John 2:7 … Full to the Brim (03/16/17)
“Jesus said to them: ‘Fill the jars with water’
… and they filled them to the brim.”
~ anonymous (John 2:7)
According to many, this (turning water into wine) was Jesus’ first miracle – and if so, then appropriately so, for it was also one of his most symbolically profound “deeds of power.” In Truth, there are potent metaphors at play in the tale of him turning water to wine; metaphors that provide much Wisdom & Guidance to this very day …
Consider first of all that “water” for Jesus was a symbolic reference to the human Spirit within us (see Matthew 3:11, John 4:14, John7:38-39, & Thomas 108 et al). Some people call this Spirit “consciousness” and others refer to it as “the Holy Spirit” and still others refer to it like Jesus did – as “the Advocate within” (see John 14:20-26). Interestingly enough the authors of this very Gospel referred to it as “the Word” (Greek term “Logos” – Strong’s #3056) in the very first passage thereof (see John 1:1-5). And this metaphor makes complete sense – for from the waters of the ocean our species emerged into the land, and from the waters of our mothers’ wombs we each emerged into life – a life that was imbued with conscious awareness; a spark of divinity that we have carried with us (and carry within us) from beyond – Indeed, this is “the Spirit” …
The second metaphor in this verse’s surrounding passage is, of course, “wine” – for that is what Jesus did at the wedding in question: he turned water into wine. And yet what does the wine represent? Well – to Jesus at least (and for the authors of the Gospels as well), “wine” was the symbolic representation of the “perfect Love” of the heavenly Father – the perfect Love that resides ever within us (see Matthew 5:48 + John 14:20), and the unconditional Love that can be re-enlivened at any moment of our choosing (see Matthew 9:17, Matthew 26:26-29, Matthew 27:34, Matthew 27:48, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, & Luke 23:36 et al).
So already here we see that the “wine” (Love) has run out at the wedding ceremony, and Jesus takes the “water jars “(the Spirit within the body) that remain and refills them with “wine” (Love) once more …
Thirdly, note as well that there are six of the water jars (6 in the Bible represented imperfection; always one short of 7, the number of Wholeness) and note as well that the jars were made of stone – meaning that their contents would not become ritually “unclean” if touched by an “unclean” guest (unlike water jars made of clay – see Leviticus 11:33 & Leviticus 15:12).
Fourthly, note that the jars were “filled to the brim” – symbolizing the Truth that real Faith knows no exceptions; there is enough of its Love to be give to all …
And finally, note that this is all happening at a wedding ceremony – even though Jesus was not a fan of weddings per se (see Matthew 22:30) – indicating another metaphorical reference; namely, the union of self with Self and then Self with environment and thereby self & Self with God – all via selfless acts of Love.
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