John 2

The wedding at Cana records Jesus’ first miracle in the gospel of John (1-11). Did you notice that Jesus’ mom expects Him to help, even after His seeming rebuke of her? What an insight into human relationships! Jesus’ comment to Mary is easily explained because He isn’t trying to be noticed at this point. He does a miracle, albeit quietly. The head steward attests to the quality of the miracle that Jesus did.

The cleansing of the temple is one of two recorded in the gospels (12-22). Some believe that John moved the cleansing from the end of Jesus’ ministry to the beginning for a theological purpose. I believe that there are enough differences recorded that there were probably two. One at the beginning that marks the start of religious persecution, and one at the end that forces the religious leaderships hand. He seemingly wants the outer court of the temple to be more worshipful since non-Jews are allowed there, and He certainly doesn’t want people being taken advantage of when they purchase animals or exchange money. In the midst of His zeal, He makes a statement regarding the resurrection. He does it cryptically, essentially identifying himself as both temple and sacrifice, but the disciples don’t understand it until after the resurrection.

Next, it seems that some would willingly identify themselves as believers in Jesus, but Jesus understands that their commitment is not sincere (23-25). That is probably one of the reasons for Paul’s instruction in 1 Timothy 3:6 regarding the pastoral office. Paul says that a person who desires to be a pastor must not be a new convert. There needs to be some time to discern if a person’s commitment is sincere.

Thought for the day: Religious zeal can be a good thing. Jesus is even directed by it in our passage! But fervor is not always indicative of belief, or of right belief.

Mark 4:14-17 (WEB) “The farmer sows the word. The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble.”