Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Jesus Christ Who Transforms


St. John 1:1-11
 
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. (v. 7)

Devotion

Empty. Emptiness. Being Empty.
 
This state of not being filled or to contain nothing is a problem we all face mostly. Finding a glass without water when we ran to the kitchen as we were thirsty. Empty feelings in our mind due to tensions in life, relations, etc. Emptiness in values around the society and wherever we encounter life. Becoming alone in life for what we do in truthfulness and in our commitment to God. 
 
The passage also mentions certain situations where emptiness was filled in. Firstly, when the wine ran out and Mary came to Jesus to tell about it (v. 3). When Jesus says that His ‘hour has not yet come’, there was a vacuum of leadership to instruct on what to be done (v. 4). Jesus says to fill the jars with water means the jars were empty before that (v. 7). The unawareness of the Master of where the good wine came and how it was served now (v. 9 - 10). The mentioning of the miracle as the ‘first of his signs’ means before that Jesus did not perform any miracles (v.11).
 
In all these situations of emptiness, Jesus fills in with His grace. He makes the necessary transformation for that situation and need, where God can be glorified. Jesus is proving His authority over His creation as the Creator. He goes on to repeat this same upon natural forces and humans also throughout His ministry. Jesus is also engaging in the needs of the people present there. 
 
We all have gone through the state of being empty or known the situation of what others face in life. At times in our faith in our Lord, we have become empty. When we have experienced the touch of transformation in life, it is our turn to touch others by witnessing the love of God. We have to make known to all we meet that Jesus can transform if we submit ourselves fully into his grace. Let us use this time of Great Lent to focus our life and faith as such.

Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for the change you have gifted in me. Help me to ensure in your will and glorify your name. Amen.


Thought for the Day
Be the transformed transformers of Jesus' love and grace.
 
Rev. Naveen Mathew Thomas
Vicar
Ottawa Mar Thoma Church
 

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