A study of John 2:1-12 shows God’s concern about small problems, how Jesus honored his earthly mother, glorified God, and deepened the belief of his disciples.
A study of John 2:1-12 shows God’s concern about small problems.
When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” (ESV, John 2:3)
Does God care when our car has a flat tire? We suffer an ingrown toenail? Lose our cell phone? We hesitate to inconvenience God for these small problems since he has such bigger concerns in managing the entire universe.
But it didn’t stop his human mother, Mary, from presenting a small problem. Her comment to Jesus they were out of wine carried an implied plea for help.
Jesus was attending a wedding in the town of Cana in Galilee near his hometown of Nazareth along with his five new disciples. The wedding couple are not named, but we can speculate likely relatives or close friends. And Mary was responsible for helping in some manner.
Joseph isn’t mentioned, which suggests Mary is a widow. And as the oldest son, Jesus now financially supported the family as a carpenter. He hadn’t performed any miracles yet, so we shouldn’t assume Mary expected one. But probably leaned on Jesus as the male leader in the home to address the problem.
It wasn’t a global disaster, but represented an embarrassing, social disaster for the wedding family. Is that serious enough for God’s attention? Mary thought so.
A study of John 2:1-12 shows how Jesus honored his earthly mother.
And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come. (ESV, John 2:4)
The Greek word for “woman” is gynai which means woman or wife. It was not inherently, disrespectful, but culturally used in a manner similar to the way we use “ma’am” today. Polite, but a bit more formal than “Mom.” And the same word Jesus used from the cross in John 19:26-27 when when he assigned the parental care of Mary to John the Apostle.
Jesus could have used the Greek word mētēr which also means mother and conveys the biological and relational closeness of Mary as his earthly mother.
So why not?
Jesus’ gentle rebuke to Mary suggests a reason. First, he was no longer a boy under her authority, but a man. Not just her son, but the Son of God. And second, his messianic mission must take priority over his earthly responsibilities. Their relationship was therefore now subject to that mission. As a sinner, Mary had to relate to him as Savior, just like we do today. Believe on him as the Son of God by faith and follow him as a disciple.
Luke 2:41-51 presents another story of Jesus’ relationship with his parents as a boy. On a family trip to Jerusalem when he was twelve, his parents accidently left him behind as they left for home. When they realized he wasn’t with anyone in the family, they returned to Jerusalem and found him in the temple listening to and interacting with the teachers. His answer to their parental rebuke was probably, surprisingly unexpected.
And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? (ESV, John 2:49)
Even at the age of twelve, Jesus clearly recognizes himself as the Son of God. It makes the next verse even more astounding.
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. (ESV, Luke 2:51).
Jesus as the perfect, Son of God, was submissive to his imperfect, human parents. Therefore, it’s no surprise he honored his human mother with her problem. But he did so in a spectacular, miraculous manner that only he could pull off.
A study of John 2:1-12 shows Jesus glorified God and deepened the belief of his disciples.
This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (ESV, John 2:11)
There were six large pots for water that each held 20-30 gallons. And Jesus instructed servants to fill them all to the brim with water and then draw some out for the master of the feast to taste. Somewhere between the filling with water to the taste test, it turned into wine. And not the cheap stuff you expect after taste buds dull, but the best for last.
Imagine the surprise from both the servants and the disciples!
But it more than a favor for Mary. And even honoring her as his mother. It was a miraculous sign that he was the Messiah. A purposeful act that revealed his divine nature and glimpse of his glory as the incarnate Son of God.
There were miracles to come that would be more spectacular and before large crowds. This one was seen by only a handful of people. But for those–especially his disciples–it was significant because it deepened their belief in him. And today, those who are paying attention can also see, believe in, and respond to Jesus as Savior and Lord. The incarnate Son of God.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
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When Jesus healed a paralyzed man is a story recorded in Mark 2:1-12. But it involved more than a miracle. Here are some lessons for us today.
When Jesus healed a paralyzed man he was impressed by the show of faith
In this passage Jesus taught a crowd of people in a home. It was so packed that when four men brought a paralyzed friend for Jesus to heal they couldn’t get through the front door. So they climbed to the roof, cut a hole in it, and let the man down on a bed. Impressed by their show of faith, Jesus told the man his sins were forgiven.
Religious leaders in the crowd were outraged. Who did Jesus think he was? Only God could forgive sin! Jesus knew their thoughts and acknowledged that merely saying, “your sins are forgiven” proved nothing. To make a claim was easy. Proving it something else. Like stamping a visible forgiveness halo over the man’s head.
Faith is what makes Christianity so hard for many people to accept. Because faith is intangible. It requires a personal decision of belief followed by an action. And without it, you will never please God.
So Jesus did something tangible and much more impressive than a visible forgiveness halo. He instructed the man, “rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” AND HE DID.
It visibly demonstrated Jesus’ divine power to heal and therefore, his authority to forgive sin. But faith is always our part to play.
When Jesus healed a paralyzed man he also healed his spiritual brokenness
The paralyzed man sought physical healing. But Jesus also healed his spiritual brokenness. The passage doesn’t identify the man’s sin but it must have been pressing because Jesus addressed it first.
Maybe bitterness in his heart because of his paralysis. He blamed God or someone else who caused it. Or perhaps something unrelated to his paralysis. The point is that sin in the heart takes many forms and paralyzes you as much as a physical handicap. Sins like…
Anger
Jealousy
Pride
Sexual immorality
Unforgiveness
To name just a few. They consume our thoughts and darken our hearts. Jesus recognized whatever it was in the paralyzed man’s life and released him from it.
And he does the same for us. Because sin holds you captive, damages relationships, and separates you from God. But the forgiveness through Jesus Christ heals your spiritual brokenness and sets you free.
When Jesus healed a paralyzed man some people still rejected him
You’d think in such a dramatic, miraculous healing that everyone present would believe in Jesus and follow him. But no. There are always people who reject Jesus, despite the evidence. And in this story, ironically, it was the religious leaders.
But people also reject Jesus today. Why? Maybe because you…
Think following Jesus involves too many rules
Want control
Have a lifestyle you won’t give up
Of course there are many other reasons too. Because to follow Jesus you must…
Recognize you’re spiritually broken
Make a decision based on faith
Commit your life to following Jesus
What the paralyzed man did was simple. He approached Jesus in an act of faith. The same is true for us today although it’s not a popular or easy life. But one with purpose, meaning, and spiritual freedom. Oh yeah. And the promise of a really cool life following this one.
Lessons from Jonah and the whale.The Bible story presents an amazing miracle. And it’s not about the whale. In fact, we’re not certain it was a whale. But that’s another story. Here are four things the Bible story teaches us today.
Lessons from Jonah and the whale. It teaches the importance of obedience.
Obedience to God is consistently taught throughout the Bible. Scripture tells us to trust God. Exercise faith. And obey his commands. Usually presented as a choice we can follow or reject.
But the Bible story of Jonah and the whale is different.
God tells Jonah to go and preach to the city of Nineveh. Warn them to repent from their wicked ways. But Jonah doesn’t want to. And he tries to run away…or in this case sail away on a ship.
Typically when we choose not to speak up for God, that’s all there is to it. God finds someone else or other means to achieve his will. But in this story, God is insistent. He’s really serious about Jonah delivering his message to the people of Nineveh.
So God gently persuades Jonah to change his mind by sending a violent storm. And the sailors on the ship throw him overboard to save themselves.
Lessons from Jonah and the whale. It teaches that God often takes unexpected measures.
Enter the whale. The big fish. Massive, life form, ocean transport. Who saves Jonah from drowning by swallowing him and spitting him up on land three days later.
It’s a good reminder there is no place beyond God’s reach. Whether you’re running from him. Or feel lost and forgotten.
There’s no pit too deep. No place too remote. Sin too horrible.
And God will take unexpected measures to spread this news. He’ll use unlikely people, unusual circumstances, and unconventional methods. The whale, I’m sure you’ll agree, was pretty unconventional. And surprised both Jonah and the whale.
The point is, God is sovereign. He doesn’t have to use us in serving his purpose. He wants to. And we don’t have to obey. We get to.
It was an important lesson for Jonah. One we should learn too.
Lessons from Jonah and the whale. It teaches about God’s mercy.
Jonah finally obeys. Goes to Nineveh, travels through the city and preaches. Although it’s not a message of love and forgiveness. But of doom. Turn to God or face his wrath!
Not a message that would go over well today. And yet, the people of Nineveh repented and turned to God. Even the king who issued a proclamation for everyone to turn to God.
Therefore, God relented on sending a disaster on the city
And this makes Jonah mad! He even admits it’s why he didn’t want to go in the first place. Because he knew God was merciful and would forgive the people of Nineveh if they repented.
Seriously? Aren’t we supposed to celebrate when sinners repent? Welcome them into the kingdom of God?
And yet, perhaps there’s a little bit of Jonah in all of us. A tiny bit of satisfaction to see others get what’s coming to them. But thanks be to God he is not like us. Slow to anger and quick to forgive. His compassion never fails. And his mercies are new every day.
Lessons from Jonah and the whale. It teaches that people are God’s priority.
The amazing miracle in the story is not that a whale swallowed Jonah. That he survived it for three days. Or even that Jonah’s message pierced the hearts of a city’s entire population.
Rather, it’s the grace, mercy and love of an almighty God. Who takes extreme measures to reach a lost world with the gospel message. That all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
And changed forever.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
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