Whatever He says to you, do it! John 2:1-12

John 2:1-5 starts this way

2 "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.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."

     Of these first verses I have verse 5 underlined.  Mary did not know what Jesus would do.  She understood him well enough that he would do something.  She understood that what he might ask them to do might not make sense.  They may be tempted to ignore his request.  But, Mary's directive is clear, no matter what he says to you to do, your job is to do it.  Mary had learned this by watching her son
     Two examples I can think of when God called someone to do something that they didn't understand at the time is when God called on Abraham to offer up Isaac in Genesis 22.  Also, when God told Abram to leave his homeland in Genesis 12.  Hebrews 11:8-9 makes it clear that Abram did not initially know where he was going, but took steps of faith to obey anyway.
      In Luke 2:41-52 we see one of the few stories of Jesus as boy.  He had stayed behind in Jerusalem to teach in the temple at 12 years old.  It says that he "continued to be in subjection to them" verse 51.   Up until this time when Jesus started his public ministry he was always obedient to Mary.  This statement in verse 4 is an indication not of rudeness, but that their relationship had changed.  He was no longer taking his orders from her.

     If you are a christian long enough, you realize that sometimes it doesn't appear on the surface of things that Jesus commands make sense.  Perhaps he asks you to give something up or to do a ministry you don't feel equipped for.  Perhaps he asks you to fill stone waterpots and then asks you to take some of it to the head waiter as Jesus did here.  To the servant, the water looked like water.  There is no indication that it looked different.  It seemed like an odd request.  We sometimes simply have to be obedient and realize that God has a plan in what he has called us to do, even if it doesn't make sense to us.

The result of Jesus request John 2:9-11

9 "When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."

     The worse was usually saved for last when people had already had a lot to drink and might have had enough already.  But, the wine Jesus provided was better than anything man had made.  This is indicated to be the first of His signs.  A sign pointing to Jesus as Savior and Lord.  It says that the disciples in response believed or pisteuo- to be persuaded that a thing is true, to place confidence in.  What do you place confidence in?

Lamb of God John 1:29-39

    29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  John 1:29  KJV

     Here we see John the Baptist in John 1:29-39, first specifically identify Jesus as the Lamb of God who baptizes with fire.   John identifies Jesus as
1. The lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world vs.29,36.  See also references to lamb of God in Reveleations 5:6-8, 14:1, 17:14, 19:7-10; 22:1.  The lamb of God may be a reference to Abraham's mention when he was going to the mountain to sacrifice Isaac.  Abraham said that on that mountain God would provide for himself a lamb, a sacrifice Genesis 22:8.  It is also most probably a reference to Jesus as our Passover Lamb.
     The lamb is the one who takes away the sins of the world.  The word "who takes away" bears with it both that Jesus took up the guilt of the sin of the whole world (Ex 28:38; Lev 5:1; Ezek 18:20) and also that he removed it.  The apostle John uses the universal note that he uses again in John 3:16, 4:42, 6:51).  It is the sins of the whole world or kosmos that Jesus removes. 

30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.  John 1:30 KJV

2. John identifes Jesus again as having a higher rank than him and that he existed before John. vs.30  This is not a reference to John and Jesus physical body because John was born several months before Jesus.  It is a reference to the eternal nature of Jesus as The Word of God who is eternal.  John has previously mentioned that he is not worthy to untie the sandal straps of Jesus' shoes.  The role of a servant.

31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.  John 1:31-34, KJV

3. John himself did not initially recognize Jesus as the Messiah vs.31,33 The Pharisees and Sadducees were looking for a prophet king who would save them from Rome.  John preached Jesus as the Savior of the whole world instead.  But, he only recognized him when he was baptized and the Spirit descended upon him much like a dove.  This was a sign given to John that this was the one whom was the Messiah. There are numerous references to the Spirit falling upon and resting on Jesus in Matthew 3:16-17, Isaiah 11:1-2, Isaiah 61:1; Acts 10:37-38..

John 1:14-18 The Word became Flesh

   14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

In John 1:14-18, John finally reveals that the Word which he has been talking about who was with God and was God was made flesh.  In this manner, he introduces the concept of the incarnation.  That Jesus took on flesh and dwelt among us.  The word dwelt is skenoo which means he fixed his tabernacle among us or to dwell.  The word tabernacle is important and brings to memory the tabernacle that was made in the Old Testament which was a tent or a temporary dwelling.  In this case, it was also a temporary dwelling, but it was a body made of flesh.  John says that this glory we beheld which was full of grace and truth.

15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

   John goes on to say that John the Baptist gave a testimony about Jesus.  The word "bare witness" is martyreo or one who gives testimony.  John testified about two things here and in verse 30, that he had a higher rank than John and that he also existed before John.  Even though, John's physical birth came first, John is referring to Jesus' eternal nature as a part of the Godhead.  The idea of one who comes after me erchomai has in it the idea of someone who arises or enters the stage.  By becoming incarnate, Jesus enters history and walks onto the stage of human life and reveals the nature of God to man.   He reveals the "fulness" of God because he is the exact representation of who God is (Hebrews 1:3).  Jesus said that the one who had seen him had seen the Father (John 14:9)

16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.  17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

   John goes on to mention the law and Moses in verse 17.   While by Moses the law was created and revealed, by the person of Jesus grace and truth was revealed.  Over and over again throughout scripture, it is clear that the law was imperfect and useless to save us from our sins.  Romans 8:3 says that what the law could not do, the Father did by sending us His son as an offering for sin.  The law is only a shadow (Heb 10:1) and the sacrifices the priest offers cannot save (Hebrews 10:11).  By through the grace of God, the gift of God (which is the person of Jesus) results instead of condemnation in justification (Romans 5:15,20,21).  So, now we can truly experience freedom from sin because there is now no condemnation for those in Christ (Romans 8:1).

Who Jesus is John 1:1-5

  The gospel of John begins far differently from the other three synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.  Perhaps it is because in John's day the issues were different or perhaps he is writing to specific group.  We do know that he was writing for a specific reason because he tells us what it is. In John 20:31 John tells us the reason by saying, "but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name."  Therefore, at the very beginning of his gospel John wants to make it clear to the reader who Jesus is.
    The first verse of John 1 is

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

  Much has been made about why John wrote or described Jesus in this way.  The word that is used here is the Word or logos to describe Jesus and it says that Jesus was in the beginning both with God and was God.  It does not describe his beginning, but rather says that he is the beginning.  The Bible doesn't describe the beginning of the existence of God, but simply states that he existed in the beginning.  In other words, he is both the maker of all things and yet was never created himself being God. By calling his the Word he is indicating that Jesus is the one who is both the creator and sustainer of the universe and the author of us all.  If this sounds strange, remember that in John 17:5 Jesus spoke of the glory that he had with the Father before the world began. He also affirmed that Abraham by faith saw Jesus day was glad for it (John 8:56).

   It may help to define what the beginning means.  The beginning is the word arche which means the origin, the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the active cause.  In the case of Jesus, he is the active cause or beginning of the rest of creation.   That is why he could stand up and speak to the sea and the waves and the wind and silence them with a word because he made them. (see Luke 8:24).  

   Then in verse 2-3 it says

2 "He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

   This is mentioned also in the Old Testament.  In Psalm 33:6 it says that the heavens and its hosts were made by the Word of God.  One of the implications of these verses is that man was not simply made for his or her own purposes.  That Jesus made us and is author of us all means that we are accountable to him with the life that we live.  How many people live today as though they are not accountable to anyone besides themselves.  That it is said twice in verse 3 indicates its importance to realize that literally "nothing" was created without him.

 Then John speaks of light and life in verses 4-5

 "4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

    Jesus refers to himself as the light of the world in several places in scripture John 8:12 and 9:5.  He also refers to himself as the life John 5:26 and 11:25. 
You and I do not have life in ourselves.   We are dependent on the Lord to sustain us.  Jesus had life in himself.   I have heard it said that if Jesus did not specifically say Lazarus' name before he raised him from the grave that many of the other graves around Lazarus tomb would have had deceased loved ones come out of them also.  Jesus had the authority to call into life what was dead and had authority to overcome death
    This means that Jesus is the giver of life and is also the light meaning that he reveals truth.  The light also speaks of how he overcomes darkness or evil.  John ends the beginning of his gospel prelude by saying that the darkness did not comprehend the light.  The transliterated word for comprehend it is katalambano which means to seize upon, take possession of, to detect, cath, to understand, perceive.  Evil both does not take possession of the light nor is it able to understand or perceive it.   Nor is mankind without the light which is through Jesus Christ.

the hope of his calling part 2 Ephesians 1:19-21

  18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.  Ephesians 1:18-21

  Even though I have split it up here and in the post previous, verses 18-21 should be read as a prayer.  Paul first prays for them to have insight and understanding into the hope and inheritance that they will experience.  He wants their eyes of the heart he calls it to be opened so they will understand.  I believe this should be a prayer for all of us before we read his word that God would give us understanding.  We are not to be walking around in ignorance or in the dark about who we are in Christ.
    In verses 19-21, Paul goes on to talk about God's surpassing greatness of his power.  You notice he just does not say "greatness" but add the word surpassing "hyperballo" which means transcends, surpasses, excel.  It isn't a greatness that is similiar to man's, but it transcends any other greatness.  This should be a great hope to the believer, that no matter what power may be against us, that God's power is much greater.  However great we think it is, we are not coming close to what it truly is.
     Paul says in verse 20-21, this power was demonstrated when God the Father raised up Christ from the dead.  Not only did he raise him up, but he seated him "kathizo" at the right hand of power.  That phrase seated him means more than just gave him a seat.  It means that he confers a kingdom upon him.   This seat was at a place of honor and authority like no other.  That he is not above, but far above all other rule, authority, powers or dominions that exist or will exist and has a greater name than any name ever.   This is true not only today, but will be true for forever.

the hope of His calling Ephesians 1:18

I read these words in the NASV and looked up the transliterated words for this verse in Ephesians 1:18

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

"may be enlightened" photizo- to give light, to enlighten, to give understanding to
"the hope"- elpis- expectation of good, hope, joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation
"calling" Klesis- a calling, invitation of the divine invitation to embrace the salvation of God
"Riches"- ploutos- riches, wealth, fulness, abundance
"inheritance" kleronomia- an inhertiance, what is given to one as a possession
"I pray that the eyes" - ophthalmos- the eyes of the mind, the faculty of knowing
"will know" oida- to know of anything, get knowledge of, understand and perceive
"glory" can mean judgment, opinion but also brightness, majesty, most exalted state the word is doxa

So, with these definitions in mind I rewrote the verse to say
I pray that yur faculties for knowing truth will be given understanding so that you may understand and perceive what is the confident expectation of your salvation and the invitation from God, what is the fulness and abundance of the glory of HIs inhertiance in the saints.

I wonder how many of us are walking around in the dark about the true inheritance for the saints and living in that joyful expectation of what we will one day see fully?  Or are we simply caught up in the here and now and not reflecting on what God has in store for his children.

My Grace is Sufficient

2 Corinthians 12:7-12

verses 7-9

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

    The apostle Paul had just described in verses 1-6 an experience he had where he was lifted up into Paradise.  At that time, he heard words that he describes as 'inexpressible".   Immediately after this event, God allowed Paul to experience what he called a thorn in the flesh.  The word "thorn" is the word  skolops in the greek transliterated word and it means a large stake.  This stake seems to be impaled in Paul by either physical pains or mental anguish or possibly both.  We know that Paul was often in pain from beatings and imprisonments that he received, so it is not out of the question that from those he suffered some type of ailment.  But, he was also burdened from the concerns of the church (2 Corinthians 12:21; 1 Corinthians 2:3; Hebrews 11:34).  Corinth was a church that greatly concerned him because of their immorality at times and their childishness (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).   For this concern, Paul asked three times that the Lord take this away, but he did not.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

    I'm sure Paul would of instead liked it if the Lord had simply removed the thorn.  But, to do so would not have been the best thing for Paul.  The thorn existed so that Paul would not become prideful and therefore lose out on his reward for his work or discredit the faith that he proclaimed.  While he may have felt weak when speaking for the Lord or insufficient, the Lord graciously reminded him that God's grace made him sufficient.  For God's power is strengthened when he loss of self-sufficiency and independence and depend on Him.  This is much the same thing as it says in john 15:4, that the branch cannot bear fruit unless it abides in the Vine.  Our reminders of our weakness make us lean more on God and trust in Him and in turn that turns into our very strength.
     That feeling of insufficiency and weakness may be the very thing that brings us to our knees.  We may try to do things in our own strength and ability only to find them unfulfilling and lacking.  This weakness that we feel in our self sufficiency is God way to causing us to long for Him and to seek Him.  Then he is allowed to bring out real power and glory for Himself.  It is God's way of calling out to us when we realize our own weakness that we were never meant to walk the christian life on our own strength or power in the first place.