When I hear this phrase, I can’t help but think of Jesus’ first miracle. In his inaugural divine act, Jesus showed us that he is the one who “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20)
The miracle took place at a party. A feast … a celebration … a wedding. The events of this wedding are recounted to us in John 2:1-12. The location is a town in Galilee called Cana. At some point in the party, Jesus’ mother, Mary, says to her son, “They have no more wine,” and then ignoring his protestations and without asking him, she simply tells the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
So, Jesus, looks at six stone water jars, “each holding from twenty to thirty gallons,” and says, “Fill the jars with water.” As soon as they were filled and poured into the cup of the master of the banquet, that water had been miraculously turned into wine … good wine!
What is the purpose of this miracle? Why is it in our bible? Jesus’ miracles were called “signs” because they are supposed to point us to something. They tell us a little bit about who Jesus is. I think this miracle tells us that Jesus is the one who makes “my cup overflow.”
Notice the quantity of wine that Jesus makes? Six stone water pots with an average capacity of 25 gallons each. That means that Jesus made about 150 gallons of wine! That would be equivalent to 750 bottles of wine or 3,750 glasses by today’s standards. Now, we don’t know how big this wedding was, but even if it was 300 people (which would be huge even by today’s standards, so it could have easily been half of that or less), that means that Jesus made a half gallon of wine for every person in attendance. Two and a half bottles each! That is a ridiculous amount of wine. No one at that party would have to worry about their cup running dry.
So, why did Jesus make this much wine? Certainly not to tell people that it is ok to get drunk. It was a sign pointing to the truth that Jesus came to give us more than we could possibly hope or imagine or dream or even need. This is about the lavish and abundant grace, goodness, joy and love that Jesus wants to pour out for us. This is Jesus proclaiming, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) This is who Jesus is.
Today, will you let Jesus fill your cup until it overflows?
By Josh Rose
Pastor of Adult Ministries