John 2:1-25 First Works
Audio Podcast
After His baptism by John in the Jordan River and temptation
by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus returned to Galilee. He visited Nazareth,
Cana, and Capernaum. In Cana he
performed the first miracle, the turning of water into wine. He then returned to Jerusalem for the
Passover.
In Jerusalem he cleanses the temple, does many miracles and
tells Nicodemus of the new birth.
First Miracle: Water into Wine 1-11
Was Jesus being disrespectful of his mother by calling her,
“Woman?”
No, this term was used often as a term of endearment. See John 20:13-15
Judging from Jesus response to Mary what may have been her
reason for asking Jesus this miracle?
She may have wanted Him to declare Himself as Messiah
through the miracle.
What did the phrase “mine hour” mean?
It spoke of the time when Jesus would be revealed. The purpose he was sent her for.
When was Jesus’ “hour?”
The last week of His life beginning with the triumphal entry
and ending with his resurrection.
What was the purpose of the miracles of Jesus?
John uses a word that means signs. The miracles were for the purpose of proving
who Jesus was.
Did the miracles bring faith?
No, they strengthened faith of the believers but saving
faith came through knowing the scriptures and Jesus who they foretold.
Quick Study of Miracles and Faith
Do Miracles bring faith today? Is their purpose to inspire
faith?
Miracles happen according to God’s specific purpose and plan
at very specific times and places. They are not a normal part of the believer’s
life or they would not be miracles by the very definition of miracle.
Miracles throughout the Bible
There are seven great times of miracles in the Bible. 1)
Creation 2) the Exodus 3) Elijah and Elisha 4) Christ Birth 5) Christ life and
resurrection 6) The beginning of the Church and 7) The Tribulation.
With a few exceptions the vast span of time since Creation
lacks miracles. During those times believers were to walk by faith in the God
of Miracles not in the miracles which they could not know since they were not
occurring.
Is the Church Age a time of miracles or a time of trusting God?
Miracles are seen to cease at the end of the apostolic age.
Paul could not heal Epaphras (Philip 2), Timothy (1Tim 5:23)
or Trophimus. (2 Tim 4:20)
1 Corinthians 13:10 says that the sign gifts would end.
Christ said an “evil and adulterous generation seeketh after
a sign” (Matt 12:39; 16:4 and Luke 11:30)
In Luke 16:29 Abraham told the Rich Man that faith must be
based upon “Moses and the prophets (scripture) not upon a man be raised from
the dead (a miracle)
Paul said, “We walk by faith not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7)
“faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God (the Bible) (Romans
10:17) and “The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38)
It seems plain that the church age is not meant to be a time
of miracles but a time of living by faith in God and His Word.
The purpose of miracles then was to provide signs of God
working among man but once that is proven then seeking after them shows a lack
of faith in God.
First Authority: Cleansing the Temple 12-25
Jesus must have seen the money changers and merchants in the
temple many times before now. Why did he
choose this particular Passover to drive them out?
Jesus public ministry started after His baptism by John and
John’s arrest. It is likely that Jesus
followed the custom of the day, and would have waited until he was 30 before He
began to publicly serve the Lord.
Read Mark 11:15-19.
Is this the same incident or a different cleansing?
It is a separate incident.
Jesus cleansed the temple twice, at the beginning and the end of his
earthly ministry.
What is the one sign that Jesus has offered for all to
believe?
The only proof is His resurrection from the dead. See Matthew 12:39; 16:4 & Luke 11:29
Reconcile vs. 2:23 “many believed in his name... but Jesus
would not commit himself unto them” with 3:16 whosoever “believeth on him shall
have everlasting life.”
They did not accept Jesus as Lord and Savior nor did they
repent of their sin but their pseudo-faith was motivated by the miracles he was
doing. They looked at the works rather
than the worker. See John 8:30-44
Is it possible today to “believe” but not be saved?
Yes, belief must be accompanied by repentance and it must be
faith in Jesus as God, Savior and Lord.
Conclusion
What do I believe about Jesus? Did He exist? Did He make
water into wine? Did He cleanse the Temple? I may believe these as real events
but do I believe in and on Him? Have I understood that Jesus came and died to
pay for my sins and that believing on Him means accepting my guilt as a sinner,
repenting and calling out in faith for salvation?
What Do I Really Believe? I better know for sure.
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