John 2: 1-22

It is important to remember that John’s Gospel is not a travel log of all the places Jesus went and the things he did and said. Neither is it an historical record of the life of Jesus. John’s Gospel is a theological interpretation of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. It would be very confusing to compare the timeline in this Gospel with the other three Gospels. As an example, Matthew, Mark and Luke only have Jesus, as an adult, going to Jerusalem one time, at the end of his ministry. John will follow Jesus in and out of Jerusalem several times. So, instead of getting bogged down comparing John with the other Gospel writers let’s focus of why John is telling us this story of Jesus.

John is a master writer. As John tells us about Jesus he will identify seven signs that Jesus is the Messiah. Remember Jacobs ladder from chapter one? It represents a connection between heaven and earth and for John the signs (miracles) Jesus performs are just that; heaven and earth coming together in the person of Jesus.  In today’s passage he tells us the miracle at the wedding in Cana was the first sign. When we get to chapter four he will identify a second sign. After that we are on our own to find the remaining five signs. (There were more than seven signs; John only writes about seven of them.)

I see at least three points to ponder in today’s reading. In Jerusalem Jesus likened the Temple, the place where heaven and earth came together for the Jews, to his own body. The New Covenant teaches that the Holy Spirit dwells within the believer. Does that mean heaven and earth come together within me, within you?

Jesus’ mother is only mentioned twice in this Gospel; at the wedding (the first sign) and at the crucifixion. Is that significant?

John begins chapter two and the story of the wedding in Cana by saying, “On the third day . . .” Why does John tell us this? Is that significant? Are we supposed to see a connection between verse one and 19?

Are you seeing any signs of Jesus the Messiah in the ordinary flow of your life? If so, do these signs cause you to believe, to trust Jesus?

Selah.

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

5-Mar-12      John 2:23-3:21