The Story Of The Reeds

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | Jan 1987

They stand almost 15 feet high on the banks of eastern streams and rivers. They move with the breeze and gentle lapping of the waters. Here people came to gather the 3 inch diameter reeds which belong to the papyrus family, their flexibility being ideal for making baskets of various shapes and sizes. An anxious mother, living nearby, might have disturbed the quietness of the river area where they grew, as she gathered enough of these reeds one day to make a receptacle for the hiding of her baby boy. A tyrant-king had issued his edict that all male babies were to be drowned; but Jochebed's child was one of destiny, a goodly child, one of special interest to God. Her fingers moved rapidly, as only a woman's can in emergencies, weaving in the secrecy of the home, a boat, or ark, that would contain her precious son. It would lie waterproofed among the very reeds from which it was made; and God's eye would be upon it. The reeds were a place of safety, for the child's life was preserved. His name, Moses, would constantly remind him when he became prince, shepherd, leader, statesman, of the preserving hand of God in his life, for it means "taken out of the water".

From these reeds of protection in the land of Egypt, for that is where Moses was born, we journey to a smaller, pretty town in the north of Israel. It is named Cana, and it is located near Nazareth in Galilee where Jesus grew up. Cana means "the place of the reeds"; one other root meaning of the name is to bend, bow, stoop, possibly taken from the appearance of the reeds growing in the area. It was at Cana of Galilee that Jesus performed His first miracle when He changed the water into wine at the wedding feast. His disciples then and now are made aware of the "good wine" He provides when all others fail, for it speaks of the restoration of His joy in life, in service, in the home, in the workplace, for "wine maketh glad the heart of man". We can plan, programme, organize, as they did for the wedding feast, but human endeavour is not sufficient. Christ alone is the source of all true joy; human effort by Christians is subject to failure. Listening is important when the Lord says such things as, "for apart from Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). God wants to fill lives with Christ, that is why it is essential to recognize the significance of the stone water jars being empty at the feast. They remind us that the joy of human effort comes to an end and needs to be replaced with some thing more enduring. The One who could command light to shine out of darkness, demons to come out of men, multitudes to be fed with a few loaves and fishes, a dead man to come from the grave, that day commanded at Cana: "Fill the waterpots with water". It was done. "Draw out now", He again commanded, "and bear to the ruler of the feast". That was done, and immediately the water changed to wine. One who drank described it as "good wine". Good means worthy, virtuous, valuable, the very adjectives used to describe Christ as the Good Shepherd. So Cana, the place of reeds, became the place of provision.

The blessings of protection and provision at the place of the reeds can encourage Christians to value more than ever a quiet place beside the still waters, as David did, for restoration of soul. Quiet times with the living word where we can find the joy of Christ seem to be more needful than ever in these days of stress and uncommon demand. We can view our Bible as our stone jar filled with the precious water of life in all its refreshment, and as we draw out and taste we experience that joy, satisfaction, comfort, and peace, which comes with knowing Christ, whom to know is life eternal. He is our protector and provider, One who never fails. Daily we need to hear His quiet whisper as we read and meditate: "Draw out now". And we do so, for our benefit and that of others.

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Jan 1987
General