Scripture: John 2:7 (ESV) – “Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim.”
J.C. Ryle, in his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, highlights the obedience and faith of the servants in this verse. Jesus commands them to fill the six stone jars with water, and they respond by filling them to the brim. This seemingly ordinary act of obedience becomes the foundation for an extraordinary miracle.
Ryle emphasizes that the servants’ obedience, though simple, was crucial. Jesus could have performed the miracle without involving them, but He chose to include them in His work. This teaches us that God often works through human actions, using our faithfulness and willingness to fulfill His purposes. The servants may not have understood why they were filling the jars with water, but their trust in Jesus’ command allowed them to play a role in revealing His glory.
The detail that the jars were filled “to the brim” is significant. Ryle notes that this shows both the completeness of the servants’ obedience and the abundance of Christ’s provision. When we respond to Jesus with wholehearted faith and trust, He does not give sparingly but pours out His blessings in full measure. This also reflects the overflowing nature of His grace, which leaves no room for insufficiency.
This verse challenges us to reflect on our own willingness to obey Jesus, even in tasks that may seem small or insignificant. Like the servants, we are called to trust His word and act in faith, knowing that He can use even our simplest actions to accomplish His purposes.
Reflection Questions:
- How does the obedience of the servants encourage you to respond faithfully to Jesus’ commands, even when you don’t fully understand His plan?
- Are there areas in your life where you struggle to “fill the jars to the brim” with wholehearted trust and effort?
- How can you trust in Jesus’ ability to use your obedience to reveal His glory and bring about transformation?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching us the importance of simple obedience. Help us to respond to Your commands with faith and trust, even when we don’t see the full picture. Teach us to offer You our wholehearted effort, knowing that You can use even the smallest acts of faith to accomplish great things. May we live in a way that reflects Your abundant grace and reveals Your glory to the world. In Your name, Amen.
*This devotional is based on J.C. Ryle’s insights from his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 