Episode #70. Today we’ll read the 2nd chapter of John together: We read about Jesus’ very first miracle; a temple-cleansing that hasn’t been reported before; and many who believed in Jesus.
Transcript
Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #70. Today we’ll read the 2nd chapter of John together: We read about Jesus’ very first miracle; a temple-cleansing that hasn’t been reported before; and many who believed in Jesus.
Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast. I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together. Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should. It’s just easier to do it with a friend. So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud. I’m so glad you’re here!
It’s been kind of a crazy couple of weeks. Even though I worked from home during the quarantine, life seemed more measured, calmer, more digestible. I liked it. I didn’t want to let it go. But I’m back at the office now and it’s very busy, plus the new passion of the podcast every day, and limited social obligations…I have quickly begun to feel like the water line is beginning to rise, attempting to drown my new-found serenity. Our friends invited us to go kayaking last night and on the peacefulness of that lake, and thru the easy and restorative conversation I had with my friend, Susie, I resolved not to lose the precious tranquility that I have discovered while sheltering at home. What about you? What have you discovered during this pause in our busy lives? I’d love to hear from you on the website at liftinghervoice.com.
John 2: 1 On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and 2 Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding as well. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother told Him, “They don’t have any wine.” 4 “What has this concern of yours to do with Me, woman?” Jesus asked. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 “Do whatever He tells you,” His mother told the servants. 6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained 20 or 30 gallons. 7 “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then He said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the chief servant.” And they did. 9 When the chief servant tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from-though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom 10 and told him, “Everybody sets out the fine wine first, then, after people have drunk freely, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.” 11 Jesus performed this first sign in Cana of Galilee. He displayed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. 12 After this, He went down to Capernaum, together with His mother, His brothers, and His disciples, and they stayed there only a few days. 13 The Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple complex He found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and [He also found] the money changers sitting there. 15 After making a whip out of cords, He drove everyone out of the temple complex with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. 16 He told those who were selling doves, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning My Father’s house into a marketplace!” 17 And His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for Your house will consume Me. 18 So the Jews replied to Him, “What sign [of authority] will You show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this sanctuary, and I will raise it up in three days.” 20 Therefore the Jews said, “This sanctuary took 46 years to build, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body. 22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. And they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made. 23 While He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many trusted in His name when they saw the signs He was doing. 24 Jesus, however, would not entrust Himself to them, since He knew them all 25 and because He did not need anyone to testify about man; for He Himself knew what was in man.
It’s kind of ironic, isn’t it? That we read about the first miracle in the last Gospel? It’s worth the wait though…I love this account. I love the relationship between Jesus and Mary. I love how Jesus performs this miracle with so few words; so simply. I guess it even makes me smile to learn that people got drunk at weddings in the Biblical times just like they still do today. Again, somehow, it makes the people more real; more relatable. We also have not seen this next story in the previous Gospel accounts. Oh, yes, we have seen Jesus drive out moneychangers from the Temple, but that was at His return to Jerusalem during the last Passover before His crucifixion. What we read about here is at the beginning of His 3-year ministry. And finally, we are privy to the conversation in which Jesus makes the claim that He would rebuild the Temple in three days. While reading of the mock trial in the previous Gospels, we suspected Jesus was speaking of His body being in the grave for three days and then rising. Here, in John’s account, that is confirmed. Let’s pray. Lord, while I love this chapter, I must confess I’m troubled by the last few lines. I pray that You would help us to be believers because of who You are and not just because of the miracles You perform. Help us go beyond just lip-service to You and about You, but to be devoted to You with everything we are. Amen.
Thank you for joining me here today. I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here. In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort. Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us. If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review. Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. See you right here tomorrow. Be well!
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Show Notes
- Awesome Video of Solomon’s Temple
- These will help! Overview videos of all books of the Bible
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