Welcome back! Today we are in chapter 2 of the Gospel of John. We have a quick read today!
The following headings and verses were all taken from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible. The red are Jesus’ words and the blue is my own commentary.
If you missed chapter 1, check it out here. Enjoy!
John Chapter 2
Jesus Changes Water Into Wine
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee, Jesus’ mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
Jesus is telling his mom that he was not planning to begin performing miracles just yet.
Jesus is about 30 at this time, and has been a carpenter all of his life, up until now. He has lived much like a regular man, and is just about to begin preaching and performing miracles.
But we can assume that his mother, Mary, is no stranger to what he is capable of, and right now she’s hoping for some more wine.
5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
Isn’t it so cool that God doesn’t need our help at all, yet he loves to include us in His miracles and His big plan. Jesus used the servants to turn the water into wine at this wedding, and I believe we receive a similar invitation every day.
11What 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.
12After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
Jesus Clears the Temple Courts
13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts he found people settling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15So he made a whip out of chords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Jesus was not happy with the market that had been made out of a place of worship. He was flipping tables!
He was overcome with passion, just like you get angry when someone you love has been mistreated.
The verse that his disciples remember in verse 17, is Pslam 69:9. In this moment, a prophecy is fulfilled.
18The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
They jump ahead a little here in verse 22, but Jesus’ death and resurrection is to come, and it will be then that his disciples recall what Jesus said at this moment. A quick foreshadow.
23Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
Jesus is God in the flesh. He knew all about those people then, and He knows all about you too. And He loves you like no one else ever could. If you don’t believe me now, stick around to see what He does.
Two chapters down, 19 to go! See you tomorrow for chapter three.
~Ari
