Sacrilege in the sanctuary

 

John 2v 12-17  Scene       the temple in Jerusalem

His Divine passion for His Father’s house

We come now to a very different situation…the scene is now the temple in Jerusalem.  In the first cameo we saw Him at the wedding to assist the families in their want.  Here He uses His authority to condemn the sharp practices in the sacred precincts.  We now witness His anger as His Father’s house is being violated.   To understand this portion we must take account of two terms...The Jews Passover, and the Father’s house.

Spirituality in Israel was in decline.  The Passover was a Divinely instituted feast, and was known as “The Lord’s Passover”—Exodus 12v11,v27, v48; Leviticus 23v5; Numbers 28v16; Deuteronomy 16v1; 2^nd Kings 23v21.  It was the Passover of the Lord, and the Passover unto the Lord, yet it is now “the Jews Passover”.  What was a sacred Divine institution has been hijacked by men who seek influence through it, for many follow it.  They had turned it into a place of business where visiting strangers were being robbed.  How much is a similar decline true of many churches today, which have become a paradise for men to rule the minds of people, and robbing God of His true worship, as well as His people who are denied proper instruction?  A beautiful sacred worship had become a meaningless ritual with thieving intent.  In less than a century the church at Ephesus had become a fallen church, unable to bear true testimony.  The Protestant movement has decayed to various levels of compromise. The evangelical live revival of the 19th century, has descended into rank sectarianism.  What began as the bride of Christ in Acts 2 will give rise to the whore of Revelation 17.  When men take control of a Divine institution, it very rapidly declines.  We have to ask ourselves, is Christ truly the head of the church?;  is the Holy Spirit in control of the distribution of the gifts? Or are we heaping up for ourselves teachers, having itching years, deciding to listen only to what we want to hear?  When men takeover the House of God, it becomes nothing more than a social club devoid of spiritual life.

Jesus called the temple His Father’s house.  In Matthew 23, v38, at the end of His public ministry, He had to say, concerning it, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”  In the end, He disowned it.  Desolation is all that is left when God removes His presence.  John chapter 2 it is called a “house of merchandise”; in Matthew, Mark and Luke, it is said to be a “den of thieves.”  

Secularism had become extortion in the name of God.  The moneychangers were short-changing the many visitors who came for the Passover.  According to Josephus, the Jewish historian, they were selling nickel doves for $4.  They were cashing in on people’s need to worship, and fixing the exchange rates. The extent of this. was horrifying, because it is thought around 2.7 million could have been present in Jerusalem at this time.  God does not want His house to be used either for secular gain or extortion.  Behold the power of Deity as he moves among them swiftly, clears the temple of cattle, sheep and people, overturning the tables of the moneychangers.  This was nothing short of  sacrilege in the House of God, which is not for secular use, even under the guise of attracting people in.  It is a House of prayer, and meditation, a House for instruction and worship, and should remain so.  His disciples remembered it was written-Psalm 69v9,  ”…the zeal of Thine House hath eaten me up.”  With what power and speed He acted to preserve the honour of His Father!

Water to wine

 

John 1v1-11 His Divine provision for immediate need

Jesus attends a wedding in Cana of Galilee, where he was an invited guest along with His mother and His disciples.  His mother is mentioned especially in this event.  Firstly, we note that they were sociable; this was true of Jesus always, as He was happy to socialise with all different people.  Secondly, He was no party pooper, for He met the need of the hour when they ran out of wine.  No matter how we view this incident, it tells us our Lord was prepared to meet an immediate need, and He had no scruples about supplying wine, which was the normal fare for a wedding.  In walking among men, He observed such customs as were acceptable to God.  Wine, symbolically in the bible, represented that which went with joy and happiness, the very essence of what a wedding should be.  The union of a couple in marriage was a Divine institution and a matter of joy.  In reality the wedding and the wine are INCIDENTAL in this account; what is to the fore is the majesty of the Divine guest.  His mother was aware of the need and said to the hosts “Whatsoever He saith unto you do it ”.   According to historians, such a wedding feast may last any of 2/14 days, depending on how rich the family hosts were.  Such an occasion was so important in Jewish culture that if there was inadequate supply it was an embarrassment to the family, and indeed could have resulted in litigation by the parents of the bride against the other family.  So what we have here is no small matter, but one of immense importance to a family name, and both Jesus and His mother read the situation.  This is a gesture of social bonding which is important in any society.

As we ponder the thrust of these events, both this one and those future, we must understand Jesus is moving into a different mode of service than before.  He is now in the public sphere, and now His tone is one of authority.  He is dealing with things as the Son of God in full mode of Deity, and in full command of every situation.  He says to His mother, “Woman what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come”.  In the gospel of John, He never addresses her as mother for He is speaking as God.  He refers to the timing of things, for everything is now according to the will of His Father only, and at the right time.  He was now working to the Divine timetable.  This is repeated in 4v21v23; 5v25v28; 12v27;13v1; 17v1.  His mother understood perfectly and did not take offence, but advised the servants to do His bidding.

Receiving inward confirmation from His Father, Jesus sets about performing His first public miracle, which would be a signpost to His Deity.  “Fill the water pots with water ”, He said.

The water pots were of stone and empty of water speaking of man’s dead religion; there were six of them, the biblical number of man.   All the ceremony in the world was worthless in this situation.  Only Jesus can produce the wine.  This is an astonishing miracle for they filled the pots to the brim involving over 100 gallons of water(firkins are 9 imperial gallons).  Jesus bypassed the natural process of turning water to wine, for this is exactly what happens in nature.  However the earthen clay pots were no vessels to bring wine from water, only God can do that.  The Divine word of Christ was enough to make the miraculous change, and He accelerated the natural process without the soil and the vines.  In a moment the water was turned to wine and the wedding feast continued without a hitch.  No soil, no vine, no grapes, no presses, no process of fermentation.  Water to wine in an instant, we are face to face with the Creator, the One who can fast-forward a natural process in an instant.

“This beginning of miracles (signs) did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested forth His glory: and His disciples believed on Him.”

It's all about His glory, and about our faith in Him. The lesson for us here is that God can use the ordinary circumstances of life to demonstrate the extraordinary glory of His power.  The lesson for us is, as His mother said, do what He says if you want anything.   John said in chapter 1 “We beheld His glory…”, here it is evident again in the first miracle. 

Water to wine

 

2-12     The Deity of Christ declared in miracles

Chapter 2   The beginning of signs

The scene is Cana and Capernaum in Galilee.  We remind ourselves of the purpose of this book, as stated in chapter 20v30-31 “And many other signs did Jesus truly in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that, believing, ye might have life through His name.”

John’s gospel. Is the portrait of Jesus as the Son of God presenting His deity all its facets.  We are confronted with God dwelling in a body in the person of Jesus Christ.  So we must look beyond the narrative and see the actions of God in flesh. Chapter 1, we have the verbal evidence- the testimony of others.  Here in chapter 2, we have the more visible evidence of his Deity.  The beginning of signs that are recorded throughout the book.  They were all miracles, that is deeds that were beyond the normal, but John calls them signs, as they were a pointer to the reality of who He was.

Signs can be defined as follows: a) A distinguishing mark by which an event or a person is known; b) A miracle of supernatural proportions; c) A portent of an impending tragedy.  The particular usage of this by John is that these miracles point to Jesus as the son of God.  The miracles were a blessing to those who were healed, but John is presenting them as evidence of His Deity.  In all there are seven signs and they were done in the presence of His disciples in order to bolster their faith.

·      Chapter 2v1-11, turning the water into wine. He is the sovereign Lord of time.

·      Chapter 4v46-54, The healing of the nobleman son. He is the sovereign Lord of all space.

·      Chapter 5v1-9, The healing of the impotent man. He is the sovereign Lord of the functions of the body.

·      Chapter 6v1-13, The feeding of the 5000. He is the sovereign Lord of the food supply.

·      Chapter 6v19-21, walking on water. He is the sovereign Lord over nature.

·      Chapter 9v1-17, He gives sight to the blind man. He is the sovereign Lord of human vision.

·      Chapter 11v1-43, Raising Lazarus from the dead. He is the sovereign Lord over death

Chapter 21v25  These are just some of the signs, but they are surely enough for simple faith.  If all were written, the world could not contain the books that could be written, He is the infinite, inscrutable, inexhaustible Son of God.  If all the miracles, all the deeds of kindness, all the gracious words, all the astonishing doctrine were written, the world could not contain Him. He will exhaust the poets attempts to describe Him; even exhaust the preachers ability to explain Him; and He will exhaust the sceptics schemes to deny Him. Whatever attribute we think of, love, grace, humility, meekness it is the same.  We would be exhausted but He is the inexhaustible, inscrutable, unstoppable Son of God.  He is God in flesh! The word signs is so important, we dare not ignore it.  We dare not give Him a second place.  He is the One, the God of the universe who walked amongst us.  The signs prove it, for only God can do this.

The chapter can be divided into four instances of the display of His Deity:

Verses 1-11    His provision for immediate need

Verses 12-17  His passion for the Father’s house

Verses 18-22  His power over death

Verses 23-25  His perception of reality

The Deity of Christ

                             Overview of the gospel of John

         The Deity of Christ declared by others

·      1v1-18      The testimony of John the apostle    

·      1v19-39    The testimony of John the Baptist

·      1v40-51    Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathaniel

2-12    The Deity of Christ displayed in miracles

Chapter 2     The first great sign

·      2v1-11   Provision for immediate need

·      2v12-17 Passion for His Father’s house

·      2v18-22 Power over death

·      2v23-23 Perception of the public reality

Chapter 3     Reaction of the public

·      3v1-21    Jesus addresses Nicodemus

·      3v22-36  Jesus addresses the Jews

Chapter 4    Journey from Judea to Galilee

·      4v1-6        Sychar’s well

·      4v7-26      Discussion with the woman about salvation

·      4v27-38    Discussion with the disciples about service

·      4v39-42    Acceptance in Samaria

·      4v43-54    The second great sign

Chapter 5      Return to Jerusalem, the third sign

·      5v1-18    Miracle of healing

·      5v19-47  Message of the healing

Chapter 6      Jesus the living bread

·      6v1-15     Feeding the multitude, the fourth sign

·      6v16-24   Calming the storm, the fifth sign

·      6v25-31   Exposing materialism

·      6v32-58   Asserting His Deity

·      6v59-71   Delineating choice

Chapter 7   Jesus the living water-The feast of tabernacles

·      7v1-14       The feast approaches-----disbelief

·      7v15-36     The midst of the feast—--debate

·      7v37-52     The last day of the feast—division

Chapter 8     Jesus the light of the world

·      8v1-21       The light exposes the hearts of the rulers

·      8v22-59     The light challenges the prejudices of the Jews

 

Chapter 9      Healing the blind man, the sixth sign

·      9v1-41      The light restores the sight of the blind

Chapter 10     Jesus the good shepherd

·      10v1-21     The aftermath of the feast of tabernacles

·      10v22-42   The feast of dedication

Chapter 11      Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, the seventh great sign

·      11v1-32    The shadow of death

·      11v33-44  The resurrection

·      11v45-57  The reaction of the Jews

Chapter 12    The feast of Passover

·      12v1-11     Supper at Bethany

·      12v12-28   Jesus troubled, the hour is come

·      12v29-50   The Jews divided

 

13-17 The Deity of Christ embraced by His disciples

Chapter 13    Preparing the disciples for service

·      13v1-17    Jesus washing the disciples feet

·      13v18-32  Judas warning of betrayal

·      13v33-38  Jesus announcing His departure

Chapter 14    Comforting the disciples

·      14v1-15        Comfort of heart

·      14v16-31      Comfort of spirit

Chapter 15     Fruitbearing---abiding in Christ6

·      15v1-8      Responsibility to God

·      15v9-17    Responsibility to each other

·      15v18-27  Responsibility to the world

Chapter 16      The Christian in the world

·      16v1-6      Persecution from the world

·      16v7-15    The Spirit in the world

·      16v16-22  The little while of separation

·      16v23-27  Contact with heaven in prayer

·      16v28-33  Overcoming the world

Chapter 17      The prayer of Jesus

·      17v1-10   For salvation

·      17v11-24 For sanctification

·      17v25-26 For glorification

18-19 The Deity of Christ dignified in suffering

Chapter 18   Christ arrested and charged unlawfully

·      18v1-11   Arrest in the garden

·      18v12-27 Arraignment before authorities

·      18v28-40 Accusations by tormentors

Chapter 19    Christ condemned

·      19v1-3      Disfigured

·      19v4-15    Disdained

·      19v16-18  Delivered

·      19v19-22  Designated

·      19v23-24  Disrobed

·      19v25-30  Devoted

·      19v31-42  Dead and buried

 

20-21 The Deity of Christ demonstrated in resurrection

Chapter 20   The resurrection of Christ

·      20v1-18      Resurrection morning-appears to Mary

·      20v19-25    Resurrection evening-appears to disciples

·      20v26-31    Eight days later-appears to Thomas

Chapter 21   On the banks of the sea of Tiberias

·      21v1-8       Fishing

·      21v9-17     Shepherding

·      21v18-25   Commissioning

Angels ascending and descending

 John 1v50-51   Hereafter you shall see greater things

Perhaps the speed at which Nathaniel moved from scepticism to total belief, prompted Jesus to offer perspective, just in case he thought he had “arrived”.   If your faith in me is because I know you, there is much more to learn.  There is a tendency with many of us toward "mushroom growth".  We get hold of one part of truth and we know it all.  We swing from one thing to another, like Peter who declared convincingly that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, then a little later refused to accept Jesus must suffer death-Matthew 16v16-17 with v22-23.  He spoke quickly, and correctly, as a revelation from God the Father, and shortly after his words were of Satan!  Not quite the same here but Jesus gently focuses on greater things to come.  So He quotes from the O/T narrative in Genesis 28, in which Jacob was fleeing from his brother Esau and was fearful of the future.  God appeared to him in a dream, promising covenant blessings and Divine preservation for the future.  He did this in a vision of a ladder that bridged the distance between heaven and earth, and declared that heaven was open to earth for those who trusted God.  Jesus took this up and applied it to Himself, and said this promise applied to all who followed Him. 

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”

Jesus was claiming that He was God, that He was the Messiah, that He was the stairway between heaven and earth, that angels come and go at His bidding, that they are at His beck and call at all times, that such activity and communication can be the experience of all who believe.

Because of sin there is a breakdown in communication from heaven to earth, and that is restored in Jesus for those who trust Him.  Nathaniel was "under the fig tree" when Jesus saw him from afar; The fig tree was the spot where dedicated Israelites sat to meditate and memorise scripture.  It may be the place he was reading was Genesis 28, and so Jesus alluded to it.  If so that means He not knew where He was, but where he was reading!  In Jesus heaven and earth is brought together and the disciples including Nathaniel would be witness to heavenly activity in the life of Jesus, which will ultimately be the normal in the great kingdom of God on earth, when heaven comes down to rule.  Nathaniel, along with us who are reading the narrative, will witness heaven on earth, and all the resources of heaven at our disposal.

Next  The Deity of Christ manifested in miracles...

He knows the present

 John 1v48-49   "Whence knowest thou me?"

He knew the whereabouts of Nathaniel, “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee” These declarations of Deity, things that only God would know, pervade the whole of the first half of the gospel… 

Chapter 2v25 He knew those who were genuine and those not; 

Chapter 4v1 He knew what the Pharisees had heard about Him;

Chapter 4v29 He knew the life history of the woman of Samaria;

Chapter 5v6 He knew how long the man at the pool was disabled;

Chapter 6v15 "He knew the intentions of His tormentors;

 Chapter 6v26 He knew the hearts of those who followed Him;

Chapter 6v52 He knew the disapproval of what He was teaching;

Chapter 7v16 He answered questions they didn't ask Him.

Chapter 9v3 He knew the facts about the man born blind from birth. 

The awesome truth of the omniscience of the man Jesus Christ! 

The Son of God knows who I am, and where I am at all times!

Nathaniel goes from stuttering incredulity to a perfect understanding of who was before him, “Thou art the Son of God, thou art the king of Israel."  However, Jesus was not taken in and replies that even he, the sincere Israelite, had much to learn.  

Next Jesus prophesies the future...

Christs knows all

 John 1v43-47  "Behold an Israelite indeed..."

The omniscience of Christ is one of His amazing characteristics, and it pervades the whole of this gospel by John.  There is nothing hid from Him, He knows every one of us better than we know ourselves.  This comes out in the narrative in John 1 and all the way through to chapter 21.  A reading of Psalm 139 will declare the extent of this, He knows even what we are thinking.  So closely is He acquainted with us that the Psalmist was aware of it "O Lord thou hast searched me and known me, thou knowest my downsitting and my uprising"-He knows us on the couch at home!  "Thou understandest my thought afar off"-He is inside our head!  "Thou compassest my path"-He knows where we go.  "...and my lying down..." even in my sleep.  Thou art acquainted with all my ways" He knows what we are, how we operate, what motivates us!  "There is not a word in my tongue but what thou knowest it altogether"-He hears every word!  

In His journeys He finds Philip, who finds Nathaniel and so the disciples are methodically gathered.  Phillip declares to Nathaniel, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth the son of Joseph.”  At first Nathaniel was sceptical, saying, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?  Such was the reputation of Nazareth, Nathaniel doubted the word of Philip, who says come and see for yourself.  When they met, Jesus said to him, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile !”  Nathaniel was impressed and said “Whence knowest thou me?  In a section which seems to take us back to the story of Jacob, this declaration is unique.  Jacob was the patriarch who was a conman, a deceiver, who manipulated things and people to his own advantage-refer Genesis 25-49-yet who in the hand of God was changed and he was changed to Israel-a prince with God-Genesis 32v24-28.  Says Jesus to Nathaniel "Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no Jacob!  No wonder Nathaniel was taken aback, here is one whom I have never met yet He knows all about me, including my inward self!  Jesus knew that Nathaniel was a true Israelite, with no self-interest in him.  What does He know about us? The Son of God knows the character of every one of us.  He knows if we are the real thing, what does He know about me?  We wonder and worship that one so great would become our Saviour.

Next  He knows where we are on any day...

 

What will be will be

 The Son of God knows the future of every one of us

John 1v40-42 

Andrew was the lesser known of the two brothers from the fishing community.  What he did was persuade his brother, who would rise to be an apostle, to follow Jesus.  How many family members have brought their siblings to Jesus? Note what he said to him “We have found the Messiah…”  Andrew found his brother the same day, so there was no delay, so urgent was this matter to him. This was a huge statement, and Andrew’s appreciation of Him had grown.  They addressed Him as Rabbi at first, as many did.  He told his brother He was much more than a prominent teacher, He was in fact the Messiah!  We know later that Peter took this on board, for in chapter 6v68-69 he said, when challenged “To whom shall we go, thou hast the words of eternal life?  And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ , the Son of the living God.” 

Andrew found his brother Peter, and Peter found thousands according to the later narrative.  God does not use everyone to bring the masses, and those who bring the individuals are important.  He brought him to Jesus; and when Jesus beheld him, He said, “Thou art Simon son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas”, which is by interpretation a stone.”  Here we see a glimpse of Deity, Jesus predicts Simon’s future—Thou art…thou shalt be!  He knew what he would become of him, that in His power he would be a changed man, and for the better.  

He knows what we shall all be!  The Son of God knows the future of every individual.   Here we have the first glimpse of the awesome omniscience of Jesus Christ, a theme that will run through this gospel.  It is a major bible truth, and not enough of it is considered or explained.  jesus knew that the vascillating, bubbly, brash, Simon would become the solid, dependable, apostle to the Jews, carrying huge influence in the early church, and leaving a legacy for all Christians in the epistles he wrote that have been taken into the Canon for all today.  To say He knows everything is not the same as saying He pre-determines everything.  The omniscience of Christ is a vast subject in the bible, and He knows all about us; He knows where we are, how we are, and what we shall be.  In the case of Peter His prediction was perfect, and the same for all.  Keep close to Him for He knows what will become of us all.  By His power we can be anything, and anyone, only in the will of God.  As the catchy song goes...

"Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water
Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea
Take a look at yourself, and you can look at others differently
Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee"

Next Follow me...

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"Master where dwellest thou..."

 What are you seeking?   John 1v37-39

Two of John's disciples, one named Andrew, and the other unnamed, followed Jesus at the suggestion of their teacher.  Jesus turned round and saw them following and asked a searching question, what are you seeking?  It is as if to say, you were following John, what are you seeking from me?   John the Baptist was not in the business of gathering disciples to follow him, he was all about pointing them in the direction of the Lord.  We should follow his example today.  Jesus acknowledged this and turned to those following and said “What seekest thou ”? This was not in any way to discourage them, but to have them search their motive for leaving John.  They were followers of John, and now they followed Jesus, and He wanted them to know why.  Their answer was “Rabbi,(that is teacher), where dwellest thou ?”  Was it curiosity to know where He lived, or was it deeper than that; did they wonder how He lived?  How would we answer that question, if asked by the Lord, what are you seeking?  These disciples followed Jesus as they wanted to know more about Him.  Rabbi is “learned teacher” and these men wanted more, especially at the declaration by John.  They wanted to know where He lived, they wanted to know more.  They had started on a journey that would never end.  Where does God dwell?     This is a bible theme and it has many aspects.  These men wanted to go where Jesus dwelt.  

He graciously said “Come”; it is generally agreed that this is simply an invitation.  Marvel of marvels, God invites us to draw closer.  This is the book where He speaks of “My Father’s house”-14v2.  From chapter 8v1 we learn that during His public ministry, He had nowhere to call home—“and every man went to his own house.  But Jesus went to the mount of Olives” 7v53-8v1; again He said “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have their nests but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head”—Matthew 8v20/Luke 9v58.  John takes this to a spiritual level in this gospel, He dwelt in the bosom of the Father, 1v18; He dwelt in heaven, even when on earth, 3v13; He had no home on earth, yet He dwelt in the Father’s house.  One of John’s favourite words is “abide”, by which He develops the thought of believers dwelling with God while living on earth!  Scripture has much to say about where God makes His abode:

·   Exodus 24v16 He dwelt in the glory on mount Sinai

·   Exodus 25v8   He dwelt in the midst of His redeemed people-see also 29v45-46

·   Psalm 68v5    He dwells with the fatherless and the widow

·   Isaiah 57v15  He dwells in every contrite and humble heart.

    This subject is too great for us to linger, save to say that these two disciples spent the rest of the day with God.  What effect did this have upon them?  It has been said that we live with men and visit God; Jesus teaches us to live with God and visit men.  He invited them to come, and their lives were changed.  He humbles Himself to dwell with us.  Will we be humble enough to give Him place in our hearts?                                 

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