John 3:1-21 (adapted from KJV-- in public domain)

In the early verses of this chapter, we hear the old, familiar story from Sunday School about Nicodemus and the conversation that he had with Jesus.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and in verse 1, John says that he was a member of the Jewish ruling council. We can take that to mean that he was also a member of the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus was more than aware of the miracles that Jesus was performing and he figured that these miracles must mean that Jesus had come from God.

We'll meet Nicodemus again in John 7:45-51 when Jesus is brought before the Pharisees, and again in John 19:39-42 when Nicodemus went with Joseph of Arimathea to claim the body of Jesus for burial.
 
But on a dark night, Nicodemus came to meet Jesus. It was a meeting in secret. It was a meeting with Jesus away from the crowds that followed him.

Nicodemus wanted to know more.

It was in that conversation that Jesus' metaphor met the literal language of a man searching for truth within his soul.

Jesus said, in verse 3: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus was perplexed. Did Jesus mean, you know, born again? How could a person do that? You mean, somehow get back in the womb and be born again?

Then Jesus clarified in verses 5-6: ...Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto you, "You must be born again."

Nicodemus persisted and asked how this could be.

Then Jesus said that for a smart man, he didn't know much. Well, Jesus didn't say those exact words, but he did say that since Nicodemus was a master of Israel, he ought to know these things.

And then in verse 12, Jesus said, I have told you earthly things, and you believe not. How shall you believe if I tell you of heavenly things?

Matthew Henry says this about these "heavenly things" -- ...Christ was God's Holy One, sanctified and set apart to his service in the work of redemption. His death and sufferings should be, not to him only, but to all his, the entrance to a blessed life for evermore. This event had taken place as foretold, and the apostles were witnesses. Nor did the resurrection rest upon this alone; Christ had poured upon his disciples the miraculous gifts and Divine influences, of which they witnessed the effects. Through the Saviour, the ways of life are made know; and we are encouraged to expect God's presence, and his favour for evermore. All this springs from assured belief that Jesus is the Lord, and the anointed Saviour.

Then Jesus brings the great promise from his Father to Nicodemus in verses 16-17: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

In verses 19-21, Jesus tells Nicodemus that evil men condemn themselves. Their evil deeds run through the darkness of night. They won't come into the light because their misbehavior would become more and more obvious.

And in verse 21, Jesus says: But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Discussion:

What have you done today that would make God proud of you? Hopefully, that would be a long discussion.

Who have you met today that you think God sent to cross your path? What did you do with this person?

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for sending your Son to die for my sins. I am not worthy. I can't repay the gift of salvation. All I can do is accept the gift of life everlasting and say thank you for your love.

And I bring my prayerful concerns before you and ask that you would bless me with these concerns in Jesus' name. Amen.

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John 2:1-25 (adapted from KJV, in public domain, except as noted)

This is the chapter where John tells us about Jesus' first miracle. He changed water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana. This was an important miracle for a couple of reasons. Not so much because of the appearance of alchemy -- that is, making one thing out of something else, but rather because of the importance of showing good hospitality. It would have been quite an affront for the host of a wedding feast to run out of wine. And back in those days, wedding feasts could go on for days. It was a big deal!

So it was Jesus' mother who came to him with the alert that the wine was gone.

Jesus then asked his mother why he ought to have anything to do with that; after all, he said, "My hour has not yet come."

My Concordia Study Bible says (on page 1607) that Jesus makes other similar references in this gospel:

In John 7:6-8 -- (When he has gone to the temple for the Feast of Tabernacles) Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come." NIV

John 7:30 -- Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me." At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. NIV

and John 8:20 -- He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come. NIV

Even though we have no recorded miracles up to this point in Jesus' life, perhaps his mother's concern about the host's hospitality was enough to change his mind about drawing attention to himself.

At any rate, there were 6 large clay pots nearby -- they held 20-30 gallons of water each. They were actually used to hold water for foot-washing. So he had servants fill the clay pots and then had the pots taken to the host.

Well, you know the wine was a recipe of perfection! Even one of the guests commented about the superb quality of the wine. They were surprised that the host was serving the good wine after everyone had had wine.

So when the disciples saw what Jesus did, they believed on him. (verse 11)

After they left the wedding feast, Jesus and his entourage went down to Capernaum. They stayed there for quite a few days until the Passover time came.

It was time for Jesus to go to Jerusalem. But what does he see when he gets into the temple area? There are sheep and oxen and someone selling doves as well for sacrifices on the altars.

Jesus did not want retail trade going on in the temple. He made a whip out of some cords and threw the retailers out. Then he turned over tables where they had set up shop and said, "Get this out of here and don't make my Father's house a house of merchandise."

The Jews then asked Jesus just exactly what authority he had to throw the merchandisers out and Jesus told them in verse 19-21: Jesus answered and said unto them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

Then said the Jews, "Forty and six years as this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?"

But he spake of the temple of his body. KJV

The disciples heard all this but it would not be until after Jesus was resurrected from the dead that they would recall what Jesus said this day in the temple.

From this point, Jesus began to perform miracles and draw believers unto him.

Discussion: This particular area where the merchandisers, or money changers, were selling animals for altar sacrifices just happened to be the one place in the temple where gentiles could go to pray.

Since there are no coincidences where God is concerned, what do you make of Jesus' anger at the merchandisers who had set up shop in this part of the temple? Or do you think it mattered where in the temple they put their tables out for business?

Keep in mind that this had been the way things were for many years. People often traveled a great distance to come to Jerusalem for feast days and it was a convenience for them to be able to buy their sacrificial animals in Jerusalem rather than bringing the animals with them.

What strikes you about Jesus' first miracle of making about 180 gallons of wine for the wedding feast?

He told his mother, "My time has not yet come." Do you think he is contemplating his fate, for he knew the task he had been sent to earth to accomplish.

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of your son who died for my sins and for the salvation of all mankind. As we read and study the gospel message of salvation again, I pray that you would send your Holy Spirit into my heart to rekindle my love and desire to serve you with everything I do in life. Amen.

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