In our John 2 Daily Devotional, we’re given a glimpse into the diverse facets of Jesus’s character. It all kicks off with a bang at a wedding bash in Cana, where Jesus, prompted by his mom, performs his inaugural miracle: turning water into top-notch wine. This seemingly small act packs a punch, signaling the start of his ministry and deepening the faith of his followers. But then, the mood shifts as we witness Jesus clearing house at the temple in Jerusalem. His fiery passion for the sacred clashes with the commercialization of worship, forcing us to question our own reverence and commitment. To find out what we will learn about Jesus in the Gospel of John, check out our Daily Devotional on John 1.
Jesus Loves You
As we unpack John 2, we encounter a Jesus who effortlessly moves between celebration and solemnity, balancing grace with grit. His temple tantrum challenges us to consider if our actions align with the respect owed to God’s dwelling place. And in his keen insight into human nature, we’re reminded of his intimate understanding of our innermost selves. It begs the question: do our thoughts and desires reflect the purity and righteousness he embodies?
Reflecting on these events, we’re nudged to take a hard look at our faith and behavior. We’re called to ponder how Jesus’s actions and words resonate in our lives today, striving to emulate his compassion, integrity, and devotion. Through prayer and self-reflection, may we open our hearts to Christ’s transformative power, inviting him to cleanse, renew, and guide us toward righteousness in a world often clouded by confusion and compromise.
John 2 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In John 2, we see the first miracle Jesus ever performed. We also see Jesus cleanse the temple with a whip. The chapter ends with, “he himself knew what was in man.” What does He see in you? Please read or listen to John 2.
John 2:1-11
In 1990, I wrote about this chapter, starting with verses 1-11, “Jesus’ first miracle. Obedience to His earthly mother. He met the need. It wasn’t a spiritual need; it was a social need. The result: Glory to God. Disciples believed in Him.” Then I referred to verse 13-17, “Jesus cleans out the temple, pouring out coins and overturning tables. Must have been quite a scene: anger, righteous anger. Can we be angry at sin and sin not?” Next, I referred to verses 18-22, “See things in the Spirit, not the physical. God give me these kind of eyes.” Then finally verses 23-25, “Jesus knows our nature.”
What Was the First Miracle Jesus Performed?
Fifteen years later, in 2005, I wrote, “Why did Jesus start His miracle ministry at a wedding turning water into wine? I don’t know. Mary didn’t ask Him for a miracle, she just asked Him to solve a problem like she would her eldest son. He decided to perform His first miracle. Why save the best for last? Jesus is available to give us His best now. Why live life without His best?”
I was in the San Francisco area of California doing two Ezra Project meetings when I read John 1. January 1st was on Sunday. This was Monday’s journal, so I wrote about that event, “Had a great day for Ezra yesterday. Probably the best. Valley Christian Center may be the largest church so far, about five-hundred people. Did both morning services and brought back over two hundred for evening service. Sold over one hundred journals. Praise the Lord! Linda, Pastor Ray’s wife, said, ‘You are anointed and will have a great year.’” It is nice to look back in these journals and see some of the history of the Ezra Project.
Jesus Knows Us?
Thirteen years later, in 2018, I wrote, “Jesus was invited to a wedding. He was known and liked, to be invited. Jesus did what His mother wanted, not what He wanted. He gave or did His best. He made the best wine. Am I doing my best? Jesus honored church feasts. He went to Jerusalem for Passover.” Next, I wrote, “He flips over tables, drives out people. He was a man of deeply held convictions and He acted on them. Am I? His disciples believed in the Scriptures and the word Jesus spoke to them. Over and over Jesus verifies the Word of God.” Finally, I wrote, “He knows us”, referring to verse 24.
Jesus Turns Water into Wine
Let’s take a look at John 2. The chapter begins with the first miracle Jesus ever performs at a wedding in Cana. Cana is in Galilee. Here, on display in the Scriptures, is His relationship with His mother. He is Jesus, He is the Son of God, but He obeys His mom. He turns water into wine at a wedding, at a feast, at a party. I asked in my journal, “Why would Jesus start His miracle-working ministry with this kind of miracle?” I wrote then, “I don’t know and I’m not sure I know anymore today.” The passage does not tell us much about why He did it. Verse 11 says, “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” That is a good enough reason for me.
Next, Jesus went to Capernaum and finally on to Jerusalem for Passover. I have visited Israel, and Galilee is long way from Jerusalem, especially by foot.
In John 2, we can see a little bit about the personality of Jesus. He went to weddings. He went to religious feasts like Passover. But as I mentioned in one of my journals too, He was a man of deep conviction. We see it as He enters the temple in Jerusalem, His Father’s house, “In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there” (v. 14). He said this, but He probably shouted it, “‘do not make my Father’s house a house of trade’” (v. 16). He put together that whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple.
Can you see Jesus pouring out the coins of the money changers and flipping over their tables? Is that the Jesus we think about? He made such a stir the Jews came to talk to Him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” (v. 18). In other words, “Who are you? What gives you the right to be flipping over money changer tables in our temple?” Jesus, as He so often does, gives them an answer they cannot understand, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (v. 19).
As John reflects on this moment as he writes his gospel, he says, “But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken” (vs. 21-22). Oh, for us to remember the things Jesus has done and believe the Scripture and the word Jesus has spoken.
John 2:24-25
John 2 finishes with these words, “But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all peopleand needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man” (vs. 24-25). Yes, Jesus knows us. He knows people. He knows what is in our hearts.
As we close out John 2, let’s ask some questions. What do you think about when you think about Jesus performing His first miracle at a wedding, turning water into wine? Do you get wrapped up in the question of why He did it? Or do you, like His disciples, believe in Him because He manifested His glory?
What do you think about Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, throwing over tables, whipping people with cords, and driving out people from the temple? If He saw you in a house of worship, would He be pleased with your behavior or would He be tempted to drive you out?
What Do You Think about Jesus knowing All People and Knowing What Is in Your Heart?
And what do you think about Jesus knowing all people and knowing what is in your heart? What is Jesus seeing in your heart? He Himself knows what is in man. Let’s pray.
Father, examine our hearts today. As You do, we pray that what You see in our hearts would not cause You to put a whipping cord together and turn over our tables. We pray what You would see would be pleasing in Your sight.
We thank You, in the very first miracle, You showed You would meet people’s needs. Meet our needs today. We are in great need of You. Come closer to us through the Gospel of John. We pray it, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
