21 Day Bible Reading Challenge
Day 2: John 2 - 21 Day Bible Reading Challenge
Hello again, Everyone. I'm excited and humbled by yesterday's response for John:1. There were many touching and heart felt comments, prayers, and words from people. Very encouraging!
Today we continue to get to know Jesus in our study of the Gospel of John. A lot happens in today's chapter (John 2) including the very first miracle Jesus performed: turning water into wine at a wedding feast.
In John chapter 2 we see Jesus celebrating a wedding with friends and family. It's not uncommon to think that we as Christians must always be serious as we go about Christ's work. But then we miss out on the joy and fellowship that comes from celebrating God's good work!
We learn more about Jesus in the second half of the John:2 when He visits the temple in Jerusalem. As John describes Jesus chasing out the merchants, he quotes a verse from the Psalms: "zeal for your house will consume me." When Jesus saw people dishonoring God in the very place designed for worship, He couldn't let such a thing stand.
The Apostle Paul would later describe our own bodies as a temple to God. So, how are you honoring God today?
PRAYER
Our Father, We understand that we can't provide our own internal fulfillment and joy and that we need you. You are the only one who can bring joy and fill all the empty parts of us. We pray that as we continue in our reading of John that our faith in you would deepen and that we would get continue to know and understand who you were and your heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.
John 2 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Wedding at Cana
2 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.[a] 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers[b] and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple,[c] and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Jesus Knows What Is in Man
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
***
Now here's a memorable story: Jesus turns water into wine. But has it ever struck you as kind of an odd miracle? I mean, Jesus is known for healing the sick and the lame and for driving out demons. But did He really get his start performing "social miracles" like this? It's a bit like watching a Before They Were Stars special.
So, why is this story important? That's a good question, but there's a danger to avoid in answering it. Be careful how much you read into the specifics of any Bible story. If you wanted to, you could launch an in-depth study of how the word "water," for instance, is used in the Bible. What was wine like in Jesus' day? The word "bridegroom" comes up elsewhere in Scripture--in Revelation Jesus is seen as the bridegroom of the Church. Is that important here?
These are interesting questions, but the Bible actually tells us quite plainly why this story is here. "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him" (2:11, ESV). This miracle was done for the disciple's benefit.
A lot of bad theology comes from reading too deeply into the words of the Bible. But God hasn't made the truth hard to find. You just have to accept it when you see it.
REFLECTION & APPLICATION
Think about what you read today, Does it change how you view Jesus at all? Do you find yourself becoming too serious sometimes? Have your forgotten God created joy and fun and fulfillment? Or are you like the merchants in the temple? Uncaring and unconcerned about how your actions reflect upon God. We need to have a healthy respect and awe of God but we should ask ourselves is this God's Kingdom I'm living in our my own? Do I let God fill me with Joy or do I look to this world?
If you want to read ahead here is a link where you can find the scripture:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+2&version=ESV
We look forward to your comments and questions below!
Today we continue to get to know Jesus in our study of the Gospel of John. A lot happens in today's chapter (John 2) including the very first miracle Jesus performed: turning water into wine at a wedding feast.
In John chapter 2 we see Jesus celebrating a wedding with friends and family. It's not uncommon to think that we as Christians must always be serious as we go about Christ's work. But then we miss out on the joy and fellowship that comes from celebrating God's good work!
We learn more about Jesus in the second half of the John:2 when He visits the temple in Jerusalem. As John describes Jesus chasing out the merchants, he quotes a verse from the Psalms: "zeal for your house will consume me." When Jesus saw people dishonoring God in the very place designed for worship, He couldn't let such a thing stand.
The Apostle Paul would later describe our own bodies as a temple to God. So, how are you honoring God today?
PRAYER
Our Father, We understand that we can't provide our own internal fulfillment and joy and that we need you. You are the only one who can bring joy and fill all the empty parts of us. We pray that as we continue in our reading of John that our faith in you would deepen and that we would get continue to know and understand who you were and your heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.
John 2 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Wedding at Cana
2 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.[a] 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers[b] and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple,[c] and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Jesus Knows What Is in Man
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
***
Now here's a memorable story: Jesus turns water into wine. But has it ever struck you as kind of an odd miracle? I mean, Jesus is known for healing the sick and the lame and for driving out demons. But did He really get his start performing "social miracles" like this? It's a bit like watching a Before They Were Stars special.
So, why is this story important? That's a good question, but there's a danger to avoid in answering it. Be careful how much you read into the specifics of any Bible story. If you wanted to, you could launch an in-depth study of how the word "water," for instance, is used in the Bible. What was wine like in Jesus' day? The word "bridegroom" comes up elsewhere in Scripture--in Revelation Jesus is seen as the bridegroom of the Church. Is that important here?
These are interesting questions, but the Bible actually tells us quite plainly why this story is here. "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him" (2:11, ESV). This miracle was done for the disciple's benefit.
A lot of bad theology comes from reading too deeply into the words of the Bible. But God hasn't made the truth hard to find. You just have to accept it when you see it.
REFLECTION & APPLICATION
Think about what you read today, Does it change how you view Jesus at all? Do you find yourself becoming too serious sometimes? Have your forgotten God created joy and fun and fulfillment? Or are you like the merchants in the temple? Uncaring and unconcerned about how your actions reflect upon God. We need to have a healthy respect and awe of God but we should ask ourselves is this God's Kingdom I'm living in our my own? Do I let God fill me with Joy or do I look to this world?
If you want to read ahead here is a link where you can find the scripture:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+2&version=ESV
We look forward to your comments and questions below!
If you found value in this post, please share your comments, questions, and prayers with us!
Discipleship Tip: Sharing is discipleship. Invite a friend to join you each day for a morning coffee and conversation about God. Click the sharing button below to get the conversation started.
Discipleship Tip: Sharing is discipleship. Invite a friend to join you each day for a morning coffee and conversation about God. Click the sharing button below to get the conversation started.
- Follow & Post
- Login
I often contemplated on this passage, The conversation 4 And Jesus said to her, “...My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” I think, "Mary used to be quiet and prudent, but this time, she was more decisive, and more assertive than ever, and she pushed Jesus to begin his mission sooner." Why did Jesus said that? Is it true he knew what time is the good time to start, or he needs a push? It's the same question to me, maybe to many people.
I think myself is a coward sometimes. I've been making excuses, running away, not letting people know about my powers, in order to make myself safer...
I think myself is a coward sometimes. I've been making excuses, running away, not letting people know about my powers, in order to make myself safer...
Jesus' mother seeing more in Him than His physical human form. She believed God's message through the messager the angle Gabriel. She kept the message in her heart as Jesus continue to grew into His purpose and live it out on this earth. Mary's inquiry about the wine is a God request and timing through Mary. Don't dismiss how God uses people to move us into our purpose on this earth. Be sensitive to the Spirit of God working in our lives. His sheep hears His voice and follows.
1 reply
The word always strengthens and brings enjoyment in learning more about Jesus and our father God! I am so thankful to be able to continually learn more. Reading it always brings more revelation each time!
Verse 22 stood out to me today as it reminded me of the eyewitness accounts of some of the disciples having seen Jesus. When they recalled what Jesus had said and what the Scripture had said previously, what a joyous moment that had to have been!
And I greatly appreciated reading verses 24-25. These verses were what convicted me of not being a true Christian. And even considering the question: “does Jesus know you?” Jesus knows us. I’m grateful that I know Him and continue to learn more of Him.
And I greatly appreciated reading verses 24-25. These verses were what convicted me of not being a true Christian. And even considering the question: “does Jesus know you?” Jesus knows us. I’m grateful that I know Him and continue to learn more of Him.
Cleansing the temple is one of my favorite Bible stories. I see it is ok to be upset at times, especially when it comes to people misusing things when they were designed for other purposes..
I also love the part where Mary tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them. She knew her Son was extremely special.
I also love the part where Mary tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them. She knew her Son was extremely special.