JOHN CHAPTER 2.

JOHN CHAPTER 2.

2:1-11. The first eleven verses of this chapter inform us of a wedding in Cana of Galilee and how that, when the wine failed, Jesus changed the water into wine.  The mother of Jesus would appear to have been there already and had some authority over the arrangements.  Jesus and His disciples had been invited to the wedding.  Now according to Derrett the supply of wine was dependent on the gifts of the guests.  However, Jesus and His disciples, because they were poor, could not afford to buy wine for the seven days festivities.

           

The wedding began on the third day.  It is not easy to discern how the days were counted.  John Marsh (Pelican Conum), suggests that the third day is that from Jesus' conversation with Nathanael, who actually came from Cana (21:2).  Nathanael may have thought he should begin to witness for Christ in his home-town.

           

The third day may have also an allegorical meaning.  John, the apostle, frequently uses an incident or word with a double meaning.  The miracle wrought by Jesus was a sign.  The same Greek word is translated a "sign" fifty-one times in the A.V.  It is by faith that we discern the meaning of a sign.  And John always uses this word, therefore he always describes the miracles of Jesus as signs.  The miracles of Jesus have a theological meaning and are usually followed by a discourse.  The sign providing an occasion and illustration for the discourse.  The Jew would admit having seen something extraordinary in His works, but Jesus invites His hearers to see in them a sign rich in Spiritual meaning.  A measure of Spiritual insight is required to perceive the meaning, and that they are real signs from God authenticating the mission of the Son.

           

On this occasion the wine was used up and they had come to the end of their resources.  The mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."  Did she suspect He could do something to help out their desperate need?  He replies to His mother with due respect, but He made her to understand that He was concerned with greater issues than this.  They were issues on which she could have no part.  Those who would make the mother of Jesus a mediatrix are quite mistaken.

           

Jesus makes a statement concerning His future, "My time has not yet come."  This was the hour when He would enter His glory through the Cross and resurrection.  This was the consummation towards which the whole of John's Gospel was directed.  The third day may prefigure the resurrection and the unity, fellowship and joy of the people of God.  They who participate in the Kingdom of God shall by far excel the joy of the adherents of the Jewish religion.

           

The mother of Jesus gave good advice to the servants, or deacons, when she said, "Do whatever He tells you."  She had confidence in Jesus that He would command whatever was necessary to get them out of their difficult situation.  This is implied both by her explanation to Him and by her enjoining the servants to do whatever He said.

           

There stood nearly six water jars, which all together were capable of holding at least 120 gallons.  The jars contained water for purification, especially for washing their hands, and we may regard them as representing the rites of cleansing practiced in Judaism, but they gave only ceremonial cleansing.  Leon Morris writes concerning the act of Jesus, "He changes the water of Judaism into the wine of Christianity."

           

When the mother of Jesus said, "They have no wine," her words were to have a fulfilment in a larger context than she could at that time envisage, for she expressed the inability of Judaism to provide the inward joy and blessing that the Gospel brings. Jesus commanded the servants to fill the jars to the brim and then commanded them to draw out and bear it to the master of the banquet, who compliments the bridegroom for having kept the best wine until now.  This reminds us that the Gospel message is both inspiring and fully satisfying.

           

This sign manifested Jesus' creative power and glory, and on a deeper level was a sign of the joy and blessing He brought into the lives of those who put their faith in Him.  See N.I.V.  The rites of Judaism failed to bring joy into their lives, but Jesus Christ fulfilled such rites and so transformed their meaning so as to bring them the wine that gladdens the hearts of men.

           

CAPERNAUM.  2:12. After the wedding, Jesus went with His mother, brothers and His disciples to Capernaum on the north-west shore of the Sea of Galilee, and remained there a few days.  But when it was almost time for the Passover, He went up to Jerusalem.  John's Gospel suggest that the public ministry of Jesus extended a little over three Passovers, that is a little over two years.

           

JERUSALEM :  THE TEMPLE PURGED.  2:13-22.    This incident is recorded in all four Gospels however, in the Synoptics, it is placed in the closing days of the Lord's ministry, but in John's Gospel it occurs at the very beginning of the Lord's public ministry.  Though in every Gospel it is associated with Jesus' death.  However, the question arises, why is it placed so early in John's Gospel?  Much ink has been used on this question and many regard it as one of the unsolved problems of the New Testament scholarship.  Older Commentators, such as Westcott, usually suggest there were two cleansings and there is nothing unreasonable in this and we would not have been surprised if Jesus had so acted at every Passover He attended, as it was gross evil they practiced in the Temple.  Some Modern commentators continue to suggest two cleansings, such as R.V.G.Tasker in the Tyndale Series and Leon Morris in the New London Series appears to favour the New Testament edited by Howle-Bruce-Ellison.

           

But another view is that John puts it where he does for theological reasons.  It is argued that John's understanding of chronology and history was determined by his Christology.  Jesus Christ is Lord of history and John's understanding of the significance of our Lord's person, mission and work governed his understanding of history.  His one aim was to present the Lord's supremacy.  However, others think John follows an independent but better tradition than the Synoptics.  Whatever view we accept, it is clear that John discerns that the ministry of Jesus effected judgement from the beginning, though the final culminating moment of judgement was the Cross.

           

In the Temple Jesus found men selling cattle, sheep and doves to the pilgrims who came to Jerusalem to worship at the Passover.  And there too, the money-changers were exchanging temple currency for Roman coinage that the pilgrims brought to pay for the animals to sacrifice.  The money-changers charged extravagant interest and exorbitant prices for the animals sold.

           

Jesus made a whip of cords, probably the Symbol of His Messianic authority and drove out the cattle and the sheep.  He also scattered the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.  And He rebuked those who sold doves saying, "Get these out of here!"  We observe that amidst all their corrupt practices He held respect for the Temple as His Father's House.  And the disciples remembered there was a scripture to support His claim, "The Zeal of your House will consume me." (Psa.69:9).  Because of this zeal He could do nothing else than interfere to stop this corrupt practice even though this holy zeal for His Father's House would consume Him in suffering and death.

           

The Lord's action took the Jews by surprise.  He demanded a reformation in the manner they worshipped and His stern action called for an end to the Jewish system.  Not only so, but these corrupt practices were carried out in the Court of the Gentiles.  Was this their way to express their contempt for the Gentiles?  However, in the new order of worship the Gentiles would share equally along with the Jews.

           

The Jews were angered at what he had done and demanded a miraculous sign to prove his authority to do such things.  Jesus answered by offering them a sign that could only puzzle them the more.  He said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it up again in three days."   They thought he spoke of the Jewish temple and he probably did suggest that they themselves would be responsible for the destruction of their temple, but he contemplated much more.  They replied, "It has taken forty and six years to build this temple and are you going to raise it in three days?"  But the temple he had spoken of was His body. 

           

The Jews thought He spoke only of the temple at Jerusalem, that Herod the Great began to rebuild nearly 20 years B.C.  Dr. Raymond Brown thought the date of this incident to be about 28.A.D., but the temple was not actually completed until 63.A.D., just a few years before its complete destruction by the Romans in A.D.70.  However, Jesus puts the responsibility of destroying the temple upon the Jews, who were morally responsible for its destruction.

           

Nevertheless, Jesus makes himself responsible for His resurrection, for he spoke of the temple of his body.  Jesus was God enshrined in human form.  The Jews were guilty of his death, but Jesus said, "I will raise it again in three days."  This is certainly the greatest sign of the Christian faith.

           

The temple at Jerusalem was the centre of worship and religion of Judaism.  The Jews from every nation would seek to gather there to worship.  It was the symbol of the old order, now corrupted by trade and liable to the judgement of God.  For the end of the old order was near.

Christ must become the centre of the new order founded upon His death and resurrection.  The crucified and risen Christ was to replace the worship and ritual of the temple.  He would occupy the central place and to Him shall the gathering of the people be.  His death and resurrection was the end and judgement of the old order, that is, the temple and its ritual, and His death and resurrection inaugurates a new order of worship.  For Jesus Christ crucified and raised manifests the presence and glory of God.  Jesus through His death and resurrection constitutes a new ground of worship, and a new Centre for the people of God, whether Jews or Gentiles.

           

JESUS KNEW ALL MEN.  2:23-25.

           

Jesus did not trust himself to men whose faith depended on signs.  He discerned that their faith was inadequate.  He would not be deceived by men for he knew the thoughts of their hearts.  And the faith based on miraculous signs is superficial and treacherous.