Post by Zac Loh on Sept 14, 2005 0:19:58 GMT -5
Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” [John 2:6-10]
This is an account of a wedding in Cana. On this day, they encountered a problem... maybe it’s more like a crisis.. they ran out of wine! Mary, Jesus’ natural mother, asked Him for help since He was there. Herein is an analogy of how our attitude should be, in pertinence to our spiritual life.
There were six water pots of stone. Six is the number of Man, since man was created on the sixth day. The Apostle Peter, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, described us as `living stones’.
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [1 Pet 2:5]
So the six water pots of stone filled with water to the brim speaks of us being filled with the Spirit... even to the brim. But water was not good enough on that auspicious day, and therefore, wine was required. Thus, Jesus turned the water into wine. Take careful notice that it was drawn-out. We are faced with a question: are we a Water Christian or a Wine Christian? Again, let me stressed that the water was not good enough. Or else, they would have settled for the water. And the miracle would not have been needed.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which in dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, [Eph 5:18]
In the above scripture, Paul made a parallel between the wine and the Spirit of God. We are called to be Wine Christians. Sadly, there are some who are merely Water Christians. They like the experiences of God. They want to be filled with the Spirit. But they are exclusively focused on their own satisfaction. They are contented with their spiritual well-being without thinking of blessing others.
The water turned into wine. It was drawn-out. Are we willing to be drawn-out to bless others? Have we got the heart to minister to others, as we are being ministered? Surely, a Water Living is a sub-standard living even though it is much better than an empty vessel. A higher-grade living, obviously, would be the Wine Living. And that’s what God really wants us to aim for.
It was quite peculiar to me that it was stated `twenty or thirty gallons’. Usually, when it comes to measurements in the Bible, they are quite definite. I believe it wasn’t a coincidence.
Jesus said:
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” [Matt 18:19-20]
Are you having a difficult time getting filled with the Spirit by yourself? It isn’t surprising that the First In-Filling Experience happened in a prayer meeting at Pentecost. So, don’t wait. Come and gather together with us!
The initial wine was an ordinary wine. It was a humanly produced wine. The master of the feast declared without any reservation that the second wine was definitely better. The second wine was a miracle wine. This type of spiritual wine comes only from heaven above. Sadly, many are satisfied with the ordinary wine of chit-chat fellowship.
God has a better wine for us provided we ask for it.
This is an account of a wedding in Cana. On this day, they encountered a problem... maybe it’s more like a crisis.. they ran out of wine! Mary, Jesus’ natural mother, asked Him for help since He was there. Herein is an analogy of how our attitude should be, in pertinence to our spiritual life.
There were six water pots of stone. Six is the number of Man, since man was created on the sixth day. The Apostle Peter, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, described us as `living stones’.
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [1 Pet 2:5]
So the six water pots of stone filled with water to the brim speaks of us being filled with the Spirit... even to the brim. But water was not good enough on that auspicious day, and therefore, wine was required. Thus, Jesus turned the water into wine. Take careful notice that it was drawn-out. We are faced with a question: are we a Water Christian or a Wine Christian? Again, let me stressed that the water was not good enough. Or else, they would have settled for the water. And the miracle would not have been needed.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which in dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, [Eph 5:18]
In the above scripture, Paul made a parallel between the wine and the Spirit of God. We are called to be Wine Christians. Sadly, there are some who are merely Water Christians. They like the experiences of God. They want to be filled with the Spirit. But they are exclusively focused on their own satisfaction. They are contented with their spiritual well-being without thinking of blessing others.
The water turned into wine. It was drawn-out. Are we willing to be drawn-out to bless others? Have we got the heart to minister to others, as we are being ministered? Surely, a Water Living is a sub-standard living even though it is much better than an empty vessel. A higher-grade living, obviously, would be the Wine Living. And that’s what God really wants us to aim for.
It was quite peculiar to me that it was stated `twenty or thirty gallons’. Usually, when it comes to measurements in the Bible, they are quite definite. I believe it wasn’t a coincidence.
Jesus said:
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” [Matt 18:19-20]
Are you having a difficult time getting filled with the Spirit by yourself? It isn’t surprising that the First In-Filling Experience happened in a prayer meeting at Pentecost. So, don’t wait. Come and gather together with us!
The initial wine was an ordinary wine. It was a humanly produced wine. The master of the feast declared without any reservation that the second wine was definitely better. The second wine was a miracle wine. This type of spiritual wine comes only from heaven above. Sadly, many are satisfied with the ordinary wine of chit-chat fellowship.
God has a better wine for us provided we ask for it.
“Some people come with very small expectations concerning God’s fullness, and a lot of people are satisfied with a thimbleful. You can just imagine God saying, `Oh, if they only knew how much they could take away!’ Other people come with a larger container, and they go away satisfied. God is longing for us to have such a desire for more, a desire that only He can satisfy.”
“We must have heaven’s riches to give to souls in poverty. You cannot be filled with the Lord and not be merciful. You cannot have the baptism with power without this supernatural mercy, this divine touch of heaven that stops satanic forces, frees the oppressed, and strengthens the helpless. That is the spirit that God wants to give us. Oh, for heaven to bend down upon us with this deep inward cry for a touch of Him, His majesty, His glory, His might, His power!”
- SMITH WIGGLESWORTH On Spirit-Filled
“We must have heaven’s riches to give to souls in poverty. You cannot be filled with the Lord and not be merciful. You cannot have the baptism with power without this supernatural mercy, this divine touch of heaven that stops satanic forces, frees the oppressed, and strengthens the helpless. That is the spirit that God wants to give us. Oh, for heaven to bend down upon us with this deep inward cry for a touch of Him, His majesty, His glory, His might, His power!”
- SMITH WIGGLESWORTH On Spirit-Filled