John 2—Jesus’ Glory Seen Only By Those Who Seek Him

Review (chapter 1 in a nutshell): God our creator has shared his life with us through His Word.  God is recreating willing vessels who will receive that Word and live a grace-driven life.  God by His grace has come in the flesh as the Lamb of God to take away sin and the Son of God to give the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The invitation is that we would “come and see,” that is, to take part in this life by the power of the Holy Spirit as we witness His glory, with the future hope of the revealing of His everlasting dominion.​

Observations
vs. 1-2, A wedding in Cana of Galilee which Jesus, his disciples, and “his mother” are invited to
vs. 3…The “mother of Jesus” comes to Jesus when they run out of wine
vs. 4…Jesus replies, “my hour has not yet come.”
vs. 5…”His mother” tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them.
vs. 6-8…Jesus tells servants to fill up water pots used for “Jewish custom of purification” then draw some and and take it to the headwaiter
vs. 9-10…the water had become wine, and the headwaiter recognizes it as the best tasting wine of the day.
vs. 11…This was the first of Jesus’ signs. He manifested His glory.  His disciples believed in Him.
vs. 12…Jesus goes down to Capernaum for a few days with “his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.”
vs. 13…Jesus went to Jerusalem in time for the Passover.
vs. 14…He found people selling animals for sacrifice in the temple.
vs. 15-16…Jesus drives out the money changers and the livestock.  To the sellers of doves he says “stop making my Father’s house a place of business.”
vs. 17…His disciples were reminded of an OT Scripture when seeing this.
    —Specifically, “Zeal for Your House will consume me.”
vs. 18…The Jews are asking for a sign of Jesus’ authority.
vs. 19…:Jesus: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
vs. 20-22…Jews thinking he is speaking of physical building, but He was talking about His body—something which his disciples realized in hindsight.  Upon the sign of being raised from the dead, his disciples believed the Scriptures and Jesus’ word.
vs. 23…Many believed in Jesus during the Passover, given the signs he was performing.
vs. 24-25…Jesus not entrusting Himself to people because “he knew all men” (plural) and “knew what was in a man” (singular).

Interpretation
vs. 1-3…”His mother…”  Much like John the apostle who simply refers to himself throughout as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” and like John the Baptist who says he is unworthy compared to Jesus, Mary is downplayed.  Her significance is only that she is related to Jesus.
vs.3-4…Jesus and his mother both knew what he was able to do and, more importantly, who He was.  “My hour has not yet come…”  It was not the time for his death, resurrection and exaltation.  While the promise of the Messianic kingdom includes “abundant wine,” Christ’s atoning death and resurrection had to be accomplished first.
vs. 5…Mary’s command: do what Jesus tells you.  She recognized Him as Lord (Luke 1:26-35).
vs. 6-8…”jewish custom of purification.”  Jesus’ cleansing work is permanent and transformative, unlike the Jewish traditions.
vs. 9-11… There is new life in the wine, just as Christ offers new life—the best one—HIS.
vs. 12…Jesus’ brothers are also now with Him.  They must have been convinced of who Jesus is.  “The disciples” also refers to more than just the 12.  Jesus often had a large crowd following Him wherever He went.
vs. 13…The Passover in Jerusalem…*See “Christ in the OT Festivals” handout.*
vs. 14-16…driving out the “marketplace” from the “Father’s house.” The temple a more permanent dwelling of God than the tabernacle, but still merely foreshadowed Christ Himself.
vs. 17…Psalm 69:9…JESUS’ PASSION FOR REVERENCE.
vs. 18-19…the sign which the Jews will be shown is Jesus’ death and resurrection.  THE CROSS as a sign.  THE RESURRECTION as a sign.
vs. 22…The Scripture and Jesus’ words are equally authoritative!  The proof of that is that He indeed rose from the dead.  Also, the Scriptures all speak to the Messiah achieving victory through atoning death and resurrection—not just an earthly conquering king as many supposed.  Jesus’ POWER OF RESURRECTION.
vs. 23…Many believed because of the signs, unlike his disciples such as Nathanael who believed because of what kind of person He was and that His words were consistent with Scripture.
vs. 24…”Men” refers to all the individuals.  Just like He had proven in the previous chapter that he knew the individuals whom He had called.  He was not entrusting himself—that is the full revelation of His glory—to those who were not looking for Him, unlike the disciples.
vs. 25…”What was in a man” refers to the natural condition of man. can be seen in the Pharisees who merely sent a delegation—PROUD.  Can also be seen in the moneychangers—GREEDY.  Can also be seen in those buying and offering sacrifices—HYPOCRITES.  They see God as someone to appease based on their performance/offering.  Again, “men love the darkness,” which is their natural way of life, ways of the world and ways of our enemy, satan.  “What was in a man” will be fleshed out more in the dialogue to come (John 3:19).  Men are fickle.  They only believed because they saw results/outward displays of power.  Those who only look at the outward miss seeing Jesus’ glory.  Jesus had the proper PERCEPTION OF REALITY.

Summarization.
Jesus’ glory is seen only by those who seek Him—not self gratification. True disciples’ hearts are enraptured with the words of our Lord, the words of Scripture, when He proves Himself in this physical realm.  The message is “Life in His name,” (20:31) which requires leaving the old life as the disciples in chapter 1 did.  We have hope as we look to the power of His resurrection to overcome the reality of our condition (pride, greed, hypocrisy).


Application
Do I have the same Passion for Reverence which Jesus (and David) has?
How have I seen the Lord proving Himself in my life and the world around me?  Do I experience the cross and resurrection daily (Power of Resurrection)?  (Paul’s example: Phil. 3:7-11)

How am I living a life of pride, greed or hypocrisy?  ( Do I have Jesus same Perception of Reality?) Jesus has given power to overcome that.

Has the power to overcome directed me to the message of Scripture, “life in His name,”(by denying self) or something self-gratifying?  Perhaps I need to check my understanding if the latter…
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