JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE

Read: John 2:13–21; Mark 11:15–19

     "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" Mark 11:17 NIV

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     On these two different occasions–at the beginning and end of His ministry– we are told that Jesus physically exhibited anger. The Jews had turned the temple into a market place, carrying on dishonest business in a house of worship. In anger, Jesus drove the merchants out of His Father's house.
     The Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." (John 2:18–19) The temple He spoke of was His body, which they would seek to destroy on the cross.

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     Although our churches today are not the same as the Jewish temple, we should still honor them as places of worship. Most of all, as believers, we should remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

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     Lord, I want to take good care of the body You have given me and dedicate it for the purpose of glorifying You. Help me to avoid anything that would compromise that purpose.

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      After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. John 2:22 NIV

THE FIRST MIRACLE

THE WEDDING AT CANA

Read John 2:1–11

     "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."  John 2:4–5 NIV

     Once again, Mary's soul is pierced. When Jesus was twelve, she wasn't quite ready for him to be teaching in the temple, but now that He's thirty, she must be wondering when He is going to reveal His identity as the promised Messiah.  

     On both occasions Jesus gave her a soft rebuke. At twelve he said; "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. (Luke 2:49–50) At thirty, he says, “Dear woman, why do you involve me?…My time has not yet come” (John 2:4)
     Mary realized once again that she must quietly wait on God for His perfect timing—In fact, it was time to begin his earthly ministry, and Jesus honored his mother by performing his first public miracle at her request.

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     Lord, Mary is such a wonderful example of humility and love. I want to be a patient, loving mother who knows when to speak and when to be silent. I also want to wait on You to work out Your perfect plan for our family and each individual family member.

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     This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.    John 2:11 NKJV