Possibilities

“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26

Miracle…it’s a word loaded with implications and misunderstanding in today’s society. Opinions on miracles range from sold-out belief to adamant denial of their existence. Despite where your opinion falls on this scale, there is one thing that I want you to understand: Because Jesus Christ is real, miracles are real. If you deny the existence of all miracles, then you are denying the power and work of God through His Son Jesus Christ.

Jesus began His ministry with a miracle at a wedding. It wasn’t particularly spectacular. In fact, it was perhaps the most simple of all the miracles He performed during His time on earth. Did the lame walk? Did the blind receive sight? Did the sick become well? Not on this day. On this day, the wedding host ran out of wine. At His mother’s request, Jesus turned water into wine and the celebration went on without a hitch (John 2).

Isn’t it surprising that Jesus’ first miracle recorded in Scripture was so…ordinary? Do you think it is a coincidence that this was His first miracle? Perhaps God is telling us something about His character and His desires. Perhaps this most simple of miracles is intended to encourage us. After all, not all of our problems are “walking on water” situations, are they? Some days, we just “run out of wine.” Does Jesus care about our problems? Is there any need that is too small for Him to bother with? Based on His actions at the wedding in Cana, I would say not.

Our problems – all of them – are God’s possibilities. They are His possibilities to display His power. They are His possibilities to teach us and to grow our faith. They are His possibilities to show us, and others, His faithfulness and love. Our problems are the backdrop for His glory.

There is another wonderful truth that this miracle teaches us. God desires to be involved in even the smallest details of our lives. He not only wants to heal us and raise the dead places in our lives…He also wants to fill us up when we are empty. When we run out of steam, out of patience or forgiveness or money or energy He wants to be the One who fills us up again to overflowing.

Is there anything you are running out of today? If so, take it to Jesus and allow Him to perform a miracle. With Him, all things are possible.

Father, thank You for the miracle of salvation. Please help me to remember that there is always hope in You. Give me the faith to trust You more today. In Jesus’ name, amen.