This entry is part 2 of 17 in the series John

John

Gospel of John, Chapter 2:

Jesus’ Public Ministry is found in chapters 2-11 in the book of John.

1/ Changing Water into Wine (2:1-12)
2/ Cleansing the Temple (2:13-25)

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!”

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.” Jn.2:1-12

This was the first miracle of Jesus, He knew that His miracles will draw the attention of the Jewish Leaders that eventually will lead Him to the cross. This is why He said “My hour has not yet come” because His ministry was just starting. He mentioned about ‘this hour’ also this in other occasions (Jn.7:6, 30, 8:20).

Notice these were not regular water-pots, in biblical times weddings lasted up to 7 days & many people were invited, the drinks consisted only on wine, diluted wine & water, also wine was a normal part of their diet (Gen.4:18, Deut.14:26, etc), but drunkenness was not acceptable (Is. 5:11, Prov.20:1, 23:20-21, Eph.5:18, etc).

Perhaps these empty jars used in the purification ritual could be a symbol of the emptiness of our first birth (water), and the miracle that Jesus performed, as the new transformed life that he was preparing to give to everyone who believed in him (born again), a real purification.

The words “Whatever He says to you, do it” are the final words of Mary recorded in the Word of God. Jesus is the son of God also with Divine attributes like the Father, but Mary was just a vessel & a human being. People who wrongly looks to Mary for guidance should pay attention to her last words.

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.

The Discerner of Hearts

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.

Jn.2:13-25

This act was a Messianic confirmation (Psalms 69:9 & 119:139) & demonstrated Jesus authority over the temple. It was his Father’s house and he had the right to do this. But also shows us that Jesus reproved any irreverent conduct in the house of God and that he would not hesitate to show his indignation against those who degrade holy things. He did this again towards the end of his ministry, which aroused the anger of the Jewish leaders who persecuted Jesus until they crucified Him. But let us not lose sight of what was the main reason for their attitude: Jesus jeopardized their income.
The appreciation that both Jesus and the Jews had for the temple were different. While for Jesus it was a house of prayer (Matt.21:13), the house of his Father, for the Jewish leaders it was a market, their business. Don’t we see the same today? Even when we don’t need a temple any more, because now our body is the temple of God 1 Cor.3:16-17, 6:15-20, 2 Cor. 6:14-18, Eph.2:19.

 

Gospel of John, Chapter 3:

To study the first verses (1-21) of John chapter 3, please go to the next links:

22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.

25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”

27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Jewish leaders refused to be baptized by John (Lk 7:30), and had previously questioned him about his right to baptize (Jn 1:25). The strong impact that John’s ministry had on the people, evidenced that many were looking for a spiritual fulfillment that the purification rites that the Jews practiced did not offer them. They had realized that their rituals had no power to change their lives, but that this is exactly what Jesus was offering them.

As John the Baptist pointed out, he was only “the friend of the bridegroom”.  Among Jews, that friend acted as a mediator to make the wedding arrangements and reunite the groom with the bride. His mission ended once he heard the bridegroom’s voice, when he had been presented with the bride. After that the ‘friend’ had to discreetly withdraw.

In verses 31-36, John the Baptist made a contrast between Jesus and himself. First we see how its origin determines its nature. If the person “is of the earth,” then therefore “is earthly,” which means that he is simply a man. In comparison, the Lord “comes from heaven” and the logical deduction is that He has a Heavenly nature, was sent by God. The Father loves His son, has given Him authority and we should receive His testimony. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life!

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