“…I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit…” – John 15:16 (NIV)
Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary is about overcoming comfort zones, pursuing ambitious goals, and finding ways to express wonder and connection to others. There is a biblical account in John 2:1-11 of a wedding at Cana, where Jesus’ presence at a wedding turned the lack of wine into a miraculous gift, demonstrating His ability to make the commonplace extraordinary.
Jesus and His disciples were present at a wedding. Jesus’ mother, Mary, appears to be involved in the wedding, suggesting it may be that of a family member or a family friend. While there, something unfortunate occurred: the hosts ran out of wine.
It’s the groom’s responsibility to provide fitting hospitality to all the guests. To run out of wine is insulting to everyone present. Mary approached Jesus about the situation: “…They have no more wine” (Verse 3), implying He should do something about it. He responded, “Why do you involve Me?” (Verse 4). Jesus, however, never sinned. Despite His mild rebuke in the form of a question, He did obey His mother. Though He did not leave heaven to please men, otherwise, He never would have offered His life as a sacrifice for sin, and told His mother, “My hour has not yet come.” (Verse 4), Mary was confident Jesus could and would do something. Mary demonstrated faith – a willingness to leave everything in Jesus’ hands, confident that whatever He said and did was best (Verse 5).
Without any outward sign that He can transform one substance into another (the ordinary into the extraordinary), He made the servants fill six large stone water jars (between twenty and thirty gallons). He turned the water into wine. But the wine Jesus created was far superior to what they had before (Verse 10). The quality of the wine testifies to the extraordinary nature of what Jesus did. There was no other conclusion than that it was miraculous. That is the power of Jesus. He can do it because He is the Creator.
Friends, Jesus has the power to transform people’s lives. Scriptures say, “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” (Verse 11). The power of Jesus to transform water into wine is fantastic, but the power to transform a rebellious sinner into a saint is even more remarkable. The works and words of Jesus transformed the lives of His disciples from ordinary men into bold witnesses of His unmatched power. Would you allow Jesus to transform your life today?
Prayer
Father, we thank You for Your transforming power. Even now, we surrender our lives to You and pray that You would take us from ordinary to extraordinary for Your honor and glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: 1 Chronicles 16:8; Philippians 4:13Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 119:73-80; 1 Timothy 6:3-21; Jeremiah 46; Jeremiah 47