When Jesus’ disciples thought about Jesus’ wild actions of cleansing the temple, believe or not, it makes them think about a poem, a song, Psalm 69. Only Psalm 22 is quoted more frequently in by the New Testament writers. That means the earliest Christians saw in Psalm 69 numerous connections to the Messiah. If youContinue reading “Two very different viewpoints on Jesus’ cleansing of the temple – John 2:12-25, Part 3”
Monthly Archives: October 2022
Why Jesus starts a stampede in church – John 2:12-25, Part 2
Imagine a scene with me as you read this post. Jesus is in Jerusalem with his disciples for the Jewish Passover Feast. The city is packed with other pilgrims, and many of them head to the temple for worship. Jesus and his disciples join the crowd. They enter the temple complex, as everyone does, firstContinue reading “Why Jesus starts a stampede in church – John 2:12-25, Part 2”
What Jesus saw at the temple that filled him with emotion – John 2:12-25, Part 1
As we begin our study of Jesus’ surprising behavior in John 2:12-25, it reminded of this video of a protestor who ran onto the field during a Rams/49ers football game. When he first jumped onto the field, carrying a smoke canister which let out pink smoke, referees blew the whistle to stop play, but theContinue reading “What Jesus saw at the temple that filled him with emotion – John 2:12-25, Part 1”
That time Jesus borrowed a move from Ezekiel’s playbook – John 2:12-25, Preview
Do you remember our blog series through the book of Ezekiel? That series began in 2021, and continued through the first half of 2022. I know. Seems so long ago, right? But try to remember with me, as there was something about Ezekiel that relates to the next episode in the life of Jesus, whichContinue reading “That time Jesus borrowed a move from Ezekiel’s playbook – John 2:12-25, Preview”
How to see God’s glory every day – John 2:1-11, Part 5
In the previous post, we read in John 2:11 that Jesus, by accomplishing the miraculous sign of transforming water into wine, showed his disciples his glory. Glory? What does that mean? Only God has that kind of glory. I highly doubt the glory the disciples saw was a shining light, a halo, a glow orContinue reading “How to see God’s glory every day – John 2:1-11, Part 5”
Three things Jesus’ disciples saw when they observed him – John 2:1-11, Part 4
What do you see when you see Jesus? When you read the stories about his life, or maybe watch a dramatic presentation of the Gospels, what do you notice about Jesus? Perhaps the best place to get information about Jesus is from the people who were eyewitnesses of his life. His disciples walked with JesusContinue reading “Three things Jesus’ disciples saw when they observed him – John 2:1-11, Part 4”
The how, when and who of Jesus’ miracle changing water into wine – John 2:1-11, Part 3
How did Jesus change the water into wine? When did he do it? Who saw it? Let’s try to find out. Look at John 2, verses 6-10. The details in the Gospel of John are somewhat scant, aren’t they? Jesus follows his mom’s lead, tells the servants to fill some large jars with water andContinue reading “The how, when and who of Jesus’ miracle changing water into wine – John 2:1-11, Part 3”
Jesus’ fascinating relationship with his mom – John 2:1-11, Part 2
What images do you think of when think of Jesus and his mom, Mary? The young Mary holding the newborn Jesus? That scene is probably the most famous of all the Bible stories involving Mary and Jesus. But they had 30 years together after that scene. 30 years in which they probably saw each otherContinue reading “Jesus’ fascinating relationship with his mom – John 2:1-11, Part 2”
Who Jesus and his followers might look like if they would have lived today – John 2:1-11, Part 1
Have you ever wondered what Jesus might look like if he would have been born into our day and age? Imagine what he might have been if Jesus were an American in 2022. Then ask yourself, what would his disciples be like? What would their jobs be? There are so many kinds of people inContinue reading “Who Jesus and his followers might look like if they would have lived today – John 2:1-11, Part 1”
Who is Jesus, really? – John 2:1-11, Preview
This past week I put the following message on our church’s outdoor sign: “Who is Jesus really? Join us Sundays 9am to find out.” I placed that message hoping to spark interest in the community about our sermon series through the Gospel of John. Likewise, I hung a banner and sign in our lobby. ItContinue reading “Who is Jesus, really? – John 2:1-11, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 