Day of Small Things

One hundred years ago faithful Christians assembled for the first time on this corner (6th and Washington Streets in Marietta, Ohio). They were compelled to move from the West Side to this spot in 1913 because of one of the worst floods in the history of the Ohio Valley. The church here traces its beginnings to a handful of brethren who came together sometime around 1884. Little could they have anticipated the extent to which those initial meetings would ultimately impact this city, our nation, and the world.

In the fifth of his eight visions Zechariah saw a golden lamp stand and the two olive trees (Zechariah 4:1-14). The trees were the two anointed ones, probably Zerubbabel and Joshua, the civil and religious heads of the community. The prophet was given assurance that the temple would be completed, and that the candlestick (oil lamp) or light of the temple would not go out. Zerubbabel, who had laid the foundation, would complete the capstone (Zechariah 4:9). This would be accomplished, not by might and power, but by the Lord (Zechariah 4:6). One should not despise the day of small things (Zechariah 4:10).

The historical background regarding the day of small things is found in Ezra 3:8-13. When the foundation of the temple was completed “All the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid” (Ezra 3:11). “But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy” (Ezra 3:12). “So the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off” (Ezra 3:13).

What had appeared to some as a cause of great joy was for others a cause to weep. True, the new temple would be nothing like the old, but laying the foundation for this temple signified a rebirth of the nation and restoration of worship to God. Those who wept failed to see the big picture. Small beginnings can produce great outcomes.

Look at the trees which line the Washington Street side of our building. Each huge oak started from a single little acorn. Jesus used a similar analogy regarding the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32). Many of today’s huge corporations got their start in someone’s basement or garage. Many of the great educational institutions of our day had very humble beginnings.

Nearly two thousand years ago, one man, Jesus Christ, baptized by His cousin, began a ministry that ultimately changed the world. Satan thought he’d won when Christ was crucified. Little did he understand the significance of the Lord’s resurrection. One empty tomb brought hope to a lost world. One person, one event, one mistake can have profound implications. Never underestimate the significance of little things.

We have come today to celebrate the past. It would be impossible to measure the good that has been done by this congregation over its storied history. But, today is not just about the past, it is also about the future! We are committed to continuing the work of faithfully preaching the gospel both here and abroad. We are resolved to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent. It is our aim to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. These are challenging times, and we must rise to the challenge and let our light shine for Jesus.

Thank you for being here today, and sharing in this celebration with us. To those who are traveling, may God grant you a safe journey home. As we remember our past, may we recommit to the future and unswerving loyalty to our Savior. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).