Introduction: John 2 teaches two important events in the life of Jesus: the wedding at Cana and the cleansing of the temple. These events demonstrate Jesus’ authority and power, as well as the beginning of his public ministry. The wedding at Cana shows Jesus’ compassion for the people and his ability to perform miracles, while the cleansing of the temple reveals his passion for God’s house and righteous anger towards those who defile it. The chapter helps us understand the nature of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine.
I. The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)
Jesus and his disciples are invited to a wedding in Cana. When the wine runs out, Jesus’ mother, Mary, tells him about the situation. Jesus hesitates at first, but eventually turns water into wine, saving the couple from embarrassment. This miracle reveals Jesus’ glory and leads his disciples to believe in him. Some other verses in the Bible that can be referenced are Isaiah 25:6, where God provides a feast of rich food and well-aged wine. Psalm 104:15, God provides wine that gladdens the heart, in Matthew 11:19, Jesus is accused of being a glutton and a drunkard. And in 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advises Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach, for the medicinal value.
II. The Cleansing of the Temple (John 2:12-25)
Jesus goes to the temple in Jerusalem and finds people selling animals and exchanging money. He drives them out, accusing them of turning God’s house into a marketplace. This act fulfills the prophecy of Psalm 69:9, the psalmist says, zeal for your house will consume me, and foreshadows his death and resurrection, as he speaks of destroying the temple and raising it in three days.
More cross reference verses:
- Psalm 69:9 – a zeal for God’s house
- Malachi 3:1-3 – God will purify his temple
- Matthew 21:12-13 – Jesus cleanses the temple in Matthew’s account
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 – believers’ bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit
Conclusion: In John 2, Jesus begins his public ministry with a miracle and a bold act of righteousness. The wedding at Cana and the cleansing of the temple show two sides of Jesus: his compassion and his zeal for God’s holiness. These events foreshadow the rest of Jesus’ ministry, as he continues to perform miracles and challenge the religious authorities. John 2 invites us to believe in Jesus and to recognize his authority over all aspects of our lives.
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