Obedient Servants: Witnesses of Transformation
Scripture: John 2:1-12 (NIV)
“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’ 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. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’ 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. After this, he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.”
This passage narrates the first of Jesus’ miraculous signs—turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. This moment is filled with significance because it reveals Jesus’ glory and showcases the importance of simple obedience in witnessing the miraculous. As we reflect on this story, particularly verse 9 and the role of the servants, we gain insight into how God often works through those who are willing to follow His instructions, even when they don’t fully understand His plan.
The situation at the wedding was dire. Running out of wine was more than just an inconvenience; it was a social disaster that could bring shame to the bridegroom and his family. Mary, aware of the problem, brings it to Jesus’ attention. Although His initial response seems hesitant—“My hour has not yet come”—Mary’s faith in her son’s ability to resolve the issue is unwavering. She tells the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
The servants are given a simple but puzzling task: fill six large stone jars with water. Typically used for ceremonial washing, these jars were not intended for wine, making the instructions seem unusual. However, the servants obey without question, filling the jars to the brim. This act of obedience sets the stage for the miracle that is about to unfold.
In verse 9, we see the culmination of their obedience: “The master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.” This verse is key to understanding the significance of the servants’ role. The master of the banquet, unaware of the miracle, only recognizes the quality of the wine. However, the servants who had been obedient to Jesus’ instructions were the ones who truly witnessed the transformation.
Their obedience allowed them to be firsthand witnesses of Jesus’ power. They didn’t question His instructions, even though they didn’t make sense at the time. As a result, they were privileged to see ordinary water turned into extraordinary wine, a sign of Jesus’ glory that would later strengthen the faith of His disciples.
These verses offer several key lessons for our daily lives:
Trust in God’s Instructions: The servants at Cana didn’t fully understand why they were asked to fill jars with water, but they trusted and obeyed. Sometimes, God asks us to do things that may not make sense to us at the moment. Trust that He has a purpose; your obedience can lead to witnessing His miraculous work.
Obedience Leads to Revelation: The servants became witnesses to the miracle through their obedience. In our lives, when we obey God’s word and follow His leading, we position ourselves to see His glory revealed in unexpected ways.
God Uses the Ordinary for the Extraordinary: Jesus transformed ordinary water in ordinary jars into something extraordinary. In the same way, God can take our ordinary lives and use them for His extraordinary purposes. Be open to how God might use you in unexpected ways.
Be Faithful in Small Tasks: The servants were given a simple task, yet their faithfulness in that task played a crucial role in the miracle. No act of obedience is too small when it’s done in service to God. Be faithful in the small things, trusting that God is at work.
A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of the servants at Cana, who obeyed without question and were blessed to witness Your glory. Help us to trust in Your instructions, even when we don’t fully understand them. May we be faithful in the small tasks You give us, knowing that You can use the ordinary for the extraordinary. Reveal Your glory in our lives as we walk in obedience to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.