John 2 - Every Man's Bible

2:1-12  Jesus was at a wedding celebration with family and friends when the wine ran out. So Jesus turned the water from six stone water jars into enough wine for the rest of the celebration. This abundance of wine might seem dangerous to some. But one truth should be encouraging for us all: Jesus wanted the people at this wedding to have a good time. Even though his life’s mission was a very sobering one, he valued the joy of people at a wedding feast. God wants us to live joyful lives as well. He may call us to do some painful things in the process of life, but his ultimate goal for us is a life filled with joy.

2:13-16  Jesus was angry at those who turned the Temple courts into a marketplace of unjust profit. People were forced to buy “approved” sacrificial animals at exorbitant prices. They also were required to exchange their currency for Temple currency at inflated rates. Jesus cleared the Temple with a whip to demonstrate God’s anger at those who abused the public trust and mocked holy worship. Anger that is measured and authorized by God’s purposes is justified. Sometimes this kind of righteous anger can play an important role in God’s plan.

2:17-25  Those who witnessed Jesus’ actions and words had to choose between belief and unbelief. Our choice, like that of the Jewish leaders, is to accept or reject what Jesus’ actions indicate about his mission and authority. Was he just a fascinating man who did amazing deeds? Was he just a good teacher with an interesting message? Was he a madman with delusions of grandeur? Or was Jesus actually God, who came to live among us? According to the Bible, Jesus is God, and he has the power to offer us a new life. The disciples discovered this truth and were transformed into some of the greatest leaders of their day. God has the power to do the same for us.