New wine represents the Holy Spirit, harvest, joy, intimacy with God, and miracles. New wine also speaks of the “now” move of the Holy Spirit.
And if you are thirsty for God, or experiencing a shortfall, this word will encourage you.
For in an instant of listening and responding to Jesus, He can take you from zero to overflow!
And you will see God’s power in unexpected places.

From “No Wine” to New Wine

In John chapter 2, the glory of God gate-crashes a wedding in Cana, Galilee. Yet, few of those attending are aware of it!

• But what they do know, is that the wine they taste is of higher quality than any they have experienced before

The miracle takes place after Mary informs Jesus, “They have no wine”. And this is a reminder, that supply issues—whenever they show up—are an opportunity to encounter Jesus.

Then, after a brief exchange, we read that
“Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.”

When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.” (John 2:6-8 NLT)

The New Wine is Now

When the master of ceremonies tastes the miracle wine, he calls the bridegroom over.

• “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” (John 2:10, NLT)

It is a new wine, the glory of God on display. And it has never been tasted in the earthly realm before.

New Wine: 4 Ways You Can be a Vessel for God’s Glory

Today, I believe the Holy Spirit is highlighting the image of the jars. And He is prompting us to ask—what is it about these stone jars, that causes Jesus to turn to them at this moment?

Because God’s word tells us that we are also vessels for His glory.
Paul writes, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (2 Cor 4:7, NKJV)

1. Proximity

John recalls, “Standing nearby were six water jars”.
So, the jars were nearby and close at hand!

And there is power in your proximity today—your presence, even at this moment.

This reminds me of when the ruling priests arrest Peter and John. The rulers are astonished to realize that Peter and John are “unschooled, ordinary men”!
And “they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

Likewise, proximity will mark you with the presence of God.

• It is personal but also relates to our gatherings. As Jesus said, “When two or more gather there I am in the midst of them.”(Matt 18:20)

Right now, you are in the zone of proximity. Hear the Lord say, “I love you! I choose you!”

It is a new era and God is pouring His new wine forth through you.

2. Availability

Jesus looks to see what is available, and there are the jars, standing ready!

The Lord wants you to know, there is power in your availability! And God is filling you and making you His glorious vessel.

In 2 Kings chapter 4, a widow whose husband has passed away comes to Elisha. And she is distressed because the creditors are on the way to collect her sons as slaves.
So the prophet says, “What do you have in the house—what do you have available?”
She replies, “All I have in the house is a jar of oil”.

• And Elisha tells the woman to collect empty vessels from the neighbors and to start pouring from her jar into the available jars

God is using your “ordinary” for His glory, as you surrender what you have to Him. And He will replenish your supply!

3. Compatibility

“Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing…”
(John 2:6 NLT)

Notice the vessels are already in service; they are consecrated—and Jesus finds them suitable for the miracle.

So, He uses what is already set apart for special use.
Today, the Lord asks, “Will you be one who is set apart for my use? For I love you, and have designed you with a purpose”.

Similarly, in 2 Tim 2:21, Paul tells Timothy to “…be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”

And this is important:

• It doesn’t say that we are prepared BY every good work—but FOR every good work
• In other words, good works don’t make you ready for God: instead, God makes you ready for good works

What great news! For this “compatibility” is not found through duty, trying, or effort, but your compatibility is in a Person.
It’s found in your reliance upon Jesus.

4. Receivability

“…Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies…” (John 2:7-8 NLT)

Before Jesus turns the water into wine, He instructs the servants to fill the vessels up.
In other words, the jars needed to be topped up before they could be tipped out! That is because they had already been in use!

And this is you today:
Just as the jars had to receive the water before they could supply others—God has a fresh infilling of His Spirit for you, along with a gift of transformation.

So, even when you feel weary, God says, “My glory is in the ordinary, I choose you!”
Will you be a vessel for God to fill today?

The Value of the Jars

So, what was the value of the jars? They weren’t special metals, like gold or silver, but only stone pots.
But here are 4 qualities they did have:

• Proximity, availability, compatibility, and receivability

And if it has seemed recently as though you have been stuck “in the ordinary”, this verse is for you:
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
(2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV)

That word translated as “excellency” in the original Greek means “a throwing beyond” (Strong’s G5236).

You may wonder what you can offer, but God is revealing His power through you. And it is above and beyond what you have seen before!

There’s New Wine in the Water

What is this new wine God has kept for this hour? The wine that is unique, that is Divine, and that has never been tasted in the earthly realm before?

It is His gift to the world through you.
There’s something in the water. It’s the new wine of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus is serving it through you!
For you contain His unique blend: you have anointed gifts, and abilities, that no one else has.

And today is an opportunity to say, “Yes Lord, I offer myself up to You, that you may pour in and through me.”

Leave a Comment
Can you relate to this snapshot from the story of the new wine? Number 3 (compatibility) inspires and reminds me of God’s extravagant grace.
I’d love to hear from you, so leave a comment or your prayer requests in the comments box below.

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There’s Power in Your Prophetic Discernment: Here’s My Best Advice

Do you have a gift of discernment? I highly recommend you develop your prophetic gift, to use in conjunction with discernment.

• And here’s why: when we focus on God’s intention (Matt 6:10), we can pray and speak God’s will to bring it about
• We can respond according to what we see the Father doing (not only what we see the enemy doing)

As discerners, we can keep our senses open to the Holy Spirit, wherever we are.
Even when we’re confronted by a negative atmosphere.

So, some questions we can ask are:
“Father, what are you doing? What is the atmosphere YOU are bringing, how are You at work here? How are You intending to manifest Your Kingdom in this situation?”

Here’s a key: Make Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1, your own prayer request.

“…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened…” (Eph 1:17-18a)

(Excerpt from the Prophetic School—see below)

Prophetic School: With Bonus Discernment eBook Until 30 April

The best mentoring and teaching I can give you is now rolled into this one place, on the Enliven School of Prophecy and Discernment.

Classes include: How to hear God’s voice, How to Begin and Grow in Prophecy, The Character of the Prophet, The Seer Gift: How to Grow in Pictures and Visions, Prophetic Discernment, Discernment and Prophetic Warnings, and the Prophetic Guidance Master Class.

You can view and sign up for my self-paced video lecture series in the Enliven Prophetic School here. Choose between a small monthly subscription or a one-off payment (currently discounted) with no expiry date.

Until 30th April, you also can receive a bonus copy of “Unlocking the Gift of Discernment” inside the course.

Alternatively, you can view all online courses, including the Prophetic Worship + Creative School here.

© 2023 Helen Calder, Enliven Blog

Enliven Ministries: Prophetic ministry for a revival generation

Helen Calder

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.