Sunday, April 20 – John 2, 3 – Additional Reading: The Desire of Ages, chapters 15–17
1. How was the wine that resulted from Jesus’ miracle? John 2:9
2. Why did Jesus not entrust Himself to man? John 2:24–25
3. What is the supreme demonstration of God’s love? John 3:16
It is beautiful and significant that Jesus performed the first miracle of His ministry at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It was a relative’s wedding, and Mary, Jesus, and some of His disciples were there.
Ellen G. White writes: “Jesus did not begin His ministry by some great work before the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. At a household gathering in a little Galilean village His power was put forth to add to the joy of a wedding feast. Thus He showed His sympathy with men, and His desire to minister to their happiness.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 111)
His presence and first miracle reveal God’s approval of marriage, His sympathy for human relationships and celebrations, His desire to bless, and His divine ability to do so.
Regarding Jesus’ reply to His mother, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come,” when she told Him they had no wine, The Desire of Ages explains: “This answer, abrupt as it seems to us, expressed no coldness or discourtesy. The Saviour’s form of address to His mother was in accordance with Oriental custom.” (DA, p. 112).
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary adds: “That Mary did not understand Jesus’ reply as a refusal is evident from her instructions to the servants (see John 2:5). She was satisfied that Jesus would supply the need in His own good time and way.” (SDABC, John 2:4).
Her statement, “Whatever He says to you, do it,” teaches us that deliberate and attentive obedience is the answer to life’s dilemmas.
When we face unexpected problems or scarcity due to poor planning, we should remember her words.
When we invite Jesus into our celebrations, make Him part of important life moments, trust His instructions, even when they don’t make sense, and bring our needs before Him, we will find He turns our water into wine. His provision is always better and sweeter than what we can produce by our means.
On the cleansing of the temple (John 2:13–22), the SDA Bible Commentary notes: “This was Jesus’ First Cleansing of the Temple, His first act of national importance. By it He declared His right to administer the affairs of the Temple and announced His mission as the Messiah. The second cleansing occurred three years later, at the fourth Passover (see pp. 193, 247; see The Duration of Christ’s Ministry; see on Matt. 21:12–17) as a reminder that His claim was still valid.” (SDABC, John 2:14)
Jesus’ words, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” do not forbid all selling on temple grounds, only that done for personal gain. It is also not God’s will for the church to rely on such sales instead of faithful stewardship.
Ellen White writes: “As Jesus came into the temple, He took in the whole scene. He saw the unfair transactions. He saw the distress of the poor, who thought that without shedding of blood there would be no forgiveness for their sins. He saw the outer court of His temple converted into a place of unholy traffic. The sacred enclosure had become one vast exchange.” (DA, p. 122)
In John 3, we read about Jesus’ night conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin. This encounter teaches us that salvation cannot be obtained through religious profession alone. A total transformation by the Holy Spirit is required to see the kingdom of God.
Ellen White explains: “The Christian’s life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit.” (DA, p. 172).
Let us allow the Holy Spirit to accomplish His transforming work in us.
Have a blessed day.