Fellowship with Christ in Service
Chapter 8
Fellowship with Christ in Service
“The servants that drew the water knew” (John 2:9)
This miracle preceded “the Five Musts” in order of time; but the lesson it teaches is perennially true; and those who have passed into the realm of the Spirit will find inspiration as they consider this first miracle.
Cana was a little village, inhabited for the most part by vine-dressers who tended the vineyards on the hills that descended to the great plain of Esdraelon. We can almost see the little white homes, embowered in a wealth of luxuriant foliage, looking down on that famous battle-ground. Thither our Lord came fresh from the scenes of John’s baptism, together with the five disciples, who had been introduced to Him through His contact with John the Baptist. These may have been rather startled when they found themselves transplanted from the austerity of the Baptist, with his locusts and wild honey, into the scene of marriage festivities, which, according to Jewish custom, would extend over the afternoons and evenings of a whole week, the guests going to their homes and avocations during the day, and afterwards resuming their marriage festivities.
In all probability the family by whom the feast was provided was related to the Saviour’s home and family at Nazareth. This would account for Mary’s responsibility in the matter of provision. In any case our Lord would receive a hearty welcome; and, though the apostles may have been startled by the contrast between the innocent merry-making and the simplicity and gravity of the Baptist, they must have been convinced that the simple naturalness of the wedding was quite consistent with the high ideals for which Jesus stood.
In Christian service certain great principles should be observed. We may find them all in this suggestive story.
(a) Be careful to watch for the appointed hour. “Mine hour is not yet come.” Mary was probably about fifty years of age, and her head was becoming streaked with gray hairs. But probably there was a new light in her eyes and a fresh spring in her step. The tidings which had reached her from the Jordan valley had probably altered the whole outlook of her life. She had been told by some, of the celestial light, that had gathered about the dear figure of Jesus as He had emerged from the river in which the Baptist had baptized Him. Others had heard rumors of a voice from heaven.
For thirty years, she had been waiting for something to happen which would vindicate her honor and reward her husband for his noble action in screening her. Nothing of the kind had, however, happened, and Joseph had died. Now at last, it seemed as though she was likely to witness great unfoldings, and when the servants – probably friends and companions of the bridegroom – told her, that in consequence of the group of men whom Jesus had brought, the wine was nearly exhausted, a new hope sprang up in her breast, and the conviction of miraculous intervention on the part of Jesus seems to have broken upon her heart. So, she whispered to Him across the table that the wine was running short.
He was already aware of it and addressing her by the same noble title that emperors would address to their queens, the Lord replied that He was carefully watching the dial and waiting for the exact moment to present itself for His interposition. “Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.” Herein is a deep lesson for us all. We, apt to be too hasty and precipitate in our actions, need this reminder. We must watch as well as pray. Our eyes must be fixed on the hands of our Saviour, like those on the swift movement of the hands of master or mistress in the old Hebrew households. In the case of Lazarus, the Master remained two days longer in the place where He was. Let us never forget that to everything “there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.” “It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”
(b) Be careful to do exactly as you are bidden. Presently the Lord turned to the leader of the little group of volunteers who were waiting on the guests and asked him to have filled the water-jars which stood near the entrance-door of the home. This request was a severe test to their obedient faith. Each of those great water-pots would hold some twenty gallons, and they had already fulfilled their purpose, for, as we are expressly told, they were used for the Jewish rites of purification. As the guests entered, water drawn from them had been poured over their hands and feet, according to eastern custom. The sand and heat and perspiration of the lands that lie beneath the fervid heat of the sun, demand the frequent application of refreshing ablution. As probably by this time they were empty, it would involve no small amount of labor and time to draw sufficient water from some neighboring well or spring. These men were also needed to attend on the guests. Surely the morrow would be time enough to fill those capacious jars, in anticipation of a fresh relay of guests. But notwithstanding all this, there was no hesitation, and since Mary had bidden them act on the Lord’s command, the servants instantly obeyed. Nor did they give half-hearted response, for we are told that they filled them up to the brim.
So full were they that if a chance leaf, borne on the breeze, had alighted on the brimming contents of one of those great jars, it would have overflowed, and some drops would have spilled on the floor.
If you would serve Christ you must not only wait until He issues His biddings, but you must obey exactly and immediately the commands of the inner still small voice. It can be recognized, amid all the Babel of other voices, by the fact that it never alters, never asks questions, but is always direct and explicit. Often it asks for an obedience which is against, or above, what we might naturally feel disposed to give. Listen to that still small voice – the voice of the Spirit of God, and, whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. It is not yours to question why. It is not yours to make reply.
They who respond with prompt obedience and allow Christ to become their absolute master and director, become transformed into His likeness. Like the angels, they do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word. Stephen Grellet, we repeat, will preach a sermon in a forest, apparently to no audience; and find, eight years afterwards, that a man, hiding in the undergrowth, was converted by his discourse, and finally became an evangelist, through whom large numbers were led to Christ. “The wind bloweth where it listeth, but thou canst not tell whence it cometh, or whither it goeth, so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” Always remember that the inner voice will be accompanied, sooner or later, by the corroboration of outward circumstances. Peter’s vision on the house-top was corroborated by the call from the street below.
(c) Be careful, in the service of Christ, always to give brimful measure. It may be a very small thing. To take a class of poor children; to pay a visit to a dying man or woman; to write a letter; to give a tract or a pocket testament. The jar of opportunity may be a very simple, common act; but it is more than likely, that, if done at the command of Jesus and in His fellowship, it may lead to a marvelous unfolding of God’s purposes. Only do your bit with all your soul, and mind, and strength. Let there be no lack on your part. It is an amazing honor that the Lord should ask our help and honor us as His fellow-workers; let us prove ourselves worthy of His confidence.
Those jars were not filled apart from strenuous labor on the part of the servants. It was not a light matter for them to draw water from a neighboring well and fill those big jars. But they were proud to co-operate with One whose name and fame were beginning to be recognized. So also, the measure of our sacrifice will always be the measure of our success. Is not this the lesson which our Lord intended to teach? This shall occupy our thought more at length; but, in the meantime, let us see to it that we do our best in all service that we render. Never give a message without previous thought and prayer. Never take a class or engage in service to the school, the church, or the community without putting your best into it. Never be content, like Gehazi, to place the prophet’s staff on the face of death; but, like Elisha, lay yourself on the child, your mouth on the cold mouth, your hands on the child’s hands – till the flesh of the child waxes warm. Give your best, your finest, you’re most loving, your brimming answer to any appeal made to you in the name of Jesus.
Then a wonderful thing will happen. It has happened in the experience of many of us. We may have spent a week in thinking out and preparing our sermon. We have filled the water-pot to the brim, but as the time approached for its delivery, we are compelled to feel that it is a very poor attempt, comparable only to water. But as we begin to speak, and see faces suffused with tears or eyes filled with new hope, we realize that the Master has been collaborating with us and has turned the water into wine. “The servants that drew the water knew.” Only the Master and they were in the secret. But how beautiful it is, when there is a secret understanding between Jesus and the servant, who is endeavoring to serve Him. Our fellowship (or partnership), is with Christ. When we go fishing with Him, He shows us when and where we are to let down the net. Sometimes He seems to alter the net from one kind to another. Let it be our aim to enter more deeply into this holy compact. We will mend the net, cleanse it of weed, and let it down into the deep on the right side of the ship. We will fill the jars to the brim. Then let us reckon on Him to do His share. Let people forget the servant (and put him in a bracket) whilst all glory is given to Jesus.
We must admit to our shame, that we sometimes suppose that we can give wine as the result of our own effort. But as we pour it out we find it water, and the people go away uncomforted, uninspired, and unhelped. We all know the immense difference, when a sermon is filled with the unction and power of the Holy Spirit. The preacher is well-nigh forgotten in the transcendent results.
(d) Be careful to remember at how great a cost the Saviour purchased the salvation you proclaim. We cannot turn from this suggestive first miracle, without recalling the words of 1 John 5:6 – “This is He who came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and blood.” That verse is generally quoted as referring to a remarkable fact, which is recorded by the apostle:
“Howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water. And he that hath seen (i.e., John, the narrator) hath borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye may believe.”
Shall we not say with the great Christian hymn:
“Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side that flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save me from its guilt and power.”
It is a beautiful privilege to work along with Christ, but we shall not serve in that blessed apprenticeship long, without learning this lesson, that He has no pleasure in service rendered to Himself or others, that does not cost us blood. This is characteristic of His own service to the world, and you will find that He will soon drop you out unless you are prepared, in your measure, to surrender yourself to the blood-letting, which alone counts in the service of humanity. As we look out on society today we can understand why so many lives are unhappy. They have never learned that the one secret of happiness is to give to the point of self-denial and self-sacrifice. As Phillips Brooks has put it – “They need something to happen which shall force them out on the open ocean of complete self-sacrifice. If only a slow quiet tide or a furious storm would come and break every rope that binds them to the wooden wharves of their own interests and carry them clear out to sea. The soul that trifles and toys with self-sacrifice can achieve neither its true joy nor power. Only the soul that gives itself up forever to the life of others can know the delight and peace which surrender gives.”
This trace of blood in our actions is a matter that we can never talk about. When it is being shed, we must anoint our head and wash our face, that men may have no inkling of what is happening. Neither the right hand nor the left hand must know, nor divulge the secret. It should be remembered, also, that we have no right to deprive wife or child of whatever is necessary. It must be a personal act, reacting on no one but yourself. You must be the one who gives the blood, not they. Keep happy and smiling. When Jesus was performing this miracle, there was no strain or effort, no wrinkle on His forehead, no cloud upon His smile. He drew no attention to Himself; needed no thanks, and stole away unrecognized, at least for the moment, as the giver. Of course there is no merit in such actions. The blood we shed cannot atone, cannot save, cannot cleanse. Only His blood can do that. But, also, it is true that the great soul-winners of the world, have faced the blood of martyrdom, and counted not their lives dear unto themselves.
The best wine is kept till the last. Yes, that is the habit of our dear Lord. The world puts the best on the table first; but its best is soon played out and exhausted. The sparkle is gone from the youth, and the color from the maiden’s cheek. “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” One by one, as the pampered children of this world come to the end of life, they have confessed that the wells of water they have drunk were brackish and that their iridescent bubbles were only soap and water. “The world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
Our Lord is ever giving more and more abundantly, more and more richly. In heaven, after we have been with Him for an age, He will still be leading us to know more and more of the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. He bends over us now with some such words as these:
“Grow old along with me,
The best is yet to be;
The last of life, for which the first was made.”
Our Knowledge of Our Saviour
“Lead me in Thy truth and teach me. Help me not only to serve Thee, but to sit at Thy feet. May I follow on to know Thee. Teach me to share the fellowship of Thy Cross and Grave, that I may one day see Thee take to Thyself Thy great power and reign. Thus, finally, God shall be all-in-all.”