In the second chapter of John's Gospel we see two events. The wedding at Cana and the cleansing of the temple.Weddings were community events among Jews. The whole town usually show up for wedding and the celebration lasted many days. Cana was north of Nazareth. Jesus and disciples were invited to this wedding. Mary's intervention indicates that she was related to this family. During the celebration they ran out of wine. Wine was a normal drink at that time. It was a public humiliation and disgrace to run out of wine. Wine speaks of joy in the scripture. So Mary spoke to Jesus about the problem because she knew who He was. Christ addressed her as Woman or Lady. It does not show any disrespect. He said my hour is not yet come. He was not operating on His own initiative or Mary's direction but on His father's will and timing. Mary acknowledged this and submitted to the will of the God. She told the servants to do whatever He says. Jesus transformed the six jars of water into finest wine. When they tasted the wine the governor complimented the bridegroom. By this first miracle Jesus displayed his glory and the disciples believed in Him.
There are some 36 recorded miracles in the Gospel account. Here the symbolism is clear. This world is full of emptiness and sorrow. Only the power of Christ can fill the emptiness and deficiency in our lives. Jesus did this to manifest His glory. Many people saw the miracles but only the disciples saw His glory and believed in Him.Miracle always points to something greater than itself and often followed with a message(John 5:14-24). Many people hear the gospel today but only few believe in Christ. There were many who traveled with Jesus but only few followed Him. Satan had blinded their minds to see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ(2 Cor 4:4).For many professing Christians Jesus does not mean much. Their worship is a religious ritual and a joyless expression. Being a Christian means to be a follower of Jesus and be loyal to His authority. They acknowledge Jesus us Savior and Lord. When we follow Jesus then He would make us a blessing to others and transform our lives of eternal value.Many approve drunkenness based on this passage. But the Bible forbids drunkenness. Drunkenness is condemned in the Old Testament(Pro 23:21). New Testament does not approve drunkenness because it can lead to riotous life style(Rom 13:13).
Secondly John gives the account of cleansing the temple in this chapter. Temple worship was very important to Jews. Every male Jew required to attend three annual feasts in Jerusalem(Deut 16:16).Passover was one of them. During the feast Jesus found that the court of the Gentiles in the temple was taken over for marketing and money exchange. Religious leader saw this as a service to worshipers. But Jesus saw this differently. He saw this as an offence to God and gentile worshipers. Jesus cleansed that place because of His zeal for His Father's house. It was the fulfillment of a prophecy(Ps 69:9).Jews were demanding a sign to substantiate His authority for His conduct. Christ said "destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up".Jesus was referring to His death and resurrection. But they failed to understand the spiritual meaning of his statement. Even the disciples failed to understand until Jesus was risen from the dead. From both these events we learn that Jesus is willing and able to bring joy and cleansing in our lives.
While Jesus was in Jerusalem many believed in His name when they saw the miracles. But Jesus did not trust them because He knew they were not true believers(John 2:23-25). Their interest was primarily in miracles. Even today many people are attracted to a Jesus the powerful miracle worker rather than the Savior of the soul. Seeing is not believing. Conviction does not mean conversion. Only faith in Christ saves us(Rom 10:9).Many traveled with Christ but few followed Him. Christ knows His own.Are you a follower of Christ or a fellow traveler? If you believe Christ as your Lord and Savior, you shall be saved. Only true disciples would see His glory and believe in His name.(John 11:40) May God help us!!
There are some 36 recorded miracles in the Gospel account. Here the symbolism is clear. This world is full of emptiness and sorrow. Only the power of Christ can fill the emptiness and deficiency in our lives. Jesus did this to manifest His glory. Many people saw the miracles but only the disciples saw His glory and believed in Him.Miracle always points to something greater than itself and often followed with a message(John 5:14-24). Many people hear the gospel today but only few believe in Christ. There were many who traveled with Jesus but only few followed Him. Satan had blinded their minds to see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ(2 Cor 4:4).For many professing Christians Jesus does not mean much. Their worship is a religious ritual and a joyless expression. Being a Christian means to be a follower of Jesus and be loyal to His authority. They acknowledge Jesus us Savior and Lord. When we follow Jesus then He would make us a blessing to others and transform our lives of eternal value.Many approve drunkenness based on this passage. But the Bible forbids drunkenness. Drunkenness is condemned in the Old Testament(Pro 23:21). New Testament does not approve drunkenness because it can lead to riotous life style(Rom 13:13).
Secondly John gives the account of cleansing the temple in this chapter. Temple worship was very important to Jews. Every male Jew required to attend three annual feasts in Jerusalem(Deut 16:16).Passover was one of them. During the feast Jesus found that the court of the Gentiles in the temple was taken over for marketing and money exchange. Religious leader saw this as a service to worshipers. But Jesus saw this differently. He saw this as an offence to God and gentile worshipers. Jesus cleansed that place because of His zeal for His Father's house. It was the fulfillment of a prophecy(Ps 69:9).Jews were demanding a sign to substantiate His authority for His conduct. Christ said "destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up".Jesus was referring to His death and resurrection. But they failed to understand the spiritual meaning of his statement. Even the disciples failed to understand until Jesus was risen from the dead. From both these events we learn that Jesus is willing and able to bring joy and cleansing in our lives.
While Jesus was in Jerusalem many believed in His name when they saw the miracles. But Jesus did not trust them because He knew they were not true believers(John 2:23-25). Their interest was primarily in miracles. Even today many people are attracted to a Jesus the powerful miracle worker rather than the Savior of the soul. Seeing is not believing. Conviction does not mean conversion. Only faith in Christ saves us(Rom 10:9).Many traveled with Christ but few followed Him. Christ knows His own.Are you a follower of Christ or a fellow traveler? If you believe Christ as your Lord and Savior, you shall be saved. Only true disciples would see His glory and believe in His name.(John 11:40) May God help us!!
