The Gospel of JOHN “The Gospel of Boldness” Chapter Two: “A Bold Action” Page 15 1

The First Miracle: Changing Water to Wine  The Setting:  In Cana of Galilee...On the third day o Probably the third day after Peter was brought to Jesus o Nathanael was from the city of Cana (21:2)  Jesus and his five disciples were invited (2:2)  Mary, the mother of Jesus, was there and seems to have had some special connection with this wedding feast  And, the wine had run out… 2 Page 15 John 2:1-2

The First Miracle: Changing Water to Wine  Jesus’ mother seems to have had some special connection with this wedding  She said to Jesus, “They have no wine”  We cannot know what she might have expected Him to do  Jesus responded to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”  The fact that He did respond to Mary’s concern removes any possibility that He did not care about her distress 3 Page 16 John 2:3-4

The First Miracle: Changing Water to Wine  Mary told the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it” (v.5)  “Whatever” He says -- whether we understand or agree with it or not;  “He” says -- no other voice or authority in religious matters should be heard;  “Says” -- only what is actually said counts-- silence is not consent to act;  “Unto you” -- Old Testament commands don’t apply- - we have a New Covenant;  “Do it” -- faith without works is dead (Jas.2:24)-- action is essential! 4 Page 16 John 2:5

The First Miracle: Changing Water to Wine  The miracle followed:  Beginning with six empty water pots normally used for the Jewish rituals of purification  Capable of holding gallons  Filled to the brim with water as instructed by Jesus  A sample drawn and taken to the master of the feast as instructed by Jesus  The master of the feast tasted the water that was made wine  Not knowing where it came from, he called the bridegroom telling him that he kept the good wine for last, contrary to normal custom 5 Page 16 John 2:6-10

The First Miracle: Changing Water to Wine  The first miracle [a BOLD action]:  “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” (v.11)  The miracle manifested His glory  He revealed that He was truly God manifested in the flesh  His disciples’ faith was even more strengthened 6 Page 16 John 2:11

Sojourn In Capernaum  Previously, Jesus’ family had moved from Nazareth to Capernaum  That city became the hometown to and from which Jesus was to travel for much of His remaining time on earth  “They” [Jesus and His disciples] did not remain there very long  The first Passover Feast of His public ministry was approaching  It was His intention to become part of the activities in Jerusalem 7 Page 16 John 2:12

First Cleansing of the Temple  Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem  Israel observed three major feasts: Passover, Tabernacles, and Pentecost  Large numbers of Jews attended this Passover celebration  The temple was the central focus of the Passover observance  What Jesus found was an intolerable situation  And it should have been to any devout Jew 8 Page 17 John 2:13

First Cleansing of the Temple  What He found in the temple --  Those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and  The money changers doing business  Temple thieves (Matt. 21:13)  We often think of Jesus as a gentle, peace- loving man  People felt comfortable in bringing their children to Him  Yet on occasion Jesus displayed a strong righteous indignation [anger]... 9 Page 17 John 2:14

First Cleansing of the Temple  The Law required that the annual Passover sacrifices of animals [sheep and oxen] be made  The temple tax also had to be paid  They charged worshipers exorbitant prices for their services and goods under the guise of religion  From hapless pilgrims and from abusive practices  Jesus said, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!" (v.16)  Jesus had taken a BOLD ACTION 10 Page John 2:15-16

First Cleansing of the Temple  His disciples remembered that it was written, "ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE HAS EATEN ME UP." (Psalm 69:9)  Jesus had a zeal [fervor] for His Father’s house  He had a zeal for the intended purpose of the temple – worship and prayer  His great zeal moved Him to action  Is there a lesson for us in the use of our house of worship built with the Lord’s money? 11 Page 18 John 2:17

First Cleansing of the Temple  The Jews said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?" (v.18)  Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (v.19)  The Jews did not understand this statement and thought He was talking about the temple building itself  Jesus was talking about the temple of His body [His own physical body]  The disciples remembered this when Jesus was raised from the dead 12 Page 18 John 2:18-22

First Cleansing of the Temple  This claim was used as evidence against Him  At His trial (Matt.26:61), and  As He hung on the cross (Mark 14:29,30)  Some confusion among scholars exists about the two records of temple cleansing in the Gospels  John cites this cleansing early in Jesus’ work.  The Synoptic Gospels reveal a cleansing that took place at the beginning of His last week on earth [See Matt. 21; Mark 11; Luke 19.] 13 Page John 2:19

Believers in the Christ  While no details are offered, we learn that He did “signs” which caused many to believe in “His name”  John makes note of His unwillingness to commit Himself to others at this time  He had no need to because he knew all men  He had no need to because he knew what was in man 14 Page 19 John 2:23-25

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