Most drivers try to avoid running out of gas. Yet sometimes, we find our emotional tanks full but our spiritual tanks almost empty, running on fumes. 2020 has been that kind of year for many, generating feelings of emptiness and draining us of energy and hope. Perhaps we’re looking for fuel in the wrong places. 

As the fulfillment of God’s promises, Jesus came to announce the arrival of God’s kingdom. He used the institutions and festivals of Judaism to illustrate his identity as the kingdom-bringer. John refers to Jesus’ miracles as signs, emphasizing the significance of his actions rather than the supernatural results. What does he offer those of us who are running on empty?

Emptiness Can Spell Disaster

Weddings in first-century Palestine were much anticipated weeklong, community-wide festivals. A week spent celebrating the married couple’s new life. With a large attendance and an abundance of food and drink, the bride, groom, and his family would receive honor. Therefore, careful planning preceded the celebration.

Jesus and his disciples attended a wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11). Despite painstaking preparations, the wine supply was insufficient. A shortage would bring shame, affecting the family’s social standing (their face) and suggesting uncertainty about the future success of the marriage. Or maybe a suspicion that the groom’s family was less than pleased with the bride. Since wine symbolized prosperity and joy as well as God’s blessing, the implications of running out could be momentous. That Jesus’ mother, Mary, was privy to the unfolding disaster may indicate she was part of the extended family. As expected, she turned to her firstborn son for help. Although Jesus’ response to his mother sounds harsh to Western ears, Mary took no offense. In fact, she seemed relieved, confident he would resolve the problem.

From Empty to Full

Before a meal, Jews cleansed their hands to remove the ritual impurity they had picked up during life’s everyday circumstances. A lengthy feast with many guests would require a sizeable amount of water.

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

John 2:6

After filling the jars with water, Jesus told the servants to take a cup to the master of the banquet. John didn’t reveal when the water became wine, if the servants knew it, or how they felt about taking a sample to the host. Were their hearts pounding and feet dragging? Nevertheless, the master of ceremonies expressed both compliments and amazement at the quality of the wine. 

Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.

John 2:10

From Mary’s statement, “There is no more wine” to 120-180 gallons of the best wine, John emphasized both the quantity and quality of Jesus’ provision.

To What Did the Sign Point?

Jesus often depicted the kingdom of God as a feast—a banquet celebrating the end of exile and the inauguration of the messianic age. The wine points to Jesus’ blood poured out for our forgiveness (Matthew 26:27-29), blood that purifies us from sin (1 John 1:7). So, our purification comes not from rules and rituals but from the King. When we become subjects in God’s kingdom through following Jesus, he cleanses us, and we experience salvation.

God’s promise of wine (in Amos 9:13-14) would have been a symbol of salvation to the Jews. It was against this background that Jesus made wine the source of his first miracle.

Thomas L. McDonald, Wine in the Old Testament

The purpose of signs is to direct attention to something else. John referred to Jesus’ miracles as signs because he wanted people’s response to be awareness more than amazement, belief instead of bewilderment. The transformation of water to wine pointed to the inevitable conclusion that God was at work in and through Jesus. 

The bride and groom faced a potential catastrophe when the wine ran out. But through his compassionate miracle, Jesus accomplished at least three goals. First, he removed the bridal couple’s shame and restored their honor. Second, he revealed his identity as the source of purification. And third, he gave us a preview of the kingdom, a place of joy and abundance.

What to Do If We’re Running on Empty?

Emptiness can also spell disaster for our lives and relationships. If we’ve spent all our emotional and spiritual resources without refueling, we’ve set ourselves up for poverty. So what should we do? 

• Take stock of our supplies. Mary didn’t wait for the crisis to become critical, for the guests to pound the tables. What’s fueling our focus? Maybe self-indulgence, busyness, mindless entertainment, rituals, worry, anger, fear, grief, loneliness. We can be emotionally packed but spiritually empty. How can we have room for God if we’re full of ourselves? Emptiness isn’t necessarily negative. Instead, it creates a space for filling. Desperation can lead to a new direction.
• Turn to Jesus for his solution, believing he’ll do what’s best. Rather than giving him her ideas about solving the problem, Mary placed it in Jesus’ hands and walked away.
• Trust the outcome to Jesus and walk in obedience as the servants did. Step out in faith. When the servants did what they could, Jesus did what they couldn’t. They were responsible for the possible and Jesus for the impossible.

Jesus offers to replace our emptiness with his fullness. How will we respond?