LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT

October 26, 2010

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT

John 2:1-12

Marc Bellah

Central Truth

The Lord can reveal Himself even in the less critical events of our lives.

This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. (John 2:11)

The Wedding at Cana

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.^{1

2:6
Greek two or three measures (metrtas); a metrts was about 10 gallons or 35 liters} 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers^{2

2:12
Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters} and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Footnotes

[1] 2:6 Greek two or three measures (metr&emacron;tas); a metr&emacron;t&emacron;s was about 10 gallons or 35 liters
[2] 2:12 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters

Have you ever wondered why the first miracle Jesus performs is turning water into wine at a wedding reception? When I consider His other miracles—such as healing the blind, lame, and sick; bringing Lazarus back from the grave; or feeding the multitudes—these appear to me to be miracles that were performed amidst urgent circumstances and on a really grand scale.

Why then would the first miracle of His public ministry address a situation that, on the surface, seems comparatively less critical? Now, as a married man (see the devoted husband portion of my bio above), I readily recognize that wedding receptions are important. But come on, is helping a newly married couple avoid the difficulties of a wedding celebration gone bad really important enough to be Jesus’ first miracle? Wow, okay—so what does that teach?

In part, what it teaches me is that the God of the universe has an interest in even the less critical details of my life. It teaches me that my God is great—He is sovereign over all creation—and He is also good. He loves me. He loves me enough to care about all aspects of my life, even the little things. I'm reminded that He knows all about me, all my actions, all my words, even all my thoughts (Psalm 139:2-4). He knows the number of hairs on my head (Matthew 10:30). He knows all my struggles, big and little, and He provides victory (1 Corinthians 10:13, Philippians 4:13). He hears all my prayers, even the little ones, and answers (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 John 1:9).

Jesus’ disciples witnessed this first sign and believed in Him (John 2:11). If you have witnessed God's work, I pray that you will confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9), believe in your heart that He loves you (Romans 5:8), and trust that He can completely transform your life (2 Corinthians 5:17)—even the little things.

1. How has our sovereign God revealed Himself, big or small, in your life?

2. Will you praise and thank Him today for even the little things?

3. If you have not done so, will you surrender ALL parts of your life, big and small, to Him?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In this passage Jesus performed His first miracle. What is a miracle? (Answer: something wonderful only God can do.)

2. What are some of the other miracles Jesus performed while He was on earth?

3. Jesus performed miracles to show people that He is God. How do we see God revealed in our lives today? (Possible answers: seeing His beauty in creation, feeling His love through other people, in prayer to Him and the study of His Word, etc.)