- araratchurch
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Last time, John took us to a wedding where we saw Jesus’ first miracle.
Before we go to a House cleaning, let’s look at the new people to whom John introduced us last time:
>Mary, the Mother of Jesus
>servants at the wedding
>the master of the feast
>Jesus’ brothers (in a passing remark)
Now, let’s go to this House cleaning!
Just before the Passover, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem. Then, going into the temple, He finds people selling animals (for sacrificing) and doing business. Jesus crafts His own whip, goes in, turns over all the tables of the money changers, and drives everybody out. Jesus then scolds them about making His Father‘s house a house of merchandise. At this point, our guide remarks that seeing Jesus do this, the disciples are reminded of Psalms 69:9 concerning zeal for God‘s House.
The Jewish leaders, taking umbrage to what Jesus had done, demand a sign from Him confirming His authority. Jesus informs them that if they destroy the temple, He would raise it back up in three days. The religious leaders, taking further umbrage, scorn Him, not realizing that Jesus was speaking of His own body. At this point, our guide gives further commentary, letting us know that after Jesus had risen from the dead, the disciples remembered what the Lord had said to the religious leaders. We leave this scene with John, our guide, telling us that many believed during this Passover, having seen the signs that Jesus did. John further informs that Jesus did not put himself in a position to be subject to the people, as He knew what was in everybody’s hearts.
Our highlighted verses for today:
“And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 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. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 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. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,”
John 2:14-16, 18-19, 21, 23-24 NKJV
Question for reflection:
What can we learn from Jesus’ cleansing of the temple that we can apply to ourselves?
Next time, our guide invites us to a secret meeting.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Last time, John took us to see the introduction and induction of the first disciples. We watched as the process began with John the Baptizer again identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God.
Before we go to a wedding with our Lord, let’s look at the new people to whom John introduced us.
>Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother (disciple of John the Baptizer)
>John (our guide, his identity is assumed by the context, disciple of John the Baptizer)
>Simon Peter (brought to Jesus by Andrew)
>Philip (directly called out by Jesus)
>Nathanael (brought to Jesus by Philip)
As we go into John 2, we’ll see Jesus’ first miracle!
On the third day (this is likely counting from the induction of the first disciples), Jesus goes to a wedding in Cana of Galilee. We find out very early on that the wedding celebration was in danger of being cut short as they had run out of wine. We see that Mary approaches Jesus with this information and He gives a very famous response, indicating that His hour had not yet come. Jesus’ mother, seeming ignoring what He has said, tells the servants to obey whatever Jesus tells them to do. The servants bring six large water pots full of water. Jesus tells the servants to draw some of the water out and take it to the master of the feast (the one responsible for what took place at the wedding). Upon the master of the feast tasting it, he remarks of what great quality wine it is. Then John tells us that this sign (miracle) was the beginning of the signs that Jesus would do, manifesting His glory. We leave this scene by being told that Jesus, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples, went to Capernaum for a short visit.
Our highlighted verses for today:
“Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 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!” This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
John 2:2-5, 7-8, 10-11 NKJV
Question for reflection:
Why did Jesus tell his mother that His time had not yet come, but still perform the miracle?
Next time, we get to watch Jesus do a House cleaning!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
Last time, we started out on our journey with John. Amazingly, just in the first 34 verses, we have found out the foundation of basically everything we need to know about Jesus Christ. That is the amazing thing about John being our guide into the life and work of Jesus Christ. Now, from this point, we will be filling in the narrative, as John escorts us from scene to scene. Are you ready to start filling in the wonderful outline John has already given us about our Lord?
Then let’s go!
People to whom John has already introduced us:
>Eternal God - Creator
>Eternal Word - Creator
>John the Baptizer- “The voice of one crying in the wilderness,” sent by God to bear witness of the Light, Jesus Christ
>Jesus Christ - the Word Who became a human being, the Lamb of God, the unique, uncreated Son of God.
>Pharisees’ minions - came to get a report about who John the Baptizer was.
As we go further into John 1, we watch as the first disciples join Jesus.
On the next day, following the events, we considered last time, John, seeing Jesus, again says, “Behold the lamb of God.” Having heard this, two of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s Brother, and John, go and join Jesus. Andrew is specifically named; John is not. But because our guide often leaves his name out of a narrative, we can assume it was he. Andrew goes and finds his brother Simon, who Jesus renamed Cephas (meaning, A Stone). The day after this day, Jesus found Philip and asked him to follow him. Philip found Nathaniel and told him that they had found the one who Moses had prophesied. Nathaniel questions whether anything good can come out of Nazareth. In Jesus’ first interaction with Nathaniel, He spoke to him in such a way as to make Nathaniel realize He is who He says He is. Jesus then tells Nathaniel not to be amazed that He had seen him under the fig tree, as he would soon see heaven open and the angels of God descending and ascending upon the Son of Man. Here, Nathaniel would’ve known that Jesus was referencing Himself as being the bridge between heaven and earth, as seen in Jacob’s vision (Genesis 28).
Our highlighted verses for today:
“And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone). The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.””
John 1:36-38, 40-43, 45-46, 51 NKJV
Question for Reflection:
Why did Andrew and John leave John the Baptizer to follow Jesus?
Next time, Jesus goes to a wedding!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!