Yesterday we thought about Whatever Jesus tells you, make sure that you do it! from John 2.6. And what did Jesus tell the servants to do?

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. (John 2.6, 7, NIV)

This is the part most of us remember, I think. Fill the jars. And they did. But the question is, when did the water become wine? The answer, according to The Passion Translation, may surprise you. It did me:

Jesus came to the servers and told them, “Fill the pots with water, right up to the very brim.” Then he said, “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the master of ceremonies.” And when they poured out their pitcher for the master of ceremonies to sample, the water became wine! (John 2.7 – 9, The Passion Translation, emphasis mine)

The miracle happened when the servants completed their obedience. Water, or even wine, sitting in stone jars wouldn’t do any good. The water/wine had to be put into service by the action of the servants.

Similarly, the bread and fish multiplied in the process of distribution, not before:

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, [Jesus] gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. (Luke 9.16, NIV)

Sometimes, it appears, we need to act in faith, and the miracle happens “on the way.” I’ve seen that in this daily blog. I’ve written 391 so far since January 2019, and, as another daily blogger just told me, “It takes a miracle every day!” The ideas come as we commit to sharing them.

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. (Luke 17.11 – 14, ESV)