Be Alive Chapter 2 Learning about Jesus John 2

His Glory (2:1-12) –Jesus the Guest (1-2) He was not a recluse like John the Baptist He accepted the invitations to social events –Wedding at Cana –His relationship with Mary led to an invitation –Jesus the Son (3-5) He did what His Father wanted; “Hour” Mary passed the problem of wine and trusted him

–Jesus the Host (6-12) Quiet miracle – water into wine 6 water pots-20gallons each Quality of the wine is superior “Beginning of the miracles” Revealed glory to disciples & brought stronger foundation for faith Cumulative effect of miracle after miracle confirmed His deity Inner meaning; sermon in action History – His Story

–Greek word, Simieon – sign –John begins with sign, not power (dumamis) –Sign points to something greater; people had to believe in Jesus and Father who sent Him, not just in His works –Sermon was added to the miracle i.e. the feeding of 5,000 led into sermon on Bread of Life –If water changed into wine, what would Jesus preach? World’s joy runs out and can’t be regained, but the joy He gives is ever new & everlasting Wine is a symbol of joy

–In O.T., the nation is pictured as “Married” to God & unfaithful to the marriage covenant (Is. 54:5, Jer. 31:32, Hosea 2:2ff) –6 empty water pots - water for external worship, but no joy & internal cleaning –“Third Day” (2:1) – hint of Lord’s resurrection Moses’ first miracle – a plague, water into blood which speaks of judgment Our Lord’s first miracle spoke of grace

–Service to God Servants cooperated and obeyed Jesus’ commands Signs required cooperation of people and God –Feeding of 5,000 (John 6) –Healing of the man born blind (John 9) –The resurrection of Lazarus (John 11) –Servants knows the source of this special wine »i.e. we are not just His servants, but we are also His friends (John 15:15) –Excuse for drinking; “if you use Jesus as your example for drinking, why don’t’ you follow His example in others?” (Luke 22:18)

–Wine was normal during that day –Considerations: I Cor. 8:9, 10:23,31 Converted coal miner: “In my home, he has turned wine into furniture, decent clothes & food for my children” His Zeal (2:12-22) – Each Jewish man was required to attend 3 annual feasts at the Holy City. Passover (2:13, 6:4, 12:1), Tabernacle (7:2), & Dedication (10:22) [Hanukkah]. Unnamed feast in 5:1 may be Purim

Jesus obeyed the statutes of the law & was faithful to behold the law although He violated man-made religion tradition of the Pharisees. *Jesus showed His zeal for God by cleansing the temple (2:13-17). Convenience of selling the animals for sacrifice became business, not ministry. Business was located in the court of Gentiles in the temple where the Jews would meet and tell about the one true God.

–The temple was Jesus’ Father’s house –The condition of the temple was an indication (show) of the spiritual condition of the nation –The religion was a dull routine taken over by the worldly minded men whose main desire was to exercise power and get rich. –The disciples remembered Ps. 69:9 “the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” Ps. 69 is messianic psalm, which is quoted in New Testament.

–When He cleansed the temple, He declared was on hypocritical religious leaders (Matt. 23) *He showed zeal by giving His life (2:18-22) –The leaders often asked for Jesus to give a sign He refused except for sign of Jonah (Matt. 12:39) The sign of Jonah is death, burial, & resurrection –Jesus used the imagery of temple: “destroy this temple and I will raise it up in 3 days” (2:19)

Herod’s temple was started in 20 B.C. and finished in 64 A.D. People misunderstood & interpreted in physical term, not spiritual term The disciples remembered after His resurrection, but the enemies used it at the trial (Matt. 26:59-61) –In the gospel of John, John used a number of pictures of the death of the Savior

Slaying of the lambs (1:29) Destroying of the temple (2:19) –The temple was important part of Jewish faith. If His body’s the temple, Jewish temple would be needed no more & it will be the end of the Jewish religious system. –The legal system has ended & grace & truth have come through Jesus Christ Serpent lifted up (3:14, Numbers 25:5-9) Saviour was made sin for us (I Peter 2:24) Shepherd for the sheep (10:11-18) Voluntary death The planting of the see (12:20-25) His death would bring fruit to the glory of God

Knowledge (2:23-25) –Jesus didn’t accept the human testimony for being God, He knew what was in each person’s heart & mind. –The word “Believed” (2:23) & “Commit” (2:24) are the same Greek word. –The people believed in Jesus, but He didn’t believe in them: “unsaved believers” –The Lord’s miracles Testimonies (5:36) To the religious leaders – power of Satan The same events can open the eyes and make the other eyes blind (9:39-41)

–His miracles to the truth of His message Feeding of 5,000 – Bread of Life –People wanted Him to be the King “He knew what was in Man” –Simeon (1:42) –Nathanael (1:46ff) –Samaritan woman at the well (4:29) –Jewish leaders who didn’t have God’s love (5:42) –One of the disciples was not a true believer (6:64) –Repentance of the adulteress (8:10-11) –Murder in the heart of His enemies (8:40ff) –Upper room messages –From popularity to rejection –Conviction to conversion or opposition »No neutrality –People wanted His works, but not His Words

–Seeing is believing is not the Christian approved –Believe first before you see –Miracles can only lead to the Word (5:36- 38) & the Word generates the saving faith (Rom. 16:17) –Our Lord’s accurate knowledge is the evidence of His deity –Nicodemus wanted to learn more about Jesus, but he learned more about himself