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There are a few things that come to mind for me as I read and re-read this text… let’s start with the following:

1 - 120 - 180 gallons of water - that’s a lot of water. (six stone jars)
2 - The water was for purification - note again that is was 6 stone jars
3 - Saving the best for last - the wine is also a representation of the blood of Christ 

1- Let’s start at the beginning - namely with the numbers.  Instead of thinking about how much water there actually was - consider this.  Six was the number used in biblical texts to represent humans - and imperfection.  Seven is the number of perfection (and as Pastor Todd pointed out in the sermon on Sunday - God always goes overboard when giving us gifts and blessings and lessons).

2 - Purification - in Jewish rituals there was often some sort of work around purification and cleanliness.  The ritual of washing was not like we wash hands before we eat - but a symbol of cleanliness and interestingly a way of separating the clean from the unclean.  There were many stipulations in Jewish laws and traditions to be clean…and to be able to differentiate between the clean and unclean.

3 - Saving the best for last - this is one of the amazing miracles that we can observe 2000 years later and have a clearer understanding along with the narratives of Jesus’ ministry on earth.  While water represents purification, wine represents the blood of Christ.  May it be ever evident to us, that there is more than enough of the blood of Christ to cover us and wash away our uncleanliness - Grace abounds.

This is the first of the miracle stories of Jesus - and a reminder that the best is yet to come….

Peace,
Pastor Erin