One Year Journey Through the New Testament
John 2
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Christ Changes Water to Wine
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”
(John 2:1–10, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- In this second chapter of John, we see the story of Jesus’ first public miracle. Either the third day of Jesus’ ministry (following up on the next day of John 1), or else on a Tuesday (the third day of the week), Jesus is a guest at a wedding in Cana in Galilee.
- For some reason, the host of the wedding ran out of wine. Mary mentioned this to Jesus. He asked what this problem had to do with Him. Then His mother told the servants to do whatever He said to do.
- Jesus instructed them to put water in some water pots, and when they did, they were filled with wine. He then told them to take a sample to the host. It was the best wine they had drunk all that day of the feast. Go figure!
The Disciples Believe
11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.
(John 2:11–12, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- In this small section, John adds a summary of the first few days of Jesus’ ministry, speaking of the glory He manifested, and the disciples growing faith and devotion to Jesus.
- After the wedding, the disciples and Jesus went to Capernaum for a few days.
Christ Cleanses the Temple
13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”
18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”
19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. (John 2:13–25, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- The last section in this chapter chronicles Jesus’ cleansing of the temple.
- Passover season was upon them, and Jesus went to Jerusalem.
- He found people selling animals for sacrifice in the temple. This elicited a strong reaction from Jesus. He made a whip and drove them out. He explained that the house of God had been turned into a house of merchandise. This was not necessarily because they sold sacrifices, as many brought money to Passover to buy a suitable animal to sacrifice. However, this had become a price-gouging affair akin to blackmail. This was not right.
- Some Jews asked by whose authority Jesus did these things. They requested a sign to prove His authority. Jesus told them that if they destroyed the temple that He would raise it up again in three days. They thought He meant the Temple building, but He was discussing His own body.
- While He was in Jerusalem for Passover, Jesus did many miracles and signs, and many believed in Him when they observed His power. But Jesus remained somewhat unknown, because He knew what their reaction would be.
- Jesus’ ministry was all about timing. He did not move before it was the right time. We can take this example to heart. Timing in everything. Believe that God will direct your path if you will listen to Him.
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 