Six Stone Jars

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From the Gospel of John: “On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there for a few days.” (John 2:1-12)

As my readers are well aware, I adore the Gospel of John. This portion of the second chapter is a terrific example of just why I admire the Fourth Gospel for the Evangelist take great care in making sure the reader takes in all of the details of this story. Six stone jars are mentioned in the text. Why six? Why stone? Why 30 gallons? Is there a larger purpose for their inclusion in this story?

Stone jars, in contrast to earthen jars, were free from the possibility of Levitical impurity. The “rites of Jewish purification” probably refers to the ritual cleansing of hands at meals. This must have been a large wedding for the quantity and capacity of these jars is most unusual. Could the size of the jars be in direct correlation to the extravagance of the miracle?

Numbers were used in symbolic ways in the literature of the Mediterranean world. And John’s Gospel is loaded with numerical symbolism. The number six (6), it should be remembered, was symbolic for the idea or concept of “imperfection”. The “imperfect” was about to be transfigured or transformed into perfection by the Lord of all Creation.

A careful reading of the text will note that the Fourth Evangelist narrates the “before and after” of the miracle but not the precise moment. New wine is created in old vessels of the Jewish purification rites, symbolizing that the old forms are given new content. I believe this is a very important concept to remember in that Jesus did not reject Judaism. On the contrary, Jesus was a very good and faithful practicing Jew of his time.

Those six large stone jars stood empty, waiting to be filled. These oversized containers were filled with a wondrous new gift. The miracle is not a rejection of Judaism, by any means; but, something new that was taking place in the midst of Judaism.

These six stone jars symbolize for me something very important about the Christian Church. We are living in a time of major change and flux. It is apparent that God is doing something new. We are caught up in it. We are part of it whether we like it or not. What it will be or become has yet to be discerned or clearly visualized. I understand the Church today like these six stone jars: part of the tradition; imperfect; waiting to be filled and transformed by the power of Almighty God.

Love One Another - Brian