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My Favorite Verses - Vol V (Feb 17 to Jun 17)

An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings

An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings

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John 2:7 … Full <strong>to</strong> the Brim<br />

(03/16/20<strong>17</strong>)<br />

“Jesus said <strong>to</strong> them: „Fill the jars with water‟<br />

… and they filled them <strong>to</strong> the brim.”<br />

~ anonymous (John 2:7)<br />

According <strong>to</strong> many, this “miracle” (turning water in<strong>to</strong> wine) was Jesus‟ first –<br />

and if so, then appropriately so, for it was also one of his most symbolically<br />

profound “deeds of power.” In Truth, there are potent metaphors at play in the<br />

tale of him turning water <strong>to</strong> wine; metaphors that provide much Wisdom &<br />

Guidance <strong>to</strong> this very day … Consider first of all that “water” for Jesus was a<br />

symbolic reference <strong>to</strong> the animating Spirit within us (see Matthew 3:11, John 4:14,<br />

John7:38-39, & Thomas 108 et al). Some people call this Spirit “consciousness” and<br />

others refer <strong>to</strong> it as “the Holy Spirit” and still others refer <strong>to</strong> it like Jesus did – as<br />

“the Advocate within” (see John 14:20-26). Interestingly enough the authors of this<br />

very Gospel referred <strong>to</strong> it as “the Word” (Greek term Logos – Strong‟s #3056) in the<br />

very first passage thereof (see John 1:1-5). And this metaphor makes complete<br />

sense – for from the waters of the ocean our species emerged in<strong>to</strong> the land, and<br />

from the waters of our mothers‟ wombs we each emerged in<strong>to</strong> life – a life that was<br />

imbued with conscious awareness; a spark of divinity that we have carried with us<br />

(and carry within us) from beyond – Indeed, this is “the Spirit” … The second<br />

metaphor in this verse‟s surrounding passage is, of course, “wine” – for that is<br />

what Jesus did at the wedding in question: he turned water in<strong>to</strong> wine. And yet<br />

what does the wine represent? Well – <strong>to</strong> Jesus at least (and for the authors of the<br />

Gospels as well), “wine” was the symbolic representation of the “perfect Love” of<br />

the heavenly Father – the perfect Love that resides ever within us (see Matthew<br />

5:48 + John 14:20), and the unconditional Love that can be re-enlivened at any<br />

moment of our choosing (see Matthew 9:<strong>17</strong>, Matthew 26:26-29, Matthew 27:34,<br />

Matthew 27:48, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, & Luke 23:36 et al). So already here<br />

we see that the “wine” (Love) has run out at the wedding ceremony, and Jesus<br />

takes the “water jars “(the Spirit within the body) that remain and refills them with<br />

“wine” (Love) once more …<br />

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