“FILL THE WATER VESSELS WITH WATER”
A. B. Parker
This scripture in John 2 has yielded much in its use at occasions like this. It has often been noted that the mother of Jesus was present and that “Jesus also, and his disciples, were invited”. Evidently it was a time when natural relationships tended to dominate. That tendency may readily obtain at a marriage, for there is the side of natural relationship which is ordained of God and has its place, but if happiness is to be a lasting matter, the natural must be controlled by the spiritual. We have been through much sorrow because this has not been so. Indeed, we are greatly tested at the present time because of the scattering that has taken place over assembly issues, and it is an exercise at this time whether the mixed conditions here will prevent the Lord from giving us a word.
I have in mind to call to our attention what the Lord said at that occasion in Cana of Galilee, trusting that He will have a word for us in it. He did not say much on that occasion. His mother had spoken, telling the servants to do whatever Jesus said to them. When told that wine was deficient, He said to the servants, “Fill the water-vessels with water”, and they filled them to the brim. It is the responsibility of servants to do what the Lord tells them to do. I desire to do just that. The word is, “Fill the water-vessels with water”. I would like to fill you to the brim!
The tremendous scattering which has taken place has been largely due to a lack of appreciation and use of the water. John’s gospel, which has a peculiar bearing on the last days, tells us much about the water, beginning with the baptism of John who said, “I baptise with water”, John 1: 26. Let us consider, briefly, what is said about water. We are told that John was baptising in AEnon near Salim, because there was a great deal of water there, John 3: 23. Have we applied the water in abundance in the practical working out of our baptism, or do we need to go back to our beginnings and see if there has been a lack of water? The abundance of water in the Red Sea was provided to wash away every vestige of what was Egyptian. The people were all baptised to Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Has the water been applied abundantly by us, practically, to wash the world, and our desires for it, out of our hearts? Then the Lord Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about being born anew and being born of water and of Spirit, John 3: 3–5. The very beginning of God’s work in us for the formation of the “inward man”, which is subject to the law of God, is related to being born of water and of Spirit. Has this been a real experience with us? The intent is that what is born anew in us may be preserved from defilement by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Then, in John 4, we are introduced to a Samaritan woman who, obviously, was a subject of new birth. The Lord speaks to her about His giving the living water—“The water which I shall give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up into eternal life”. Do you know what it is to have this wonderful spring in you, lifting you up into the enjoyment of eternal life
and participation in the service of God? The teaching clearly shows the direct relation of the water to the Holy Spirit, but we have our responsibility in all these relations, whether to maintain the separation which baptism indicates or to drink of the living water which the Lord gives. It is not just teaching, it involves experience.
Then the Lord Jesus introduces the water in chapter 13, to bring in the spiritual refreshment needed if we are to have part with Christ. The teaching is progressive. This reference is related to the Supper. “Jesus ... rises—from supper”, it says. He poured water into a wash-hand basin and began to wash the feet of His disciples. Have you known the Lord’s service to refresh you so as to have part with Him after the Supper on Lord’s day, so that you can worship the Father in spirit and in truth? I am going over these items quickly, not assuming to cover every reference to water in the gospel, but seeking to do as the Lord commanded—“Fill the water vessels with water”.
Finally, we come to the Lord’s sufferings an the cross. Can we consider this scene without depth of feeling? His agonies affect us. He suffered for us. He died, and a soldier pierced His side, and forthwith there came out blood and water, John 19: 34. What meaning that gives to the subject of the water! O, dear brethren, have we neglected the water? Our approach to God is based upon the blood and the water. Both came from His riven side. We draw near to God, “sprinkled as to our hearts from a wicked conscience”—that relates to the blood of Christ—“and washed as to our body with pure water” (Hebrews 10: 22)—that relates to the water which came from the side of Christ. How necessary is the water!
In the types in the Old Testament the ashes of the red heifer, which was burned in the presence of the priest (Numbers 19: 5), were used to give efficacy to the water of purification, which was required to remove uncleanness. It is also called the water of separation, Numbers 19: 13. If we are prepared to receive help from the Lord, we will acknowledge that diversions and differences which have come in are substantially due to lack of understanding, it may be, but surely due to lack of application, of the water spiritually. In Numbers 19, where the water of purification is made available for cleansing, the point is made that if the person who becomes defiled fails to use the water of purification, he defiles the tabernacle of Jehovah and must be separated from Israel. We should be affected by the serious way in which God looks at despising, or failure to use, the water of purification which has been made available at such a cost. The intensity of the burning of the red heifer is equal to the burning of the beasts whose blood is taken into the sanctuary on the day of atonement and sprinkled on the mercy-seat and before the mercy-seat to provide a place and standing for us in the presence of God.
This should help us to see the importance of cleansing our way. We are called upon to walk in separation from the world and to purify ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, 2 Corinthians 7: 1. To disregard this is a slight, indeed a sin, against the sufferings of Christ. May we have the sense that the Lord is saying something to us and take heed to His word.
Well, dear brethren, I trust that the water-vessels have been filled with water. If so, that is not the end. The Lord Jesus spoke again—when the vessels were filled to the brim. He said, “Draw out now, and carry it to the feast-master”. Did they draw out water? No, they drew out wine—wine that surpassed anything they had known before. There had been a change. Where did the change occur? In the water-vessels. And if we accept the word the Lord has given, and act on it, there will be change in us. May we have the sense that the Lord has spoken, for God is not the Author of confusion, but of oneness. God is one—three Persons, but God is one. The oneness set out in divine Persons should be taken account of, for it is not God’s mind that we should be divided. After the change had taken place in the water-vessels all at the feast would drink of the new wine—all would be in the new-found joy which the change had brought about. May we all be concerned that we may not resist change, where needed, that we may be able to share the joy that the Lord would bring in.
But there may be some specific blessing that the Lord would bring in. While there is the general matter of the marriage celebration, there were six water-vessels. Who do the six vessels represent? They would be the principals at the marriage, possibly. There would be the bridegroom and the bride, certainly, but can we also say that the parents of the bridegroom and the bride may be represented? The Lord’s feelings toward the young couple would be compassionate and in the attitude of blessing. They have had soul history; they have been tested, and I believe that the Lord has helped them through the tests. I believe we can say that without hesitation. What about the father and mother of the bride?—and what about the father and the mother of the bridegroom? Does the Lord have a special word for them? Is there some change He would bring about in them? The change took place in the six water-vessels. How we would like to see whatever change is necessary to bring about the oneness of which we have been speaking.
I have been simple and plain in what I have said, but I have felt that the Lord laid something upon me. I trust that it is indeed so, and that we will hear what He has said. Are we prepared to embrace the precious meaning of the water that came from the side of Jesus? Are we prepared to cleanse our way, that we may walk in the path of God’s will? If so, we will surely drink of the water made wine, and I feel sure we will come into the experience of unity and oneness in the faith and in the fellowship practically. May the Lord grant that it may be so!
Word on the occasion of a marriage, Brooklyn, N.Y
8 June 1974