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In John 2:1-11, Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding feast using six large jars that were initially empty. After they were filled with water, Jesus miraculously transformed it into wine that pleased the wedding's participants. Though this account primarily demonstrates Jesus' miraculous power, it also provides an applicable illustration of how we must be prepared to effectively serve Him.
First, the empty jars represent the surrendered position Christ requires of us. His choice of using empty jars is significant because they could receive clean water without contaminating it. In our case, receiving Christ's Word, will, and power without distraction or fleshly corruption requires us to surrender all that is of our self-life in the flesh. As Ephesians 2:8-9 note, we had to completely surrender our self-righteousness, pride, and works to Jesus because even the slightest dependence on them prevented us from receiving His gift of salvation via grace through faith. Similarly, all self-centered motives, self-originating plans, and carnal desires must be forfeited because they deprive our works of the Holy Spirit's leading and power. By being emptied of our soul life, we become like the branches abiding in the vine of Christ in John 15, being completely dependent on His life, harmonized with His will, and available to bear spiritual fruit through His power.
Next, the jars being filled with water represent our need to be filled with God's Word. The empty jars used in Christ's miracle were merely vessels used to hold the water He transformed. Similarly, 2 Timothy 2:21 calls us to be vessels cleaned from our dishonorable self-life to become available for Christ's work. When cleansed, we can be filled with God's Word so we possess a reservoir of Biblical truth He can use to transform us, bless others, and spread the Gospel. Because failing to intake Scripture will result in spiritual drought, Psalm 1:2, Joshua 1:8, and John 8:31 call us to study and meditate on it. When we as cleansed, empty vessels complete these tasks through the Holy Spirit's guidance and power, His Word is deeply stored within our hearts (Psa. 119:11) and provide a reservoir available for Christ's work in and through us.
Finally, Christ miraculously transforming the water into wine represents His supernatural work in us through His Word. The jars Jesus used had no power in themselves to supernaturally transform their contents. Likewise, 1 Corinthians 2:11 and 14 note that our natural mind cannot understand or apply God's Word because His Spirit alone can properly comprehend and discern it. The Spirit alone can miraculously teach us Scripture's true meaning and build within us sound doctrine. Furthermore, consistent engagement in Spirit-led Bible study allows the Holy Spirit to draw from this reservoir of truth to miraculously renew our minds (Rom. 12:2), recall Scriptural truth to us (Joh. 14:26), and weaponize it to defeat demonic lies and strongholds (Eph. 6:17). As these works supernaturally transform our lives, they become beautiful reflections of Christ and allow His power and love to freely flow through us.
Jesus' first miracle provides a clear illustration of how He prepares and uses us for His work in and through us. As the once-empty jars were available to receive water and rely totally on Christ to transform it, so are we called to be emptied of our self-life, filled with God's Word, and transformed through the Holy Spirit teaching and applying it. By surrendering to this miraculous process, we become filled with the new wine of Christ's life and available to receive the fullness of His work both within and through us.
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