Portraits of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Robert P. Lightner
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of consequences that would follow and came to Jesus for help indicates she was a special guest who knew the family and, more importantly, knew Jesus.
Mary’s coming to Jesus reveals she knew He could do something about the situation. Surely she was aware of John’s baptism of Jesus and the divine approval of Jesus given there. The disciples of her Son had been called and responded to follow Jesus. Mary must have known that too. Her appeal to Jesus gives evidence that she had accepted His divine authority. She believed in Him.
At first glance Jesus’ response to Mary appears to be a bit rude. He said to her, “Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come” (v. 4). In our culture one’s mother is not usually addressed in that way. But in the Middle East culture of that day Jesus’ words were not viewed as disrespectful. To the contrary, “woman” was a term of respect and affection. Jesus used the same term of His mother when He was on the cross (19:26) where He was showing love and care for her.
The response to Mary’s implied request demonstrates Jesus’ authority. No longer was He under her authority, and Joseph His adopted father is believed to have died earlier (v. 4a). Jesus had entered His public ministry at about the age of 30. He was acting on His own diviine authority now and gently reminded Mary of that and that His “hour had not yet come” (v. 4b) meaning the hour for which He came into the world, His death on the cross.
The key verse for this portrait of Jesus sums up His awesome divine authority. “His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” (v. 5). Mary obviously had complete trust in Jesus’ authority and ability to remedy the situation. She may not have known just what He would do; but she knew He could fix the problem. Her Son was not only a man but was at the same time also God. How awesome!
Close by, were 6 large stone waterpots or jars. These were used usually for the Jewish custom of purification and so held washing water (v. 6). They each held between 20 or 30 gallons of water according to our measurements. The Law of Moses and some traditions under which the people lived required various cleansings. Most likely the reference to “Jews” here refers to the Jewish leaders.
The command of Jesus was clear enough: “Fill the waterpots with water” (v. 7). But the question of why this was to be done surely must have puzzled them. In response to what Mary told them, they followed the orders. Since Jesus told them to do it, they must have respected Him and His right to make the demand.
No sooner than they filled the jars, Jesus must have surprised them with another command. Give some to the “headwaiter,” He told them (v. 8). And they again did as they were told but were probably a bit hesitant. The “headwaiter” was the one in charge of the banquet who tasted the food and drink before they were served to the invited guests. After he tasted the miracle-wine, he called for the bridegroom. “You have kept the best until last,” the headwaiter told him. This was a compliment since often the poorest wine was kept back for serving last (v. 10). There is no reason to read into the words of the headwaiter that he meant the guests were nearly drunk at that time. Jesus certainly would not have sanctioned drunkenness by providing wine for the guests. His miracle-wine would not have made them drunk in the first place.
Imagine it, what normally took much work and a long period of time, Jesus accomplished instantly by His creative power. Much time and effort have been spent in argumentation whether the wine Jesus produced was fermented or not. There are two kinds of wines referred to in the Bible. One was alcoholic and the other nonalcoholic which was made from fruit juices. I believe we can be sure Jesus did not create an intoxicating wine. I like to refer to the wine Jesus made as miracle-wine.
As far as the disciples with Him were concerned, Jesus “manifested His glory,” or His divine Sonship. He demonstrated His authority and they believed in Him (v. 11).
Jesus’ Authority in the Temple, vv. 12–25
From Cana where Jesus demonstrated His authority by turning water into wine, He, His mother, brothers and disciples went to Capernaum on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee. They spent a few days there and then He and the disciples went to Jerusalem for the Passover observance. This was one of the national feasts of the Jews. It was in memory of their miraculous deliverance from Egypt and Pharaoh’s cruel hand.
There in the temple Jesus found what had become a sacrilegious use of the outer court of the temple. This area had been set aside for the convenience of the many who came from far away. They normally did not bring their animals along for sacrifice, and they had to purchase the animals there. Also, they brought foreign currency and needed to exchange it for the Jewish shekels since foreign currency could not be used in the temple.
Over a period of time, those who sold the animals for sacrifice and those who exchanged money found what they were doing to be very lucrative business. What started out to be a necessary service in the temple court had become a loud, boisterous, bargaining, competitive, money-making racket.
When Jesus, therefore, drove the money-changers and merchants out and overthrew their tables, He did so because His “Father’s house had been made a house of merchandise” (v. 16). Jesus was not opposed to the original intent in providing for those who came from distant lands. What He was opposed to was the greed and materialism with which the business was conducted. Such behavior was totally inconsistent with the purpose for which the Passover was established.
Three responses resulted from Jesus’ display of His authority in the temple. The first was from the Jewish leaders. What right, by what authority, do you do this, they asked Him. Remember these were His critics who demanded an explanation. They wanted a sign, a miracle, to prove to them that Jesus was who He claimed to be, God the Father’s Son, the Messiah. He did say the temple was His Father’s house as He chased the merchants out (v. 16).
The answer Jesus gave to the Jews was not understood by them. He said, “you want a sign, here is the sign I’ll give you to prove my authority. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (v. 19). He was referring to His own death at their hands and His bodily resurrection at God’s hand. All they could think of was how long it had taken to build their temple—“forty-six years,” they said (v. 20).
The second response was from the disciples. They did not seem to understand at the time what Jesus meant either. But when Jesus was actually bodily raised from the dead and they not only looked into the empty tomb, but they also walked, talked, and even ate with Him in His resurrection body, then they understood. This post-resurrection experience reminded them what Jesus had said when asked for a sign of His authority.
There was a third response to the demonstration of Jesus’ authority in the temple. It came from some of the people who had witnessed Jesus’ miraculous power displayed before their very eyes. Most likely, not everyone who claimed to believe in Him did so sincerely and for the right reason. Jesus knew then, and He has known ever since to this very hour, who has genuinely trusted Him and who has not.
Personal Application
What lessons can we learn from this portrait of Jesus as the One with divine authority? How can we apply these things to ourselves? Here are a couple of suggestions: (1) Jesus alone has the authority, the power, to save sinners and who of us is not one? He does not force anyone to accept Him as their Substitute for sin. He and His saving authority must be received by faith and (2) Jesus also wants to be on the throne of our lives. He wants authority over us. That means we need to surrender to His control. Someone is on the throne of everyone’s life. Either we are or God is. Jesus longs to be not only our Savior but also our Lord.
Study Questions
1. How did Jesus show His divine authority at the wedding?
2. What role did Mary His mother have in His demonstration of authority?
3. Why do you think Jesus was so willing to demonstrate His authority so early in His public ministry?
4. What exactly was the problem in the temple experience?
5. There were three responses to what Jesus did in the temple. What were they?
6. What are some ways you can allow Jesus to be more in control of your life?