Empty Vessels

Three days later there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus and His disciples were guests also. When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus’ mother told Him, “They’re just about out of wine.”  Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn’t My time. Don’t push Me.”  She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever He tells you, do it.”  Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings.  Each held twenty to thirty gallons.  Jesus ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water.”  And they filled them to the brim.  “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did.  When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff.  But you’ve saved the best till now!”  This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.

John 2:1-11 MSG

Jesus performed many miracles during His time here on earth yet the one He performed at Cana is still the most awesome wonder of them all.  For Jesus filled the empty vessels with only good.

Nothing destroys life like emptiness.  Those hollow places, holes really, inside of us never lay dormant for long.  They just keep sucking the life out of us and out of anything that gets close to us.  And left to our own device, we will self-destruct.  Even believers struggle with this and battle those feelings of emptiness.  We can know that eternal life is ours, and yet never be actually filled with the love of God.  You may have a whole lot of knowledge of who He is yet not really know Him personally.

Please listen close…If Jesus has not been asked to fill all the empty spaces in our lives, we may be saved but, friend, we are not safe!  There is nothing in this world that can satisfy you and truly give you the abundant joy that Jesus came to give!  If we are honest with ourselves, we can probably list a few things that we have tried to satsify and fill ourselves with.

But today, let’s do something different.  Let’s take action!  Like this:

• Being filled starts with being honest with yourself about what is missing.  Just as Mary told Jesus that there was a problem with the empty pitchers, we must also tell Him what is missing in our lives.  Tell Him every attempt you have made to fill the emptiness with other things, aside from Him.  Name people and things that have left you disappointed, feeling neglected, and unloved.  And tell Jesus what it cost you to keep looking for love and acceptance and healing in all the wrong places.
• Then, when you have told Him all your needs, ask Jesus to fill you with His love and to overflow into those hollow places with the Holy Spirit.  Not just today but every day from here on out!

When we let Jesus have it all, fill us up with His love, others will see and they, too, will want what you have.  Just like those empty jars at the wedding, Jesus can fill us up with the good stuff!  He only has good stuff to give.  And you know what? He will never be surprised at your needs! He is so willing to be yours, all you have to do is ask…

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Do you know Jesus?  Are you trying every way that you know how to fill the emptiness in your heart?  You don’t have to anymore.  I ask that you pray this simple prayer with me:

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and I am in need of a Savior.  I believe that Jesus is Your Son, and You sent Him to die for my sins and He is the Savior of the world.  I ask that You come into my heart today to be my Lord and Savior.  Help me to grow and learn more about You each day.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Like Be the first one who likes this post!