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“But What Will He Do?" • 5.12.19
• Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- John's gospel has thus far set Jesus Christ
as the satisyfing centerpiece to philosophers, prophets and the people of Israel.
- To the philosopher, He is the Word, the
logos, of God. To the prophet, He is the Lamb and Son of God. To the people of
Israel, He is the Messiah, the King of Israel.
- These are massive claims, which must now
flesh out in action. What will characterize Christ's ministry? How will His
being interact with human life?
- Chapter 2 brings us right into the
theater of humanity and the first two essential actions that Christ enacts in
our lives, illustrated for us within two epic moments.
- We'll begin with Christ's Power To
Convert In Cana. Verse 1.
Text
• John 2:1-3 : "On the third day there was a
wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples
were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, 'They
have no wine.'" : Mapmakers
place Cana right between the Mediteranean and the sea of Galilee, though the
exact location is unknown.
- Three days have passed since John the Baptist
declared that Christ was God's Lamb.
- Jesus, his Mother Mary and his disciples are
in town for a wedding, which in the ancient days, was not a single day affair,
but a week long celebration of a newly married couple.
- Tradition held that the family throwing the
wedding would provide food and drink for the guests for the entire seven days.
The bad news here is that the family "lacked wine."
- We aren't told when the wine ran out but it's
clear that the family had seriously underestimated their need. It's difficult
for us to relate to this crisis.
- Understand first, that the depletion of wine
was not something that could simply be remedied by a run to the local liquor
store!
- This was an agricultural area and each family
was dependant upon it's own supply.
- Second, when your guests have brought their
gifts and committed their time, it was more than a social foul to not have
wine. It could have created a litigious situation! "Honey, we're being
sued!"
- To underscore the severity of the moment,
Mary runs to the only person that can help!
- Most scholars presume that Jesus was now the
man of Mary's house. Mary was used to leaning upon her eldest son for support
for years, but had likely never asked Him to act in this way.
- With that in mind, Jesus gives a curious
response. Verse 4.
• John 2:4,5 : "Jesus said to her, 'Woman, what does
your concern have to do with Me? My hour
has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Whatever He says to you, do
it.'" : A
superficial glance might cause us to believe that Jesus just disrespected His
Mother! Truthfully, if we spoke to our Mother's this way, it would be sinful
indeed!
- It's unfortunate that we read with eyes
colored by our own culture and that we aren't able to discern the Lord's tone.
His words are endearing, the NLT translating it "Dear woman."
- While it's kind, akin to our "Ma'am,"
it certainly isn't intimate. There is a distance in this that is meant reflect
a change in our Lord's focus.
- His hour had not yet come, but the hour of
His focus upon earthly crises was past! I believe that He is expressing to His
Mother that it is time for Him to commence His ministry!
- Mary is not insulted, but is supportive of
the sentiment, immediately conferring with the servants to follow His
instructions to the tee! With that, she moves back into the wedding!
- Consider this in light of Roman Catholic
theology. Mary could not effect the Lord's behavior, nor could she change the
condition that her friends were in.
- It is significant however, that these are the
final words that Mary will speak in scripture. It's a message worth hearing
again: "Whatever He says to do, do it!" What would Jesus do? Verse 6.
• John 2:6-10 : "Now there were set there six
waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews,
containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, 'Fill the waterpots with water.' And they filled them up to the
brim. And He
said to them, 'Draw
some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.' And they took it. When the master of the feast had
tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but
the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the
bridegroom. And
he said to him, 'Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when
the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine
until now!'" : These
waterpots are specifically said to be made of "stone."
- Just over a month ago, archeologists dug up a
cave quarry "workshop" in which many different stone vessels of
varying sizes were discovered.
- During the second temple period that Jesus
lived in, the laws governing ceremonial purity took on an almost ridiculous
tone.
- The religious authorities weighed in on the
type of pots people could use to be cleansed in!
- Clay or ceramic pots would eventually become
ceremonially useless but chalkstone was an incorruptible material! Enter the
burgeoning industry that rose to meet this new demand!
- What does that tell you about this family?
They are rich, practical and legally observant. Their jars are large enough to
hold "purification" water for a large group of servants.
- These six had already been emptied and were
the perfect vessel for the Lord to have the servants fill. Keep in mind how
much each waterpot could hold.
- When He commanded the servants to fill these,
this required a concentrated effort to go to the nearest well to draw water
from. This was not a simple task, but look at their work.
- At the Lord's command, these servants filled
the waterpots to the brim! These waterpots couldn't hold another drop! This is
a great illustration to you and I.
- Are you serving the Lord's commands with this
kind of heart? Whatever "waterpot" the Lord has placed before you,
don't stop until you have filled it to the brim! Paul instructs us clearly in
• Colossians 3:22-24 : "Bondservants, obey in all things
your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but
in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to
men, knowing
that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you
serve the Lord Christ." : When
the servants had finished, 150 gallons of water stood before the Messiah. What
does Jesus do?
- He doesn't say or do anything except to tell
them to bring a sample to the Master of the Feast. Were the waterpots filled
with wine or did the water turn into wine as they drew it out?
- We don't know, but whatever they drew was
tested by an ultra discerning source. This "Master of the Feast," was
a supervisor of sorts and was accustomed to providing critique.
- He is a head butler of sorts, who stands to
present his host's best side. When he had a taste, his eyes lit up and his
response tells the whole story. "You saved the best for last!"
- Generally, the practice at weddings was to
bring out the best vintage first. When everyone had been drunk for a while, why
waste the good stuff any longer? 2 buck chuck would suffice!
- The Master of the Feast though wasn't a
drinker. He was a connoisseur! He wasn't paid to drink, as much as he was paid
to be sure that the right wine was presented at the right time.
- He knew good wine when he tasted it and this
was it! In his professional estimation, they had saved the best for last and
saved the family from potential ruin! Verse 11.
• John 2:11,12 : "This beginning of signs Jesus did
in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in
Him. After
this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His
disciples; and they did not stay there many days." : John marks this activity as the
"beginning of signs."
- This is a mark or a token which points to
that which is coming. It is an action which precedes other actions just like
it.
- It's the first crumb on the crumb trail
leading the watching world to a conclusion! In this case, it was a sign that
was pointing to His glory, who He really was! This is the Messiah!
- But what is the meaning? Why a wedding?
Consider a few thoughts here. Before there was government, there was family and
before there was family, there was marriage!
- Marriage is the first institution that God
ordains upon the Earth after creating it!
- Jesus did His first sign at a wedding,
putting His stamp of approval upon an institution that will serve as an
illustration of His own relation to His people! Christians are the bride of
Christ!
- Consider also the nature of the work that was
done! The Messiah is in the business of transformation, taking something
ordinary and making it extraordinary by the work of His will!
- Literally, in this case, He converted water
into wine by the power of His own desire to make it so. Because wine's value is
related to it's age, this means He aged it to perfection!
- It is powerful, instantaneous and attested to
by everyone that witnesses it! In that respect, the words of the Master of the
Feast speak poignantly regarding the converting work of Christ in a life.
- Think of the contrast. The world offers you
it's very best up front and then when you are desensitized, it sustains your
addiction with barely palatable wine! Not so with the Lord!
- He begins with good and as we remain in Him,
He consistently brings out better and better wine to make our joy complete in
Him! When the disciples recognized this sign, they believed.
- They "faithed" in Him! They placed
their confidence in Him and followed Him to Capernaum for a short time until it
was time for the Passover feast.
- The Messiah's ministry expresses the power to
convert. This final section illustrates "His Right To Cleanse His
Temple." Verse 13.
• John 2:13-17 : "Now the Passover of the Jews was at
hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and
doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords,
He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured
out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold
doves, 'Take these things away! Do
not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!' Then His disciples remembered that
it was written, 'Zeal for
Your house has eaten Me up.'" : The scene switches dramatically from
the village of Cana to the relative metropolis of Jerusalem. It moves from the
crowded house to the overcrowded city!
- The authority and reality of Christ is
powerful in any place where He is welcomed! He is not the God of villagers or
the God of city folk. He is God and Lord of all!
- The Passover feast was one of three annual
feasts that all Jewish men were required to attend. According to Josephus, an
average Passover feast could host over 2 million people!
- If you have ever exited an athletic event, think
of your mobility and the noise and the attitudes that surround you! That is
what it feels like to be there.
- Just above the regular volume of the crowd,
the Lord hears the noise of auctioneers who are in the Temple selling
sacrificial animals. Their presence was not unusual.
- In fact, making the journey to Jerusalem was
quite an undertaking for some families. Some would opt to purchase animals on
site, rather than lead them along. (Deuteronomy 14:23ff)
- Somewhere along the line, somebody figured
out that they could profit from this. Soon, there were "sacrifice
inspectors" who disqualified otherwise perfect lambs.
- You could buy a "perfect lamb" for
just this much more. "But wait, you can't bring that Roman money into the
temple! Come over here to exchange it for temple shekels!"
- The exchange rate was exorbitant and the
whole process was a burden! Neither your animal nor your money were good enough
for God! The whole message was a corruption!
- Jesus stepped aside from the line to the
front and carefully constructed a whip. He is methodical and measured. His rage
is justified, but it will be focused!
- Before you know it, merchants are fleeing,
money is flying and animals are flocking out of the area! Somehow, just the men
with the doves are left! Why were they still standing there?
- These men were selling doves to the poor!
That was a poor person's offering according to Leviticus 12:8. His own
family brought turtledoves on His first visit to the Temple. (Luke 2:24)
- I can't imagine their eyes as the Lord
declares His judgment upon them! "You are turning the Temple into an
Emporium!" They remained momentarily as the symbol of the greatest insult!
- They were making the place of God's worship
into a retail center and are even exploiting the very poorest of God's people!
Jesus was offended by their lack of respect for the sacred. Aren't you?
- Do you see parallels of this kind of
merchandising in and around the church today? It's scandalous but it isn't new!
- Beside a personal distaste however,
understand that the Lord's action was not done to relieve Himself of His
dislike. He was performing and fulfilling a Messianic function!
- The disciples would realize later that this
action was a fulfillment of Psalm 69:9. The entirety of the Psalm cannot
apply to Christ.
- However, once you get to verse 8,
you'll see an Old Testament commentary on what Christ was experiencing on that
day.
• Psalm 69:8,9 : "I have become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my
mother’s children; Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the
reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me." : By virtue of Christ's passion for
God's house, He experienced the alienation that the Psalmist spoke of.
- All of Israel should have felt as strongly as
He did, but on that day, because He was the only one with a right response, He
felt as if He was the strange one!
- The disciples were not the only ones to
consider this an act of one identifying as the Messiah. Jesus was immediately
questioned by the religious leaders. Verse 18.
• John 2:18-22 : "So the Jews answered and said to
Him, 'What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will
raise it up.' Then
the Jews said, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You
raise it up in three days?' But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from
the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they
believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said." : The Jews, the men that had charge of
the Temple, who allowed this flea market environment, wanted credentials.
- They asked Jesus for a sign to authenticate
His action. They understood that this was a function of the Messiah. How could
he prove it to them?
- He will only offer them one reply related to
the destruction of the Temple and His declaration that He would raise it in
three days.
- You and I know, especially from what we have
before us, that the Lord is speaking about the actual Temple! Jesus is the true
meeting place between God and Man.
- When He dies, He will have the power to raise
Himself from death! Your assignment this week is to find the passages where the
Father and the Spirit are also responsible for His resurrection.
- The religious leaders however, can only see
the physical copy, the shadow before them! They are devoted to the building and
addicted to the power that was assigned to them.
- When they hear the Lord's statement, they can
only respond to the physical structure. "It took 46 years to build!"
The Jews are referring to Herod the Great's repairs made to the Temple complex.
- As a political favor to the Jews, he expanded
their Temple in profound measure, employing 18,000 people over a 46 year period
and at this time, it was only halfway complete!
- Herod made the Temple into quite a showpiece
of architectural design. At this moment in history, it was a wonder to behold,
yet, it would soon be devoid of any relevance!
- The disciples remembered this exchange after
the Lord's resurrection. They put the pieces together and believed what the
Lord had said. There were others who "believed" as well. Verse 23.
• John 2:23-25 : "Now when He was in Jerusalem at the
Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs
which He did. But
Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should
testify of man, for He knew what was in man." : During that time, even though the
religious leaders failed to believe in Him, many others did.
- They believed in His Name when they saw the
signs, plural, which He did, but that John did not record. Why not record more
for us John?
- John will give us what we need to see and
that should be sufficient for us. The sense behind these two verses is that
they believed on Him because of the signs, not because of who He was!
- Accordingly, while they believed in Him, He
didn't believe in them! Their faith did not progress beyond a surface level
that would need to be stimulated by greater and greater miracles!
˚ "If belief
is nothing more than admiration for the spectacular, it will create in
multitudes applause; but the Son of God cannot commit Himself to that kind of
faith." G. Campbell Morgan
- Jesus knew the kind of men that were
following Him and He didn't need their attestation. He didn't want their testimony!
He didn't want to be their "miracle making machine!"
- That is what is in men! They wanted to take
some aspect of Christ that they liked and make Him fit that mold. That is
idolatry! Jesus will not allow men to dictate what they want from Him!
- We take Christ for who He is, not what we
want Him to be! And if we do, we submit ourselves to His cleansing work!
Whatever He finds in us that isn't pleasing to Him, He is free to remove!
Conclusion
- The Lord's
ministry is marked by the power of conversion. By His will alone, He has made
us His children. He gave us this right when we believed upon Him.
- Consequently,
when He gave us the right to become His children, He assumed the right to
cleanse His new dwelling place! The Church is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
- His people
are satellite sources of that Temple and as such, are subject to the same work!
Why does He do this? So that the world will see Him! Our conversion and
cleansing is evidence!
- Our lives
stand as a living testimony that Christ can be trusted with any life that will
trust Him!
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