No More?

 The story of Jesus turning the water into wine in John 2 is widely known, even by unbelievers. Jesus is at a wedding, and the wine for the guests has run out. This is a terrible embarrassment for the host. Christ's mother comes to Him with the problem. "They have no more wine," she said. I came across a great comment on this that said, "There needed to be more when there was no more." Perhaps in your life today you're facing something similar. There needs to be more where there is no more. More love, more forgiveness, more healing, more understanding, more patience, more joy, more hope.....but there is no more. Like the wine jars at the wedding, we're empty. We need more, but there is no more.

The thing about an empty wine pot in that day is that at first glance you would not know it is empty. They were tall and held about 30 gallons. You'd have to get very close in order to know. It's the same with you and I except that when we're empty of the above fruits and graces, the last thing we want is to allow someone to get close to us, especially if that Someone is Jesus. So we just keep moving on, keeping our distance, looking like a full pot to the casual observer, but inside, we're empty. We need more, but there is no more. And so, relationships die, hope dies, faith dies, our spiritual life dies. We become empty pots. In the story, what had begun as a wedding celebration was about to take on the atmosphere of a funeral. For some, that may be an apt illustration of what their walk with Him has become. It is not what He would have for us, and it is not where He will leave us. But we must bring our emptiness to Him.

Jesus' first response to His mother's request seems like a refusal, but she said to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you." This is the key. When all has run out in our lives, when we're face with lack and emptiness, can we, will we, do whatever it is He tells us? This is the key to restoration, renewal, and healing. Jesus told the servants to fill the pots with water. This would make no sense to them and often, His leadings make little sense to us, but they obeyed. The pots, empty of even an inferior wine, were miraculously filled with the choicest of wine. This is the way of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. He specialized in blessing and adding on to what seems to be not enough. Giving more where it seemed there was no more.

Where in life today is there no more but you know you desperately need more? Much more. Right before you is the One who has the means, the power, and the desire to fill your emptiness. If only you'll do as He says. He gives more where there is no more. 

The chief steward at the wedding upon discovering the new wine, said to the bridegroom, who moments before had none, "You have kept the best wine until now." With Jesus, the best wine is always yet to come. Trust Him in this. Bring your empty vessel to Him. Experience His more where there is no more. It will be His best. It is always His best.

Blessings,
Pastor O