John 2:6-7 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.
“Ceremonial Stone Jars”
Stone jars, unlike pottery made out of clay, were considered “ceremonially clean” in the Jewish custom. Leviticus 11:33 and 15:12 states that clay can become contaminated mainly because it is porous whereas stone does not have pores. Clay can absorb impurities but stone cannot. Hence the Jews used stone water jars to wash their hands and feet as a sign of purification.
When there was a shortage of wine in the wedding at Cana, Jesus chose the six stone water jars to do His first miracle. These stone jars could hold 20–30 gallons (75–115 liters) so in total a massive amount of 180 gallons! Jesus instructed the servants to fill the water jars and they filled it to the brim. The servants poured in water, and poured out the most exquisite excellent tasting wine!
This is another beautiful metaphorical picture of God’s miracle working power when we fill the stone jars of our mind with God’s Word. As water was used for ceremonial washing by the Jews, so the Word of God purifies our entrails and inner-man.The Word of God sanctifies us–To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word (Ephesians 5:26). The Word will remain uncorrupt and unpolluted only if our mind is like a stone jar and not clay pottery.
“In the filling is the overflowing”.
The Ceremonial Stone Jars:
- Stone: Become stone jars and don’t let the world pollute or poison the Word of God or your faith.
- Soak: If we are like clay pottery, porous, soaking the world news, gossip from social media and predictions from economists and financial consultants, the promises of God will look impossible.
- Special: The obedient servants filled the stone jars with water to the rim. When we are full of the Word, our words and conversations will overflow with love, healing and counseling. The stone jars full of water will overflow with sweet wine.
“Be filled with the Word and overflow with godliness”.
Prayer: Dearest Jesus, make me a non-porous stone jar to hold your Word and pour out your love. Amen.
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