John 2:1-11 Did You Notice the Servants?

We are still looking at John 2:1-11 this week BUT it isn't at verse 4 as I didn't get anywhere in my attempt to figure it out this week. (Maybe next week?!) What I want to ask you about this text is: Did you notice the servants?

I'm so impressed with the servants in this story. Why? Well, let me tell you! But first let's look at exactly what they did:

John 2:5-9a
“His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.

As you can see by my bold highlights, I'm impressed with the servants total obedience to Jesus. They filled the water jars “to the brim” and took what they knew had been water to the steward to drink. They are a good example to us of obeying Jesus even when we aren't sure how things are going to work out. They simple did what he said.

 

But that isn't all that fascinated me. Verse 11 tells us “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” The miracle of turning water into wine was a pretty big deal. Not just for the wedding guests who were treated to good wine and not just for the bridegroom who saved face, but for the disciples and for all followers of Jesus. Jesus' glory was revealed....His deity made known. And how? By a miracle that took place through the hands of servants. Jesus did not touch the jars. Jesus did not fill them with water. Jesus did not draw the water/wine out of the jar to give to the stewards. The servants did! Through their obedience to Jesus, they got to be apart of a miracle.

 

You know how people say that we are God's hands and feet? I never really found that motivating. Somehow it didn't hit me. But today it is. Jesus spoke and the servants acted. Isn't that what He wants from us today? The Lord speaks,* we obey, and the results are in His hands.

 

*My view is that the Lord speaks to us primarily through Scripture which, I acknowledge, is interpreted through our own hermeneutical frameworks. I also believe He can speak to us through others, the Spirit inside of us, creation, and circumstances. We need wisdom and discernment to determine what is being asked of us but He is able to communicate to us in a way we understand.