Cups Overflowing
John 2:1–11
You have kept the good wine until now. John 2:10
Jesus, of course, knew that his times were in the hands of his Father in heaven. He would not be manipulated. And yet—this is a wonderful part of this story—he had no desire to allow a lack of joy or embarrassment either. So he moved quietly. There were six great water jars of stone standing by, used to hold water for Jewish purifications. He commanded the servants to fill them with water, which they did—to the brim! Then he told them to draw from the pots and carry the water (now made wine) to the master of the banquet, whom we would call the best man or the master of ceremonies. They did so; when the master of the banquet had tasted the wine he said to the bridegroom, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now” (v. 10).
That too is significant. It was good wine! It was the best! No wonder the Bible tells us that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17). Jesus himself said, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:11).
Moreover, have you ever reflected on the quantity of wine Jesus produced? John tells us, probably as an eyewitness, that there were six stone water jars, each containing two or three firkins apiece. That makes twelve to eighteen firkins. Each firkin was the equivalent of nine or ten gallons. Consequently, Jesus must have produced between a hundred eight and a hundred eighty gallons of the very best wine. William Barclay is so startled by the amount of wine that he thinks it should not be taken with “crude literalness.” But I think the amount is literal and, what is more, that Jesus intentionally produced the wine in abundance.
Do not think, if you come to Jesus, accepting him as your Savior, that the day will come when you will find yourself empty of joy, or disappointed. If that ever happens, it will be because you have drawn away from him, not because he has failed you. Certainly the Christ who produced the abundance of wine, who oversupplied with the loaves and fishes, who said, “Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35)—certainly such a Christ is able to supply all your need “according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.