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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