Tag: John

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Lessons from Jesus at the Wedding in Cana (John 2:1-4)

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

(1) And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: (2) And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. (3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. (4) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee?  mine hour is not yet come. (John 2:1-4)

Explain:

And the third day…

One commentator notes that John deliberately highlights the opening week of Christ’s ministry.  Later John highlights the end of Jesus’ ministry, and here he higlights the beginning.  John’s Gospel references the first day in 1:35, the second day in 1:43, and the third day in 2:1.

…there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; 

Jewish weddings were community-wide celebrations that typically lasted seven days. The bride’s family financed the wedding itself, while the groom covered the costs of the celebration festivities. The ceremony represented the completion of the engagement period, which usually spanned several months. 

During this engagement period, the couple would be together enough that if it ended it would take a divorce.  They did not consummate the relationship until the end of the betrothal at the end of the wedding.  Remember that this is what was even said about Joseph when he considered “putting away” Mary.  (Matthew 1:18-19).

The wedding ceremony typically took place on Wednesday evening. The groom and his companions would travel to the bride’s residence, then accompany her and her attendants back to the groom’s home, where both the ceremony and feast occurred (Matthew 25:1-10). The celebration concluded with the consummation of the marriage.

So Jesus was there for a week long celebration.

and the mother of Jesus was there:

Some say that she was mentioned in such a way as to suggest she was helping to host the even with the family.

And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

They were all called to the wedding.  Suggests that they were all part of the same community.

And when they wanted wine,

Wine?  What is the nature of the wine? The wine served had been fermented, but in the ancient world they had no refrigeration, and flavoring of beverages were limited. To have a flavored drink that quenched thirst and did not make someone drunk, wine was diluted with water to a place where drunkeness would not happen. Because of a lack of water purification process, wine mixed with water was also safer to drink than water alone.

Certainly Jesus was not fostering drunkenness. Proverbs says,

[1] Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1)

Drunkenness is always condemned in the scripture. Strong drink, or unmixed drink, is condemned, except when being used in medicinal ways.  What we call “wine” today is the strong drink of the Old Testament.

the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine

Something suggested in the statement of Mary.  “They have no wine.” It seems to suggest that she thought he could do something about it. This is inferred in Jesus’ answer to her.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

There is a theme in John speaking of Jesus’ coming hour.

John 4:21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

John 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

John 5:25  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

John 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

John 7:30  Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

John 8:20  These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

John 12:23  And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

John 12:27  Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

John 13:1  Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

John 16:21  A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

John 16:32  Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

John 17:1  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

It seems clear that Jesus understood why he was on the earth, and that his hour represented the time for which he would perform the purpose for which he came. It was in his ministry, as it went public, that He revealed His identity and fulfilled His purpose.

This calling of Mary, “woman” was not a derogatory thing.  He was respecting his mother. It would be something like calling my mother, Mrs. Jennings.  It was distancing himself relationally from his mother for her concern in that moment. Mary needed to view Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, and not necessarily as her boy.   In Jesus’ mind and heart, His mission was now the priority.

Application

The scripture says that Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.   I think it is incredible to think that Jesus was on this earth, in a family, living in a village, connected to real people in community, and part of their every day life events like marriage.  He commended marriage by being there and being a blessing to this event.  He knows what its like to have a mom and dad.  He knows what its like to grow up, not only because He is God and has infinite knowledge, but because He experienced it.  As such, I can trust that what He tells me to do through His Word, and by His example is what I should do.  I should live as He compels me to live in my family, in my community, and in my time.

Response

  1. What does it mean to be like Jesus with your people, your family, your friends today?
  2. What does Jesus’ prioritizing of His purpose mean for you as an example this week?
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Nathanael and the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth (John 1:51)

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

(51) And he saith unto 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.  (John 1:51)

Explain

Do you remember Jesus’ greeting of Nathanael in verse 47?

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! (John 1:47 )

As we said earlier this week, there is a connection between what Jesus says in the greeting, and the person of Jacob.  The name Jacob means supplanter or deceiver.  Jacob’s name was changed to Israel.  So when Jesus says that Nathanael is an Israelite in whom is no guile, it may indicate that he is like Jacob without the deceit. 

In Genesis 28, Jacob had a dream.  Let’s read about it.

12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I amthe LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 

This was a repitition of the Abrahamic Covenant that was given to Jacob.  It included the promise of a land, a nation, and blessing.  Notice the last part of the promise.  “And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

What is in addition to the Abrahamic Covenant repeated and promised to the deceiver Jacob in this dream is that there is a ladder that bridges heaven and earth.  There are angels ascending and descending on this ladder.

So when he is greeted, Nathanael is likened to Jacob, yet without guile.  In the middle part of the interaction, Jesus refers to something that Nathanael experienced “under the fig tree”, which has at least reference to the Messianic promises in the Old Testament.  Now at the end Jesus refers to himself as “the Son of Man”, a messianic title, that is himself the ladder which bridges heaven and earth.  

(51) And he saith unto 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.  (John 1:51)

This ladder is referenced in regard to the Abrahamic covenant that says that all the families of the earth would be blessed through the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Jesus tells Nathanael that the greater work he would see is the Son of Man bridging heaven and earth.  

When did that happen?  It happened through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the ladder which bridges heaven and earth.  Jesus is the seed of Abraham that blesses all of the families of the earth.  Jesus is the one who will ultimately give this nation and this people the fulfillment of all of these promises.

Apply

Here we learn three critical truths.

  1. Jesus is the Messiah.
  2. Jesus is a friend of sinners.
  3. Jesus bridges heaven and earth, and blesses the nations.

Response

  1. Are you pointing to Jesus as Messiah?
  2. Is there a sin that you need to confess? Jesus is a friend of sinners, and close to the brokenhearted!
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Nathanael’s Journey: Seeing Greater Things with Christ (John 1:50)

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

(50) Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. (John 1:50)

Explain

Jesus connected with Nathanael in a prophetic, personal, and powerful way, and Nathanael believed. Jesus prophesies again saying that Nathanael would see greater things than the supernatural display of his knowledge that he had just experienced. Although we are just about to finish chapter 1 of John, we know this to be true. Nathanael would see Jesus do some incredible things.

Nathanael is only referened by name in John 1 and in John 21. In John 21, Peter goes fishing and Nathanael and some other disciples go with him. They fish all night and catch nothing. Then Jesus comes. He tells them to cast their niets on the other side, and when they do they drew a multitude of fishes. It’s at this point that they realized it was Jesus, and Nathanael along with other disciples had breakfast cooked by the resurrected Christ.

Would Nathanael see greater things than these? You better believe it!

Apply

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Here we see Nathanael commended by Jesus for putting his faith in Christ. We ought to be quick to believe the scriptures, to trust Christ, and to believe in what He can do.

Response

  1. How is your faith in Christ today? Are you trusting him?
  2. What have you seen God do in your life recently?
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Understanding Nathanael: Jesus and the Fig Tree Connection (John 1:47)

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional1 Comment

(47) Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith to him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! (48) Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. (49) Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. (John 1:47-49)

Explain

There are two interesting phrases in this text that may be true, but in some ways are conjecture.  I know what the text says happens here and I affirm it and believe it.  Yet these conjectures make sense to me based on Old Testament texts.

First, I want to note what Jesus called Nathan, “an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”

The first person named Israel was originally named Jacob, which means supplanted or deceiver.  Guile is deceit. Jesus says that Nathanael is a genuine person.  Now we know that Jesus does not think that Nathanael is perfect, and this expression does not go that far to say that he is.  What is Jesus trying to do?  He is connecting to Nathanael where he was.

Nathanael is perplexed at the expression.  How do you know me?  Jesus’s answer is interesting.  

Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 

The second phrase about being “under a fig tree” is interesting.

In Jewish tradition, particularly in rabbinic literature including the Talmud, sitting “under a fig tree” (or “under one’s vine and fig tree”) has special significance.

The phrase appears in the Old Testament where it describes a state of peace, security, and prosperity – essentially the ideal life where each person can sit peacefully under their own vine and fig tree without fear.

In rabbinic tradition, this image took on an additional meaning: studying Torah. The fig tree became associated with Torah study because:

  1. Just as a fig tree yields fruit continuously over a long season (rather than all at once), Torah study is ongoing and yields insights over time
  2. The shade of the fig tree provided an ideal, peaceful place for contemplation and learning

So when you encounter references to someone sitting “under a fig tree” in Jewish texts, it often carries this double meaning – both literal rest/prosperity and the devoted study of Torah.

But the phrase wasn’t just general.  It had a very specific messianic connotation. 

The key passage is Micah 4:1-4, which is explicitly messianic in nature. 

Micah 4:1-4

1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.

This passage describes the end of days when:

  • The mountain of the Lord’s house will be established
  • Nations will stream to it to learn God’s ways
  • God will judge between nations and they’ll beat swords into plowshares
  • 4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.” (Micah 4:4)

This imagery of sitting under one’s vine and fig tree became a standard prophetic symbol for the messianic age – a time of universal peace, security, and the reign of God’s justice.

The similar passage in Zechariah 3:10 reinforces this: 

10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree. (Zechariah 3:10)

Again in a context about the coming messianic era.  So in Jewish messianic expectation, the fig tree imagery represented:

  • The cessation of war and threat
  • Economic security and prosperity for all
  • The peaceful study of Torah
  • The fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel

This makes the New Testament reference to Nathanael “under the fig tree” even more intriguing if this is in Jesus’ thinking when he made this statement to Nathanael.  It could suggest not just that he was studying Torah, but that he was perhaps contemplating or longing for the messianic age.

Jacob (later named Israel, whose name meant deceiver, or one with guile)  had a vision of a ladder going to and from heaven.  Perhaps Nathanael had visions of a coming Messiah while he was literally  “under the fig tree”, and when Philip brought him with the claim that he had found the Messiah, Christ used that experience to connect to Nathan to his own real Messianic reality.

Whatever the case, it worked.  Look at Nathanael’s response.

49) Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Nathanael went form cynical to believing pretty quickly.  Jesus met him where he was, and proved Himself to Nathanael.  How cool is that?

Apply

My pastor friend,  Bob Butler, has influenced my thinking on this passage.  He made a statement that stuck with me about Jesus.

Every person that Jesus ever met had offended him.

Jesus never stopped being God.  He was, is, and ever will be God.  Jesus was born with no sin nature, and never sinned himself.Every sin that has ever been committed was a sin first and foremost against God.  This means that Jesus lived among sinners.  This means that Nathanael had offended Jesus.

Yet this is not where Jesus started with him.  Jesus was called “a friend of sinners.”  I am so grateful for that. He came to seek and to save that which was lost.

Jesus starts with Nathanael where he was to bring him where he needed to be.

We ought to be like Jesus in that way.  We should not start with people where we would argue.  We don’t start with people where there will be offense.  We certainly have to get there, to call out sin.  Yet loving people and connecting with people where they are is the pattern that Jesus displays for us here.

People respond to love.  Don’t ever forget that.

Respond

  1. Who can you connect to in a loving way today?  What would it take to connect with them?  
  2. Are you grateful for how Jesus came for you?  Take a few moments to describe what Christ has done for you.