The Little Things Series

John is illustrating the spiritual truth that Jesus, the Messiah, is able to accomplish what the law could not. The law was important but imperfect…incomplete…and unable to fully satisfy our spiritual needs, but Jesus, with the new wine of Grace and God’s Kingdom is able to satisfy beyond our ability to exhaust his resources. This was just the FIRST sign Jesus would use to begin revealing himself as the Messiah.

What Does This Story Reveal About Jesus?

While the spiritual truth…the “story behind the story” is important, there is another facet of this story that I want us to focus on this morning. I want us to explore what Jesus “looked like” as he saved the day for this bridegroom and his family.

And whether we choose to focus on the historical fact of the story or whether we choose to focus on the “story behind the story” it’s important to notice how Jesus went about ministering to those present.

Running out of wine would certainly have been a big deal for the families involved. The social consequences were very real, but in the scheme of things…life…marriage…The Kingdom of God…salvation and sin…coming up short on wine isn’t real that major. In the scheme of Jesus’ ministry, whether or not this couple had enough wine at their wedding probably would have made little difference. BUT it would have matter to this couple and their parents. It mattered to the guests and because it mattered to these very real people…IT MATTERED TO JESUS. JESUS WAS WILLING TO CONCERN HIMSELF WITH THE LITTLE THINGS. And that is a beautiful part of our compelling portrait of Jesus.

Jesus is very interested in the little things. If it matters to me and it matters to you…then it matters to Jesus.

As Jesus ministered at this wedding, notice several things about his approach.

• He was comfortable being at the party (He wasn’t afraid of being defiled by those around him who were “worldly”)

• He was happy…I don’t see Jesus being a kill-joy. He was there to celebrate with joy this wonderful event in the life of the couple

• He had compassion in that he was willing to act on behalf of another (the bridegroom)

• He was self-less…he cared about the wellbeing of the bridegroom and his family. Knowing what a social embarrassment this would be and know that there could even be financial and legal issues he selflessly intervened and protected the family from disgrace and possible hardship.

Jesus cared enough about the small stuff to allow himself to be inconvenienced. He responded with kindness, compassion, joy and selflessness. And in so doing…he revealed his glory and people put their faith in him.

So What?

If our goal in revealing this compelling portrait of Jesus is to use that portrait as a measuring stick for our own lives…then we need to stop for a moment and consider how we handle the little things. Not the little things in our own lives, but those things in the lives of others that we are tempted to say “that’s no big deal” when it truly does matter to the other person. Are we willing to exhibit risky behavior and, like Jesus, be concerned with the small stuff?