October 6: John 2-4

October 6, John 2-4

John continued…

John 2 Here we get to read the first recorded miracle of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The wedding at Cana. Jesus was there and so were some of His disciples, and His mom. Back in this time, weddings were not just a 1 to 3 hour event - but a huge celebration. What we do know is that at a certain point, the wine ran out, and this was a big no-no (not much different from today's weddings…!). Mary came to Jesus and explained to him that the wine had ran out. Jesus replied to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Just so that you know, by Jesus calling her woman it was not disrespectful. The other time that he used this term for her is when He was at the cross. A little insight is that we see that Jesus was without sin and Mary was not… even though Mary did not listen, Jesus stepped up. There was six big jars and Jesus told the servants to fill them to the brim with water. Do miraculously turned the water into wine. He has a servants bring the wine to the master of the feast to test it. The wine was incredible and he was surprised because normally the good wine comes out first and when people have had enough wine and are less discerning, they bring out the cheaper wine. Not in this case. The wind use made was incredible. Why go through all this hassle? “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” Jesus showed Himself as Messiah…

Next we move on to the celebration of Passover. When Jesus got to the temple he saw that people were using God - they were making money by selling things to the Jews that had traveled a long way to come and celebrate Passover. Jesus was furious because they had turned God’s house into a marketplace. He dumped over the tables of the currency exchangers and made a whip of cords and drove all of them out of the temple. Jesus was not messing around. This was God’s house. The Jews there said to him what sign could you possibly have to show them that he is able to do these things or have the authority to. He said the sign would be to destroy this temple and he would raise it up in three days. They said that wasn't possible because it took 46 years to build it. Jesus was not referring to the physical temple but His own body. When Jesus resurrected from the dead later on, His disciples remembered what he said and believe the Scripture.

John 3 Now .we are introduced to a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He was a ruler of the Jews. He came secretly to Jesus at night. He inquired about Jesus's authority and also said that nobody could do the signs that Jesus is doing if he was not of God. Jesus replied that unless someone is born again you cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus did not understand this as he thought Jesus was referring to going back and do your mothers well to be born again. Jesus was referring to a spiritual rebirth that must take place. He gives an analogy of wind blowing where it wants - you do not see where the wind comes from but you do know when it has been there. It is the same thing with the Holy Spirit giving people new life. Nicodemus still do not understand and Jesus asked him how he could not understand these things yet lead the Jews? As a side note, Nicodemus may have been secretly trying to meet Jesus in the beginning, but later we will learn, that when all the disciples abandoned Jesus at his death, It was Nicodemus who publicly went out and risked his own life to help bury Jesus. Jesus goes on to say that whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life and this is connected with one of the most famous Gospel summaries in all of the Bible and that is from John 3:16, “for God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, But in order that the world might be saved through Him…” That is the Gospel summarized. The whole reason that God set all of this up was to bring Jesus in the world to save us & allow us to have eternity with Him. All that is required is that you believe in the name of Jesus Christ and most of the world had not believed in Him… And this is the judgment that God brings, the light being Jesus, comes in the world and exposes evil which is represented as darkness. People that love evil hate the light because they're evil is exposed.

After this Jesus and His disciples went for a walk to the Judean countryside. Jesus was with His disciples as they were baptizing people.  At this point in the story, we learn that John the Baptist had not yet been put in prison. John bore witness to Jesus coming and his disciples were noticing that people were following Jesus and not John anymore. “look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom.”  then said this… “Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”  Do you see John’s humility and how he knew what His purpose was? He didn't want the spotlight - that was for Jesus and is for Jesus. 

How does John conclude this section? “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” Where is your heart and do you believe?

John 4 Now we get to read an incredible story about the love of Jesus. By the divine power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus ‘had’ to go through Samaria. When He got there, He got to a place called Sychar. And this was near the field that Jacob had  given son Joseph. Jacobs well was also there and it still is today - proof positive! Jesus got to this well and rested by it as He was tired from the journey (human…). A woman from Samaria came to draw water… the background on the story is that she was most likely coming to the well at this time of the day (noon) as she was not welcomed by the other women that came to draw water in the morning. We find out why. Jesus asked the woman a drink and the woman was shocked that Jesus would talk to her, as Jews would never talk to Samaritans. Jesus was no ordinary Jew. Jesus answered her that if she knew the gift of God and who it is that is speaking to her she could receive living water. She was confused because he had nothing to draw water with and the well was deep - as a side note, that well is still there today like I said and it is approximately 9 feet wide and hundred feet deep… she wanted to know if Jesus was greater then Jacob. Jesus explained to her that whoever drinks the water in the well will be thirsty again but the water the Jesus is offering her will give her eternal life - and the fact that she would not thirst anymore is referring to thirst for sin. She wanted the water of Jesus. Jesus told to to go get her husband replied that she didn't have one. Jesus knew that. You and Anna tell her that she has had five husbands and she was currently shacking up with a man who was not her husband. She perceived that he was a prophet and Jesus explained to her that God is looking for true worshipers. She also knew that the Messiah was coming and that he would tell these things–Jesus confessed that he is the Messiah to her. Just then the disciples came back and were surprised that He was talking with a Samaritan woman. The woman left in went to town And told everybody that this man told her everything about her life and to come & meet him.

Meanwhile, the disciples wanted Jesus to eat - just explained to them that is job was to accomplish God’s work. Jesus explained to them also to look around and see that the fields were right for harvest, Jesus was and is referring to souls. He gave a great analogy that one sows and another reaps. They would be able to reap the benefits of the work of all the prophets before them and John the Baptist - they can now enter into the labor of winning souls for Jesus.

Many Samaritans came to the town and believed in Jesus because of the woman's testimony. Many more believed because of the words of Jesus.

Almost done… Jesus went back to Cana and there was an official whose son was sick and dying. Jesus was frustrated because people only wanted to see a sign and a miracle. But the man was persistent and Jesus told him to leave and his son will live. Just as Jesus said, it was done. The boy was healed that very hour. And the father and his entire household believed in Jesus that very day.

To sum it all up: 

• Again, where we start? Jesus Christ can do anything. Whatever that is turning water into wine, an incredible wine, or healing the sick for casting out demons… nothing is impossible for Him or for those who believe in Him. I caution you though, the attraction to Jesus Christ should not be for his miraculous powers or anything of the sort. Attraction to Christ should be based on our gratitude and love for who Jesus Christ is through God the Father and by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
• All that is required is to believe in the name of Jesus Christ for salvation. Do you believe? Sure, once you become a Christian is a lifestyle of pursuing Him and giving your life to his purpose… But that will come out of gratitude for His saving grace not out of obligation.
• Just broke all of the religious rules and opened everybody's eyes to what true love really was and is. Just because society says that certain classes of people may be unworthy - whether that is based on their skin, sex, race, or anything else that we would consider discriminatory– None of it matters all people have a soul. They should be treated as such. The religious leaders of Jesus's time liked to make sure that their status was known. Again, Jesus does not care about our status in the world eyes but He cares about our status in Him…
• Do you believe in the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Messiah? If you do, then our lives should reflect that love...