Day 2: Parties and Prophets (John 2)
Hey everyone, it’s great to be back with you all! Yesterday’s response to our look at John 1 was amazing – your comments and prayers really warmed my heart.
Today, we’re diving into John 2, where Jesus does something incredible: he turns water into wine at a wedding. It’s a powerful moment that shows Jesus bringing joy to a special occasion.
Later in the chapter, Jesus gets passionate about God’s house and clears out some merchants. It’s a reminder that Jesus is serious about honoring God.
As we read today, let’s think about how we can honor God in our own lives. And let’s ask for His help to deepen our faith and understanding as we journey through the Gospel of John.
PRAYER
“God, help us honor you in all we do. Guide us as we read your Word and deepen our faith. Amen.”
John 2 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSV)
The Wedding at Cana
2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to me and to you?[a] My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the person in charge of the banquet.” So they took it. 9 When the person in charge tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), that person called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples, and they remained there a few days.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, with the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22 After 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.
23 When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to testify about anyone, for he himself knew what was in everyone.
A PASTORAL NOTE
This starts with one of those stories that stick with you: Jesus turning water into wine. It’s kind of an unexpected miracle, isn’t it? I mean, we’re used to hearing about Jesus healing the sick and casting out demons. But starting off with a “social miracle” like this feels like watching a “behind the scenes” special.
Now, you might be tempted to dissect every detail of this story, like what the water symbolizes or the significance of the word “bridegroom.” But sometimes, we can overanalyze things and miss the bigger picture. The Bible actually spells it out for us: Jesus performed this miracle to reveal his glory and strengthen the faith of his disciples (John 2:11).
It’s easy to get lost in theological rabbit holes, but God hasn’t made the truth hard to find – sometimes, you just need to take it at face value.
Reflection & Application
After reading today’s passage, take a moment to think: Does it change how you see Jesus? Do you sometimes forget to enjoy life, forgetting that God brings joy and fulfillment? Or do you act like those merchants in the temple, not caring about how your actions reflect on God?
Remember to respect God, but also ask yourself: Am I living in line with what God wants, or am I only thinking about myself? Am I seeking joy from God, or am I looking for it in worldly things?
Apprenticeship Questions
What is God saying to me from this passage? What is standing out?
What is God inviting me to do in response? How can I take a small step in following Jesus in this way this week?
Who am I prompted to share this challenge with? Sharing is part of how we apprentice to Jesus. Invite a friend to join you each day for a morning coffee and conversation about God.