John Chapter 2
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John 2: Signs of the New AgeThe Wedding at Cana“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there” (John 2:1, ESV). Jesus and His disciples attend. Weddings lasted days; running out of wine meant public shame. “When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine’” (John 2:3). She states the need, trusting His ability. Jesus replies, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). “Woman” shows respect, not rebuke; “my hour” points to the cross. Yet Mary instructs the servants: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Six stone water jars stand nearby, each holding twenty or thirty gallons, used for Jewish purification rites. Jesus says, “Fill the jars with water” (John 2:7). They fill them to the brim. “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast” (John 2:8). The water has become wine—superior wine. The master, unaware of the source, calls the bridegroom and says, “Everyone serves the good wine first... But you have kept the good wine until now” (John 2:10). “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11). The sign reveals His identity: Creator who transforms the ordinary, Lord over rituals of cleansing.Cleansing the Temple“After this he went down to Capernaum... The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem” (John 2:12-13). In the temple He finds merchants selling oxen, sheep, and pigeons, and money-changers at tables. He makes a whip of cords and drives them all out, pours out the coins, overturns the tables, and says to the pigeon sellers, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade” (John 2:16). The temple, meant for prayer, has become a marketplace. His disciples recall Psalm 69:9: “Zeal for your house will consume me” (John 2:17). The Jews demand, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” (John 2:18). Jesus answers, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). They think He means the physical building, rebuilt over forty-six years. “But he was speaking about the temple of his body” (John 2:21). The resurrection will validate His authority. “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” (John 2:22).Knowing What Is in Man“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing” (John 2:23). Surface faith follows miracles. “But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man” (John 2:24-25). He sees beyond words to hearts—motives, fears, fleeting devotion. True faith awaits deeper revelation.