The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 293 -
The Broken Water Jug
NOW MARY still had the jug wherein she carried water when the angel delivered the most holy message to her.
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She had a high regard for this jug - indeed it was a downright sacred relic to her,
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and she did not even like to have anyone take this jug and drink from it.
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And one time, about eight days after the wonder had taken place at Salome's, Mary was alone in the house with Jesus.
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She was busy washing and needed fresh water,
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so she went over to Jesus and said to Him, 'You could easily get me a jug full of fresh water -
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here, You may even use this jug which was sanctified through You!'
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Jesus took the jug and went to the well with it, near which Joseph was performing a few chores with the other children.
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Hereupon Jesus hit the jug somewhat roughly against a rock, and it fell to the ground broken in many pieces.
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One of the girls saw this and said, 'Ouch, oh, oh! That will be bad - now the holy jug of the housemistress is gone! - But my dear Jesus, why were You not more careful?
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My, but mother will be cross with You for that! Oh, oh, You can really look forward to that!'
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This seemed to irk Jesus somewhat, and He said to the girl,
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'What is it to you what I do? - You just see to it that you finish your spinning.
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I shall still bring plenty of fresh water to Mary despite the broken jug.'
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And the girl declared, 'I certainly would like to see just how one can bring fresh water into the house without a jug.'
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Here Jesus quickly took His little red coat, gathered it together at the ends, dipped water with it and carried it into the house to Mary without losing a drop.
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And they all followed Him into the house because of this wonder.
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When Mary saw this, she was shocked and asked, 'But Child, what happened to the jug?'
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And Jesus answered, 'See, that has long been a thorn in My eye! Therefore I tested its miraculous power against a rock -
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and lo, there was none about nor in it; so it immediately broke into little pieces.
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Now I would say that where I am, I certainly should be considered as more important than some stupid jug, which is not an iota better than any other.'
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To these words Mary said no more and engraved them deep into her heart.
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The girl did not say any more either; for she loved Jesus.
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And Jesus said to her, 'See, that way I like you better than when you wag your tongue needlessly.' - And the girl was content with this little rebuke and thereupon spun her yarn industriously.