God of the Ordinary

Beginnings can give clues to future greatness.

1891. Churchill 16, to friend Murlan Evans: “‘I see further ahead than you do. I see into the future. This country will be subjected somehow, to a tremendous invasion, by what means I do not know, but … I tell you I shall be in command of the defences of London and I shall save London and England from disaster.”

“Will you be a general then, in command of the troops?”

“I don’t know dreams of the future are blurred but the main objective is clear. I repeat—London will be in danger and in the high position I shall occupy, it will fall to me to save the Capital and save the Empire”.

Prescient indeed! The man present in the child.

Here first of Jesus’s ‘signs’. Jesus around 30

Gives clue to coming ministry, tells us something who he is

“Manifested his glory” such that “his disciples believed in him”.

But note this: how ordinary it all is.

Now, don’t want to diminish! Astonishing! I mean the setting.

This first of signs, bursting onto stage. Yet rural backwater.

Back room with servants, not Jerusalem, or even main room.

Didn’t even seek to do it! Carried out at request of mother.

Why not start raising Lazarus. Gained attention!

No, here bailing out young couple in village. How telling…

Note village setting. Jesus brought up rural. Carpenter

Challenges idea that only metropolitan has value. Starts rural.

Content to minister smaller groupings. None to small for Jesus.

No-one to lowly to be noticed by the messiah

Note too that this miracle was a response to a concern.

It was Mary who was concerned. All she did was bring problem.

Didn’t offer solutions, or think of way through. Just came to Jesus

Had confidence he would know what to do.

Are our prayers held back as cannot see a way out of a situation?

How often are our prayers simply telling God what he should do?

Better simply bring situation, lay it at feet of God and allow him to decide what to do.

Therein lies a real, trusting faith.

We would do well to notice that this all takes place in a home.

Yes, wedding but held house. Marks start of domestic life.

Jesus starts not Temple, but home. In everyday. Not just Sunday

The sink as much as the altar. God not trapped in stone!

We pray and worship wherever. And God hears.

Finally note the grace in all of this

Superabundant grace which produces over 100 gallons of wine!

Enough for a whole gathering, and enough for the whole week!

Breadth Jesus’s grace demonstrated, and blushes groom spared.

Nothing too ordinary to bring before Christ in prayer.

His grace extends even matters which seem too trivial for God.

And what overflowing grace it is!

Cana gives much comfort as amazement

Ministry redeemer world began backroom in remote village.

It dealt with a feast running out of wine.

O Christian! There is nothing too small to bring before Christ in prayer, and no-one to small to utter that prayer.

God knows each and every one of his children.

As Jesus himself reminds you: “Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered” (Luke 12:7).

So be confident. And pray.