Empty Waterpots

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John 2:6 – And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.


The account of the wedding at Cana where our Lord performed His first miracle is silent about what the world would be interested: the names of the bride and groom, what the bride wore, and who all was in attendance. Instead it beckons us examine the power of our Lord and what He can do with empty waterpots.

The emptiness of the waterpots is implied in the text, otherwise they couldn’t have been filled. Luther said, “God creates out of nothing. Therefore, until a man is nothing, God can make nothing out of him.” Many Christians are never filled and used because they are never empty to start with. Their waterpots are often full of sin, selfishness, and strife.

It is the availability of the waterpots not the ability of them that was important. He uses the waterpots because they are empty and available. The Lord does not want you to loan Him your talent. He wants you to give Him yourself!

            He tells the servants to “Fill the waterpots with water.” Every Christian has the Holy Spirit but every Christian is not filled with the Spirit. An empty waterpot is of no use until it is filled so the Master can use it. We are commanded to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).

A young couple was saved out of the nightclub industry. They were talented and successful. Giving their testimony they said, “We want to use our talents for the Lord.” After the meeting the preacher asked them frankly, “What talents from a nightclub could you possibly give to the Lord?” They thought about it and said, “None I guess.” The preacher said, “God wants you to be empty waterpots, only then will He use you.