the brim. If you are bid to pray,
pray mightily– fill the vesselof prayer up to the brim! If you are to searchthe
Scriptures for blessing, searchthem from end to end! Fill the Bible-reading
vesselup to the brim! Christ’s commands are never meant to be done in a
half-hearted manner. Let us throw our whole soul into whateverHe
commands us, even though, as yet, we cannot see the reasonwhy He has given
us the task. Christ’s commands should be fulfilled with enthusiasm and
carried out to the extreme, if extreme is possible.
The fourth principle is that our earnestactionin obedience to Christ is not
contrary to our dependence upon Him, but it is necessaryto our dependence
upon Him. I will show you that in a moment. There are some Brothers, I
know, who say, “Ha! You hold what you call ‘revival services’and you try to
arouse men by earnestappeals and exciting addresses. Do you not see that
God will do His own work? These efforts are just your trying to take the work
out of God’s hands. The proper way is to trust in Him and do nothing!” All

right, Brother. We have your word for it–that you trust in Him and do
nothing. I take the liberty not to be so very certain that you trust Him, for if I
remember who you are and I think I have been to your house–youare about
the most miserable, desponding, unbelieving person that I know!You do not
even know whether you are saved, yourself, nine times out of ten!
Well now, I think you should hardly come and cry yourself up for your faith.
If you had such a wonderfully greatfaith, there is no doubt, whatever, that
according to your faith it would be unto you. How many have been added to
your Church through your doing nothing this year–thatblessedChurch of
yours where you exercise this blessedfaith without works? How many have
been brought in? “Well, we do not have very many additions.” No, and I think
you are not likely to have! If you go about the extensionof the Redeemer’s
Kingdom by inaction, I do not think that you go the way to work which Jesus
Christ approves!
But we dare to say to you that we who go in for working for Christ with all
our heart and soul, using any means within our reachto bring men in to hear
the Gospel, feelas much as you do that we cannotdo anything at all in the
matter apart from the Holy Spirit and we trust in God, I think, almostas
much as you do, because our faith has produced rather more results than
yours has done! I should not wonder if it turns out that your faith without
works is dead, being alone, and that our faith, having works with it, has been
living faith, after all.
I will put the case thus–Jesus Christsays, “Fill the waterpots with water.” The
orthodox servant says, “My Lord, I fully believe that You canmake wine for
these people without any water and, by Your leave, I will bring no water. I am
not going to interfere with the work of God. I am quite certain that You do
not need our help, gracious Lord. You canmake these waterpots be full of
wine without our bringing a single bucket of waterand so we will not rob You
of the Glory of it. We will just stand back and wait for You. When the wine is
made, we will drink some of it and bless Your name. But meanwhile we pray
You excuse us, for pails are heavy carrying and a goodmany must be brought
to fill all those waterpots. It would be interfering with the Divine work and so
we would rather take our ease.”
Do you not think that servants who talkedso would prove that they had no
faith in Jesus at all? We will not say that it would prove their unbelief, but we
will saythat it looks very much like it. But look at the servantthere who, as
soonas Jesus commands, “Fill the waterpots with water,” says, “Ido not
know what He is doing. I do not see the connectionbetweenfetching this
waterand providing the feastwith wine, but I am off to the well. Here, hand

me a couple of pails. Come along, Brother. Come along and help fill the
baths.” There they go and sooncome joyfully back with the water, pouring it
into the troughs till they are full up to the brim! Those seemto me to be the
believing servants who obey the command–not understanding it, but
expecting that, somehow or other, Jesus Christ knows the way to work His
own miracle! By our earnestexertions we are not interfering with Him, dear
Friends! Far from it. We are proving our faith in Him if we work for Him as
He bids us work and trust in Him, alone, with undivided faith.
The next principle I must lay equal stress upon is this–our action, alone, is not
sufficient. That we know, but let me remind you of it again. There are these
waterpots, these troughs, these baths–they are full and could not be fuller.
What a spilling of water there is! You see that in their trying to fill them the
waterruns over here and there. Well, all these six great baths are full of
water. Is there any more wine, for all that? Not a drop. It is waterthat they
brought, nothing but water and it remains water, still. Suppose that they
should take that water into the feast? I am half afraid that the guests would
not have thought coldwater quite the proper liquid to drink at a wedding!
They ought to have done so, but I am afraid they were not educatedin the
schoolof total abstinence. Theywould have said to the master of the feast,
“You have given us goodwine and wateris a poor finish for the feast.” I am
sure it would not have done. And yet water it was, depend upon it! And
nothing else but water when the servants poured it into the pots. Even so,
after all that sinners can do and all that saints can do, there is nothing in any
human effort which can avail for the saving of a soul till Christ speaks the
Word of Power. WhenPaul has planted and Apollos watered, there is no
increase till God gives it! Preachthe Gospel, labor with souls, persuade,
entreat, exhort–but there is no powerin anything that you do until Jesus
Christ displays His Divine might. His Presence is our power! Blessedbe His
name, He will come and if we fill the waterpots with water, He will turn it into
wine! Only He can do it and those servants who show the most alacrity in
filling up the waterpots are among the first to confess thatit is He, alone, who
can perform the deed!
And now the last principle here is that although human action, in itself, falls
short of the desired end, yet it has its place and God has made it necessaryby
His appointment. Why did our Lord have these waterpots filled with water? I
do not say that it was necessarythat it should have been done. It was not
absolutely necessaryin itself, but in order that the miracle might be all open
and above board it was necessary, forsuppose He had said, “Go to those
waterpots and draw out wine”? Those who watchedHim might have said that

there was wine there, already, and that no miracle was worked. When our
Lord had them filled up with water, there remained no room for any wine to
be hidden away. It was just the same as with Elijah, when, in order to prove
that there was no concealedfire upon the altar at Carmel, he bade them go
down to the sea and bring waterand pour it upon the altar and upon the
victim till the trenches were filled.
He said, “Do it a secondtime,” and they did it a secondtime. And he said, “Do
it a third time,” and they did it a third time and no possibility of deception
remained. And so, when the Lord Jesus bade the servants fill the waterpots
with water, He put it beyond all possibility that He should be chargedwith
deception–andthus we see why it was necessarythat they should be filled with
water. Moreover, it was necessarybecause itwas so instructive to the
servants. Did you notice, when I was reading it, that the master of the feast,
when he tastedthe goodwine, did not know where it came from? He could not
make it out and he uttered an expressionwhich showedhis surprise, mingled
with his ignorance. But it is written, “The servants which drew the water
knew.”
Now, when souls are convertedin a Church, it happens much in the same way
with certain of the members who are goodpeople, but they do not know much
about the conversionof sinners. They do not feel much joy in revivals. In fact,
like the elder brother, they are rather suspicious of these wild characters
being brought in–they considerthemselves to be very respectable and they
would rather not have the lowestof people sitting in the pew with them. They
feel awkwardin coming so near them. They know little about what is going
on. “But the servants which drew the waterknew”–thatis to say, the earnest
Believers who do the work and try to fill the waterpots know all about it!
Jesus bade them fill the vessels with wateron purpose so that the men who
drew the watermight know that it was a miracle.
I guarantee you if you bring souls to Christ, you will know His power! It will
make you leap for joy to hear the cry of the penitent and mark the bright
flash of delight that passes overthe new-born Believer’s face when his sins are
washedawayand he feels himself renewed!If you want to know Jesus
Christ’s miraculous power, you must go and–not work miracles–but just draw
the waterand fill the waterpots. Do the ordinary duties of Christian men and
women–things in which there is no power of themselves, but which Jesus
Christ makes to be connectedwith His Divine working and it shall be for your
instruction and your comfort that you had such work to do! “The servants
which drew the waterknew.” I think that I have saidenough upon the
principles which lie concealedwithin my text.

II. You must have patience with me while I try to apply these principles to
practicalpurposes. LET US SEE HOW TO CARRY OUT THIS DIVINE
COMMAND, “Fillthe waterpots with water.” First, use in the service of
Christ such abilities as you have. There stoodthe water pots–sixof them and
Jesus usedwhat He found ready to His hand. There was waterin the well–our
Lord also used that. Our Lord is accustomedto employ His own people and
such abilities as they have rather than angels ora novel class ofbeings created
fresh for the purpose.
Now, dear Brothers and Sisters, if you have no golden chalices, fill your
earthen vessels.If you cannot consideryourselves to be goblets of rarest
workmanship in silver, or if you could not liken yourselves to the best Sevres
ware, it does not matter–fill the vessels whichyou have. If you cannot, with
Elijah, bring fire from Heaven, and if you cannot work miracles with the
Apostles, do what you can! If you have no silver and gold, yet such as you
have, dedicate to Christ. Bring water at His bidding and it will be better than
wine! The most common gifts can be made to serve Christ’s purpose. Just as
He took a few loaves and fishes and fed the crowdwith them, so will He take
your six waterpots and the water and do His wine-making! Thus, you see, they
improved what they had, for the waterpots were empty and they filled them.
There are a goodmany Brothers here from the College tonight and they are
trying to improve their gifts and their abilities. I think you do right, my
Brothers. But I have heard some people say, “The Lord Jesus does not need
your learning.” No, it is very likely that He does not, any more than He
needed the water. But then He certainly does not need your stupidity and your
ignorance and He does not need your rough, uncultivated ways of speaking!
He did not seek forempty pitchers on this occasion–He wouldhave them full
and the servants did well to fill them. Our Lord today does not need empty
heads in His ministers, nor empty hearts. So, my Brothers, fill your waterpots
with water!Work awayand study awayand learn all you can and fill the
waterpots with water.
“Oh,” somebodywill say, “but how are such studies to lead to the conversion
of men? Conversionis like wine and all that these young fellows will learn will
be like water.” You are right! But still, I bid these students fill the waterpots
with waterand expect the Lord Jesus to turn the waterinto wine. He can
sanctify human knowledge so that it shall be useful to the setting forth of the
knowledge ofJesus Christ. I hope that the day has gone by when it is so much
as dreamed that ignorance and coarseness are helpful to the Kingdom of
Christ. The greatTeacherwould have His people know all that they can know

and especiallyknow Himself and the Scriptures that they may setHim forth
and proclaim His Gospel. “Fillthe waterpots with water.”
Next, to apply this principle, let us all use such means of blessing as God
appoints. What are they? First, there is the reading of the Scriptures. “Search
the Scriptures.” Searchthem all you can. Try to understand them. “But if I
know the Bible, shall I be, therefore, saved.” No, you must know Christ
Himself by the Spirit. Still, “fill the waterpots with water.” While you are
studying the Scriptures you may expect the Savior will bless His own Word
and turn the water into wine. Then there is attendance upon the means of
Grace and hearing a Gospelministry. Mind you, fill that waterpot with water.
“But I may hear thousands of sermons and not be saved.” I know it is so, but
your business is to fill this waterpotwith waterand while you are listening to
the Gospel, Godwill bless it, for, “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the
Word of God.” Take care to use the means which God appoints.
Since our Lord has appointed to save men by the preaching of the Word, I
pray that He will raise up those who will preach without ceasing, in season
and out of season, indoors and in the streets. “But they won’t be savedby our
preaching.” I know that. Preaching is the water–andwhile we are preaching,
God will bless it and turn the waterinto wine. Let us distribute religious
books and tracts. “Oh, but people won’t be savedby reading them.” Very
likely not, but while they are reading them, Godmay bring His Truth to
remembrance and impress their hearts. “Fill the waterpots with water.” Give
awayabundance of tracts! Scatterreligious literature everywhere. “Fill the
waterpots with water,” and the Lord will turn the water into wine.
Remember the Prayer Meeting. What a blessedmeans of Grace it is, for it
brings down powerfor all the works ofthe Church–fill that waterpotwith
water! I have not to complain of your attendance at Prayer Meetings, but oh,
keepit up, dear Brothers and Sisters!You can pray. Blessedbe His name, you
have the spirit of prayer. Pray on! “Fill the waterpots with water” and in
answerto prayer, Jesus will turn it into wine. Sunday schoolteachers, do not
neglectyour blessedmeans of usefulness. “Fillthe waterpots with water.”
Work the Sunday schoolsystemwith all your might. “But it will not save the
children merely to getthem togetherand teach them of Jesus. We cannotgive
them new hearts.” Who said that you could? “Fill the waterpots with water.”
Jesus Christ knows how to turn it into wine and He does not fail to do it when
we are obedient to His commands.
Use all the means, but take care that you use those means right heartily! I
come back to that part of the text–“And they filled them up to the brim.”
When you teachthe young ones in the Sunday school, teachthem well. Fill

them to the brim! When you preach, dear Sir, do not preach as if you were
only half awake–stiryourself up–fill your ministry to the brim! When you are
trying to evangelize the community, do not attempt it in a half-hearted way, as
if you did not care whether their souls were savedor not–fill them to the
brim–preach the Gospelwith all your might and beg for power from on high!
Fill every vesselto the brim! Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.
Nobody ever yet served Christ too well. I have heard that in some services
there may be too much zeal, but in the service of Christ you may have as
much zeal as you will and yet not exceed, if prudence is joined with it. “Fill the
waterpots with water” and sincere work and it shall be for your instruction
and your comfort that you had such work to do! “The servants which drew
the waterknew.” “Fillthe waterpots with water” and fill them to the brim. Go
in for doing goodwith all your heart and soul and strength!
Further, in order to apply this principle, be sure to remember, when you have
done all that you can do, that there is a greatdeficiency in all that you have
done! It is wellto come awayfrom tract-distributing and Sunday school
teaching and preaching and go home and geton your knees and cry, “Lord, I
have done all that You have commanded me and yet there is nothing done
unless You give the finishing touch! Lord, I have filled the waterpots and
though I could only fill them with water, yet I have filled them to the brim.
Lord, to the bestof my ability I have soughtto win men for You! There
cannot be a soul saved, a child converted, or any Glory brought to Your name
by anything I have done, in and of myself–but, my BlessedMaster, speak the
miracle-working Word and let the waterwhich fills the vessels blush into
wine! You can do it, though I cannot. I castthe burden upon You.”
And this leads me to the last application of the principle, which is–trust in
your Lord to do the work. You see, there are two ways of filling waterpots.
Suppose these people had never been commanded to fill the waterpots and
their doing it had had no reference to Christ whatever? Suppose that it had
been a freak of their own imagination and they had said, “These people have
no wine, but they shall have a bath if they like and so we will fill the six
waterpots with water”? Nothing would have come of such a proceeding. There
would have stood the water. The Eton schoolboysaid, “The conscious water
saw its God and blushed”–a truly poetic expression–butthe conscious water
would have seenthe servants and would not have blushed. It would have
reflectedtheir faces upon its shining surface and nothing more would have
happened.
Jesus Christ Himself must come and, in presentpower must work the miracle.
It was because He had commanded the servants to fill the waterpots with

waterthat, therefore, He was bound, if I may use such an expressionof our
free King–bound to turn it into wine, for otherwise He would have been
making fools of them and they, also, might have turned round and said, “Why
did You give us such a command as this?” If, after we have filled the
waterpots with water, Jesus does not work by us, we shall have done what He
bade us and, if we believe in Him, I make bold to say that He is bound to come
through for, though we should be losers and dreadful losers, too, if He did not
display His power, we would have to lament, “I have labored in vain and
spent my strength for nothing.” Yet we should not be such losers as He would
be, for straightwaythe world would affirm that Christ’s commands are
empty, fruitless, idle!
It would be declaredthat obedience to His Word brings no result. The world
would say, “You have filled the waterpots with waterbecause He told you to
do it. You expectedHim to turn the waterinto wine, but He did not do it.
Your faith is vain! Your whole obedience is vain and He is not a fit Masterto
be served.” We should be losers, but He would be a greaterloser, for He
would lose His Glory. For my part, I do not believe that a goodword for
Christ is ever spokenin vain. I am sure that no sermonwith Christ in it is
ever preachedwithout results. Something will come of it–if not tonight, or
tomorrow–something will come of it. When I have printed a sermon and seen
it in the volume, I have, before long, been delighted to hear of souls savedby
its means. And when I have not printed, but only preached a discourse, I have
still thought something will come of it.
I preachedChrist. I put His saving Truth into that sermon and that Seed
cannot die! If it shall lie in the volume for years, like the grains of wheatin the
mummy’s hand, it will live and grow and bear fruit! Forinstance, I have
heard, but lately, of a soul brought to Christ by a sermon that I preached 25
years ago!I hear almost every week ofsouls having been brought to Christ by
sermons preachedat Park Streetand ExeterHall and the Surrey Gardens
and, therefore, I feel that God will not let a single faithful testimony fall to the
ground. Go on, Brothers!Go on filling the waterpots with water!Do not
believe that you are doing much when you have done your utmost. Do not
begin to congratulate yourselves on your past success.All must come from
Christ–and it will come from Christ!
Do not go to the Prayer Meeting and say, “Paulmay plant and Apollos may
water, but”–and so on. That is not how the passageruns! It says just the
contrary and runs thus–“Paulplants, Apollos waters, but God gives the
increase.”The increase is surely given by God where the planting and sowing
are rightly done! The servants fill the water pots–the Masterturns the water

into wine. The Lord grant us Grace to be obedient to His commands–
especiallyto that command, “Believe and live!” and may we meet Him in the
marriage feastabove to drink of the new wine with Him foreverand ever.
Amen and amen!
BRIAN BELL
John 2:1-12 1-25-09 “Enology!” (the science ofWine)
I. INTRO:A. Sanctity of Human Life Sunday: The ConsequencesofRoe v.
Wade decision? 49,915,603 totalAbortions since 1973 (Stat:NationalRight To
Life) - Watch 30 sec YouTube. B. The text is as follows:The child's future is a
broken home. He will be abandoned by his father. His single mother will
struggle to raise him. Despite the hardships he will endure, this child will
become the first African Amer President. Tag line, Life:Imagine the Potential
1. The pro-life road that lies aheadof us is full of challenges!a) Facts:
Abortion is legaluntil the moment of birth in all 50 states(Dobsonasked, “Is
there any fundamental diff betweena baby who resides in his mother’s uterus
& one who has made an 8” journey down the birth canal?”);There are
between1 & 2 million couples waiting to love & care for an adopted child. b)
Fetus’are a Living (state of existing); Human (DNA, unborn child is fully
human); Person(an individual human being). C. Defendthe cause of the weak
& fatherless;maintain the rights of the poor & oppressed. Rescuethe weak &
needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Ps. 82:3,4 1. To do? - Wear
“Precious Feetpin” (exact size/shape unborn baby’s @ 10 weeks);Volunteer
time at Birth Choice of Temecula;Support these groups $; Share your
convictions to your children & grandchildren; Donate Pro-life books, DVD’s,
or fetal models to your locallibraries & schools. 2. This pastFriday: Pres,
Obama quietly ended the Bush administrations ban on giving federal $ to int.
groups that perform abortions. 3. Now more than ever is a time for Christians
to Pray: For our President, our nation, & the protectionof human life. Let’s
Pray!
D. Intro: Rarestbottle of wine ever sold purchased by Christopher Forbes for
$160,000. 1. It was an unmarked greenglass bottle w/the inscription of 1787
Lafitte Th. J. (thought to be owned by Thomas Jefferson), found behind a wall
in Paris. 2. Yet, the world’s finest wine was not made in the vineyard’s of

France (nor Temecula)nor was it servedin the finest international
restaurants. 3. It was made & servedat an unpretentious wedding in Cana of
Galilee, 2000 years ago.And that wine is valued to this day, not for its rarity,
but for what it reveals about its maker...Jesus Christ! a) Last week, Jesus the
Jeweler, able to see diamonds in the rough (5 disciples). b) This week, Jesus
the Vintner/Winemaker, able to turn waterinto wine.
1
II. ENOLOGY!(The Science ofWine) A. THE WINEMAKER/VINTNER!
(11) B. The beginning of signs - Gospelof John uses sign rather than miracle.
1. Signs servedas authentication for Jesus’nature & mission. 2. A sign is a
miracle that points beyond itself to a major truth about God, made known
through Jesus Christ.
C. (11) Other sources outside the bible, saythat Jesus performed miracles
when He was a child. This refutes that..this was the beginning of
signs/miracles.
D. INVITATION TO THE WINEMAKER! (1,2)E. First miracle is in a home.
Jesus brings joy to a home. 1. Very dry wedding w/o Jesus!(Wine represents
joy in OT) F. Change water(ordinary) into wine(life in the spirit). “Lord, less
water& more wine in my life.”
G. Weddings were a prolonged feastusually lasting 7 days.
H. COOPERATING WITHTHE WINEMAKER! (3-5) I. (3) Mary can’t
solve the problem herself. She takes her problem to Jesus!
J. I believe we should be followers ofMary! [Protestants, neverput Mary
down, she is Jesus mother!!! Instead, point our Catholic friends to follow what
she says!] 1. Mary doesn’t have a lot of words in Scripture...but here they are.
2. Lk 1:34 “how can this be?”{didn't understand Gabriel, regarding her being
pregnant} 3. Lk1:34 38 “Beholdthe maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me
according to your word”{to Gods messengerGabriel...submission}4. Lk1:46-
55 Mary’s Magnificat“My soul magnifies the Lord, & my spirit has rejoiced
in God my savior.” 5. Lk.2:48 Jesus at 12 “Son, why have You done this to us?
Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He saidto them,
“Why did you seek Me? Didyou not know that I must be about My Father’s
business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to
them.” K. Here in Jn.2:5 mary says, WhateverHe says to you, do it! 1. These
are the last words recordedby Mary - That’s why I said we should be
followers of Mary. (Like when Paul said “be an imitator of me”) 2. Weird:
After 30 years, Jesus nevervindicated His mom. (It was a virgin birth!)

2
L. (5) Whatever He says to you, do it! - [J.Sidlow Baxter mom wrote fly-leaf of
Bible, 16th b-day] 1. Moms, what a greatlife-motto for your children. 2. But it
really is a great life-motto for ALL of us! a) Our obedience is to be Entire -
WhateverHe says, speaksofscope & range. b) Our obedience is to be
Exclusive - Whatever He says, to the exclusionof all others, if they differ from
Him. c) Our obedience is to be Specific - WhateverHe says to you, do it. Not
just something like it, or something part-way, or something supposedly
equivalent… but IT!1 3. Let whatever He says to you, do it be our governing-
motto for: your choice in your career;love; dating; marriage.
M. FERMENTATION IS A PROCESS!(4, 6-8)N. (4) My hour has not yet
come - Jesus, neverearly, never late: 1. 7:20 Therefore they sought to take
Him; but know one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. 2.
8:20 These words Jesus spoke inthe treasury, as He taught in the temple; and
no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come. O. Then, the hour
that mattered for eternity! 1. 12:23 The hour has come that the Sonof Man
should be glorified. 2. 12:27,28 Now My soulis troubled, and what shall I say?
‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
Father, glorify Your name.” 3. 17:1 Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your
Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, P. Here, He opens up His hour! (6-8)
Q. Apparently a large wedding feast:As Jesus made approx 6 waterpots; @
20/30 gallons a piece = 150 gallons. At servings of 1 cup each, this would
provide 2,400 servings (& the feasthad been underway for some time)
R. (7,8)3 Aspects of obedience from the servants:1. They obeyedImmediately
- and they filled them up. 2. They obeyedCompletely - They filled them, to the
brim. (nothing added; changed!) 3. They obeyed Successivelyeachnew
instruction as it came: fill, draw, take it.
3
1 Richard Baxter; Awake My Heart; pg.21
S. WINE TESTING & QUALITY CONTROL!(9,10)T. (9,10)Masterof the
feast- Among the Greeks, atall formal feasts, there was a symposiarchwho
was one of the guests, and was selectedto take charge of the feast. It was his
duty to preserve order, to maintain liveliness among the guests, to assigneach
one his proper place, to decide which proportion of watershould be mixed
with the wine, how much eachof the company was to drink...and the tasting of
the wine before it was offered to the guests.
U. (11) Signs - So if a sign is a miracle that points beyond itself to a major
truth about God, made known through Jesus Christ. What is being

representedhere? 1. It Represents How IsraelFailed! a) Israel’s wine had run
out, the people’s supply was emptied, yet their Messiahstoodtheir to help
them. b) The 6 waterpots were usedfor ceremonialcleansing but the Jewish
ceremonies couldnot help the spiritually bankrupt nation. It was w/o Joy &
w/o Hope. c) The people had external ceremonies, but they had nothing to
satisfy them within.
2. It Represents How a Sinner is Saved! a) Thirsty Crowd - a goodpicture of
the world today. They’re tasting the worlds pleasures, but eventually their
temporary fulfillment runs out.2 b) Empty Waterpots - Representing the
human heart, which is hard & empty. Paul calls us vessels.The sinners life
may look goodon the outside but God sees it empty & useless unless He is able
to work a divine miracle. c) Filled w/Water - It’s not our job to save souls, but
it is our job to give people the Word(water)& let Christ perform the miracle
of salvation. d) Water to Wine - When the sinner’s heart has been filled w/the
Word, then Christ can perform the miracle & bring joy. (1) The Law came
thru Moses;in OT waterwas turned into blood [Judgment] (2) Grace &
Truth came though Jesus;in NT waterturned into wine. [Joy] e) The 3rd Day
- Miracle was performed on 3rd day; Christ rose on the 3rd day; Also 3rd day
is Tuesday, consideredto be a day of blessing because 3rd day in creation
account, only day it says, “It is Good!” Twice!f) The Beginning of Miracles -
Salvationis the beginning of miracles.
3. It Represents How to Serve Christ! a) As servants, they knew where the
wine came from(9), but the “important people” didn’t. When you serve Christ
you learn His secrets. You move beyond servant
4
2 Warren Wiersbe Outlines of the NT
status, “No longerdo I callyou servants, for a servant does not know what his
master is doing; but I have calledyou friends, for all things that I heard from
My FatherI have made known to you.” Jn.15:15
4. It Represents How God savedsinners by sending His Son! a) God savedthe
best for last,...His Son! - Like the parable of the Vinedresserin Mark 12.
Vinedresserwanted to receive fruit from His field; senta servant (was
rejected)sent another; & many more (beating some, killing some), finally it
says, Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also senthim to them last,
saying, ‘They will respectmy son.’
5. It Represents the Blood of Christ! a) The water, used for purification, is
replacedwith wine, which would come to symbolize the blood of Christ!

Jesus was urging them to fill the waterpots

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