John's Story 2:1-11

What if Jesus had offered no signs of His divinity and intent? That is, what if all the way up to the cross and resurrection (the greatest sign) Christ had taught, gathered disciples and crowds, travelled about and spent time explaining the Scriptures but offered no miraculous sign?

If there were no signs would Jesus' world have responded to Him the way it (they) did?

I like the hypothetical question because it causes us to all the more dig into the miracles Jesus performs, the very signs John preserves in his narrative, and attempt to understand them in their original context. Many skeptically dismiss these signs as later fabrications of the authors and future copyists.

But if we're founding our understanding of Christ on the very letters of the Apostles and closest disciples...skepticism is born out of our own understanding of the authors intent and not the content itself..

Text / John 2:1-11

'When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."'

'"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."...Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.'

Let's dissect this mysterious little interaction a bit. Let's start with Mary's comment:

1. Is this a question or statement? Is she in turn asking Jesus to act on this embarrassing social mishap or simply pointing out it's occurrence?
2. Does Mary desire Jesus to simply make a spiritually charged speech and smooth over the situation?
3. Is she upset that He brought so many of His own guests to the wedding (disciples) who in turn drank more wine than was anticipated?
4. Is she fully aware of His ability to perform miraculous feats through experience and eyewitness? Or simply due to the divine promises she is fully aware are bestowed on His life.

Some thoughts on the above:

1. Comment or Question: It's obvious by Jesus' response that He believed Mary was asking Him to act in some fashion, which He does.
2. Speech: Seeing how Jesus had been teaching publicly up to this point it wouldn't make sense for Him to proclaim that His "time had not yet come."
3. Disciples: Nope. It would not have been odd to have the number of guests fluctuate throughout the week long celebration.
4. Yes, Mary was fully aware of Jesus' divine nature as it would be hard to forget the miraculous virgin birth, the angelic visits and the like. However, did she experience these miracles during His childhood?
• In :11 John notes that this was Jesus' first miraculous sign. Is this the first miracle period or His first public sign of His glory?
• If Jesus had been performing miracles up to this point John had no reason to note this 'first' sign - especially such a backwoods and private one such as this.
• Personally I wonder what happened to Joseph, Mary's husband. Most theologians assume his death in Jesus' childhood (after his half bro's and sisters were born) which leads to me to question why Jesus wouldn't have miraculously spared him at that point - this is total conjecture, we simply know very little about Jesus' childhood and Joseph.
• "Do whatever he tells you" as an imperative statement by Mary leads us to believe she knew and expected Jesus to physically produce a response to her comment.

What about Jesus' response:
Part One "Dear woman, why do you involve me?"

Rewritten: "Woman, what is to you to me"

• "woman' was a term of endearment or respect (do not think our Western sense)
• "what is to you to me" - some teachers and commentators note the odd form of this statement as it's recorded in the Greek. there is general agreement that it's a strange way to invoke to idea of: "dear mother, what matters to you also matters to me..."

What I appreciate about this latter translation is the compassion and respect apparent in the text as opposed to the NIV translation above which tends to make Jesus sound bothered by His mothers request, annoyed even.

When this compassionate translation is coupled with His next statement we are opened up to a pretty cool tension in the life of Christ.

Part Two "My hour has not yet come" - stated again in: 7:30, 8:20, 12:23, 27, 13:1, 17:1

This statement clues us into the reality that Jesus knew His plan and purpose all along and wasn't left to the whims of culture or a distant God - instead He was living on purpose to the cross.

Put together these two statements present the tension between Jesus' physical nature and His divine nature - this hypostatic union 100% man / 100% God. What's more they demonstrate for us the honor and unity involved in interaction with men and with God the Father.

1. Jesus, knowing His purpose and the time table involved sought to honor God by quietly glorifying Him through this simply miracle in the kitchen of a wedding.
2. Jesus, showing love for His mother honored her request, that which was important to her, by fulfilling the tasked sought after and doing so without major publication regarding His "hour."

Key Points:

This first miracle: (:11)

• revealed His glory to the disciples, Mary once again, servants taking part
• fostered formative seeds of faith for His disciples

Johns use of Jesus' miracles as signs had the effect of:

1. glorifying God
2. developing faith in His disciples
3. demonstrating fulfilled prophecy
4. expressing Jesus divine nature as the Son of God, the Messiah

As I was reading this chapter a subsequent thought came to light. Think about the host of the wedding, the parents, the other guests and the married couple. Out of nowhere this incredible wine appears near the end of the bash surprising them all. Each one of them partakes in this mysterious gift and goes on enjoying one another.

Meanwhile, in the backroom, Jesus and the servants are uniting to complete this miracle. The servants do what they can (bring the water), and Jesus does what only He can (change the water into wine). They unite to do the work of the Father. A fitting analogy to our current role as disciples. We do what we gifted and able to and the Spirit on behalf of the Lord completes our work (His work) through us.

Back to the guests. Like most of the world, the guests are experiencing the fruit of Jesus' work without knowing Him nor giving Him due credit. We live and breath because He holds all together (Colossians 1) just as the party continued on because Jesus honorably and divinely acted.


Question

• How does this story of the first miracle impact your own faith in Christ?
• How might your investigation into Christ's claims of divinity be furthered because of this passage?
• As a result of seeing Christ work such a seemingly small miracle how might you view your own role in His Kingdom? Is there any act of service too small to be worthwhile?
• How might you respond and act here and now?

Later this week we'll discuss the next part of Chapter 2 - the first public display of Jesus' Divine Authority.

Comments and textual ideas taken from: John by E. Towns, Jewish New Testament Commentary, John MacArthur Study on John, Dennis McCallum sermon on John 2

John's Story 1:19-51

What makes for a good testimony? What are the qualities of a good witness, someone sharing their account of an event, like a witness on the stand.

Google 'How to be a good witness' and you'll find many courthouse pages dedicated to tips on testifying: tell the truth (I suppose it's worth stating) - be calm and take your time - be clear and concise - provide the facts - be yourself etc.

The above having mainly to do with presentation there are other qualities in the make-up of a witness: first hand experience (see, feel, hear) - a willing participant of the event (personal investment) - a real-time antagonist to the event - multiple interactions / opportunities to witness - nature of the circumstances (stressful, threatening, fast-paced, inviting) - familiarity with surroundings, culture, time and space, language etc. - corroboration with another source (person, history, like events, character etc).


Text / John 1:19-51

Johns Story begins with a series of testimonials about Jesus:

1. John the Baptizer - :23, 26-27 one coming after / :29-31, 36 Lamb of God to be revealed / :32 Spirit descends on Jesus / :34 I have seen and I testify
2. Holy Spirit - :32-34 Holy Spirit displays Jesus' divine role
3. OT Prophecy - Isaiah 40 along with other passages and types there was a general anticipation for the return of a mighty king, a Savior
4. Jesus - :51 regarding Himself as the very Son of Man (a title after that of the prophets like Jeremiah)
5. Andrew - :39 spent time with Jesus / :41 'We have found the Messiah'
6. Philip - :45 'We have found the Moses wrote about...whom the prophets also wrote...' - recalling OT expectations from reliable men / :45 'Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph' - lineage and hometown, verifiable information
7. Nathaniel - skeptical at first (what divine being could come from such a depressed town?) / :49 Rabbi (teacher), Son of God, King of Israel.
8. Priests and Levites - :19-25 these men confirmed John the Baptists anointing though didn't know how to title him (later they will do the same to Jesus)
9. John the Apostle / Author - believed to be one of John the Baptists disciples and then Jesus' disciple / :35 he is one of the two disciples with John / he is both an eyewitness over the span of Jesus' and John's ministries as well as one with personal resources and relationships to account for his Gospel.

Look at that list! If you had been a part of the original audience of John's letter you would have been left without doubt about his testimony of Christ through the words and actions of all these characters and sources. His clarity about the events, his trustworthy character, his experience, his articulation etc. Everything accepted as true and genuine good news (Gospel).

Do we now doubt simply because of the span of time and culture from the original writing? NO, but we will have to work harder to understand the cultural, spiritual and language differences - we have to investigate just as the 12 did! Just as we all do with anything that's important to us or to those we care about, or even to our pesonal well being politically, socially and economically. We investigate.


Key Points

Investigation: 'Come and see' was the approach of Jesus before the eventual call to follow as a steadfast disciple. Jesus invited them to investigate His reality - this is a great model for us as disciplemakers in His image. Personal invitations to others to come and investigate Jesus through our own lives.

Notice two key aspects of Andrews investigation:

• first follows (invited to come and see)
• then invites (shares his findings with those close to him, Cephas)

Q. What did / does your Gospel investigation look like? Are you seeking Christ directly or are you seeking around Christ?

Our culture is enamored with mysterious Eastern religions which appear culturally pure (un-Westernized / commercialized), sexy, personal etc. Simultaneously we tend to think we know about Christianity, we know who Christ is and so the mystery is gone, the apparent sexiness of Christianity is lost in all the American tradition, hymns, cheesy road signs and bake sales.

Where has the investigation gone in evangelism / discipleship? The personal 'come and see'? The follow me as I follow Christ and see for yourself.

Exodus: Note the 'Lamb of God' reference to Exodus 12 - the role of the Messiah coming to eliminate sin / Savior freeing the people from their bondage to sin (world)

John / Elijah: There was an expectation that Elijah would return pre-Christ (since he did not die 2 Kings 2:11) and so many assumed John the Baptist was this Elijah though he denied it:

• Matthew 11:14 / Jesus note John as one like Elijah or is 'the' Elijah of this time and place
• Luke 1:17 / John came in the spirit and power of Elijah

Humility: John was amazingly humble for a man with such divine and social power.

Titles: In this chapter we see many titles of Jesus introduced.

1. Lamb of God
2. Son of God
3. Son of Man
4. Rabbi
5. Messiah
6. Prophet (of Moses)
7. Jesus of Nazareth / son of Joseph

Question
Is Jesus who he claimed to be? Is He whom his contemporaries claimed Him to be?

So what does your testimony look, sound and feel like? How are you confessing, testifying and modelling an actual witness to the power of the Christ?

• are we confident and calm in our gracious proclamation?
• do we know the Scriptures, the very source of our ongoing witness?
• how does the Spirit interact with you and about you in real time?
• how does your present walk with Christ testify against your past? Is there a difference?
• who are you inviting to 'come and see'?
• who is in your inner circle of friends, family, neighbors and co-workers that you might invite to investigate alongside you and your local Body?
• are you a disciple or part of the questioning crowd?

John's Story 1:1-18

Through the next season of life I'll be coursing through Johns Story of Christ with a group and as we go I'll be highlighting key points of the Text as well as those things that grab us in general conversation about Christ and His life.

This isn't meant to be a holistic study of every facet of Johns Letter nor a developed commentary but a developing conversation on the fourth Gospel. I'll attempt to note other sources both when necessary and when I simply remember to do so but it's safe to say that any original sounding ideas I may toss in the mix will have already been said by more brilliant men and women through history!

Thoughts on Authorship: John the Apostle. Check this out - Irenias, a disciple of Polycarp, a disciple of John testified that 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' (21:20), this very John the Apostle, is the author of the Text. Ah the power of intentional disciple-making.

Purpose of Letter: 'But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.' John 20:31


Text / John 1:1-18

Opening Themes
Jesus' Eternal nature
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God. (:1-3, 15)

Jesus' Divine nature
And the Word was God. (:1-5, 10-18)

Jesus' Saving-Relational nature
To those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. (:12-14)

Testimony to Jesus' nature
There came a man who was sent from God...He came as a witness to testify concerning [the] Light. (:6-9, 15)


Key Points / Here are a couple of points of interest on this go around in John.

First, the word 'Word' or in the Greek 'logos' - its use stirs up all sorts of thoughts and reflections on the ancient world and the authors intention. Two thoughts:

1. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus called the logos the 'ordering principle of the universe' - the 'divine logic'. He connected this logos to fire and that human reason was born of fire and word. The Stoics developed this concept onward.
2. Contemporary Jewish Targums on Genesis 1 used the Aramaic word 'memra' or speak, to denote the creative work of God as He used words to speak all of creation into existence from nothing. God spoke, life took shape.

The Jewish world was not only Roman occupied but Helenized in general. The Greco-Roman way of life and thought was everywhere and influencing nearly every aspect of life. For John to utilize this simple word 'logos', which carried such profound implications for his mixed audience, he must have chosen his own words very intentionally (even being carried along by the Spirit in the process 2 Peter 1:19-21).

Second, 'To those who believed in His name.' Not of natural descent, human decision or mans will but belief alone in Christ as Messiah is the key to invitation into Gods family (read 1:13).

1. What are some major implications in various systems of thought and belief as it pertains to salvation?
2. Who decides who becomes a child of God, a co-heir to the throne? Do we ourselves decide to follow Christ? Do our parents decide for us as a 'family religion'? Do we marry into Gods family or birth into it? Does God reach down and open our hearts and minds to Him or do we truly stumble across Him in our own desperate time?
3. Is the act of believing a work or is it a response?

Some thoughts and phrases taken from the Archeological Study Bible notes on John 1.

Naked Much? Probably More Than You Think

Have you ever gone streaking? My two year old in potty training does it all the time right now, it's innocent silliness...for another year at best.

In Mad City (Madison, WI) there were all sorts of public excuses to drop the formalities and go for a 5k underwear run or if I remember correctly the canoe race in your whitiest-tighties. And then your good ole fashioned streak like that guy over there. He's even casually making a call, probably checking his messages or calling his aunt who's in the hospital - normal stuff.

Let me do the classic leap to a semi-contextual spiritual point here and be the first to admit that spiritually speaking I'm a streaker.

That's right. I run around nearly every day with naught more than a pair of shoes or a belt with a sweet buckle shaped like a cross made out of fake diamonds.

To the Ephesian Church Paul laid out a pretty specific outfit for the disciple of Christ to put on daily.

'Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God s that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.' 

It's a bit awkward using myself as the main image of a spiritual streaker here with nothing more than a belt of truth on so why don't you go ahead and replace me with yourself and discern onward. Thank you.

Ever walk out of the house in the morning with nothing but a belt on? Nothing but the belt of truth draped on your hips.

Or the breastplate of righteousness...only. Like to spend time around this guy? Wearing righteousness like a bad Christmas sweater and without faith or truth to match.

What about the sandals of readiness. Sure they're beautifully ordained with the gospel of peace...but when not coupled with righteousness or a shield then I'm not sure what you're ready for.

The shield of faith is a culturally misunderstood and over politicized one. How many of us sprint out of the house in the morning with literally nothing more than a shield, even void of salvation itself, in hopes of defending Christianity from the arrows of the evil one in the culture wars? Yeah, it's like that.

Most of us are really just a bunch of naked babies running around with helmets on trying not to hurt ourselves. Let's call it what it is. We cried out to Jesus in 11th grade, strapped on our helmet, and went streaking. What do you think the likelihood is that you'll live as a dedicated and passionate disciple of Christ who makes healthy disciples if you're running around town naked alongside other naked 'brothers and sisters'?

Catch that?

A bunch of naked, immature believers who know little more than the flavor of forgiveness and freedom from sin without the belt, breastplate, sandals, shield, sword and prayer to suit up with on a daily basis. I'm sure that'll go well. Because naked people model incredible restraint and Christ-likeness around other naked people.

Some of us tend to just walk around with the Word of God as if just holding it without any other preparation or investment in the armor were necessary. A naked guy with a Bible. Not someone I want greeting my kids and I in the children's wing at a Sunday gathering with the body.

Are you naked?

Are you spiritually naked? Are you sprinting through your day with little more than a helmet and a shield while talking to grandma on the phone about kittens?

If you're a disciple of Christ then you're also an ambassador for His kingdom. Dress appropriately.

Read Ephesians 6:10-20

Manhandling OR Sharing

Is your Ministry Vision dependent on you individually to maintain its course and development?

Let me ask you this:

'if you disappeared for a year on sabbatical would you return to find the Body passionately fostering continued and innovative growth within the context of your collective vision OR deterioration, discouragement and a burden to maintain and manage your baby?'

In Scripture we find both individually empowered leaders paving the way for the Spirits work in a Body AND we also find more and more in the NT collective groups of Overseers being chosen, called and stepping up to lead the local Body as need and opportunity arises.

Whatever the context, are you singularly man-handling your vision and keeping it from: wolves, detractors, innovators, co-partners and other qualified and called leaders who might also be called to run the race alongside you in your local sphere? That may have been necessary in the beginning but as disciples are born and the body grows, is your shared top-tier Overseer leadership growing as well to form a greater more holistic vision for the Body?

What if you shared the burden?

What if Paul is right to call out a handful of leadership roles in the Church (Eph. 4 apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers) and so expect Jesus to remain the Head of the Church while these called leaders share in the work here on the ground?

What if...what if you and your APEST co-partners discerned the vision for your context and then created a platform: common purpose, language and paradigm for disciplemaking to move and breath and carry the Gospel beyond your knowledge and capacity. What if you release the vision to grow and simply personally model what your vision casts?

Are you man-handling YOUR baby OR are you fostering APEST vision while letting Jesus handle His baby?

Called & Quiet?

There's a new/old tension in the Western Church lately regarding the form and quality of discipleship. A tension in philosophy where on the one hand every disciple is called and gifted to be engaged in incarnational mission while on the other appropriate Christian programming within the church is the focus and scope of discipleship.

Missional communities or small groups?

1x1 disciple making and multiplication or classroom Bible study?

Between Matthew 28:18-20 'Go and make disciples,' and 1 Thess. 4:11-12 'Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.'

There is a real tension, a real division in thought and practice between a local body that sees every individual actually doing the work of ministry as one united body AND a local church whose overseers do the work and invite the body to come and see.

The problem is that Jesus' call to make disciples (Matt 28) is not a different call from Paul's later challenge to live quietly (1 Thess. 4). That while there might be tension built into these dueling passages there's unity of mission. Even where there is a difference of interpretation there is no less a call to fulfill both.

Go & Do: We're familiar with the charge of Christ to go and make disciples of all nations. And we're familiar with the subsequent disciple making movement in Acts. We may even be familiar with the reality that in the following three hundred years after Christ much of the Middle East and most of Europe had converted to Christianity. So the rhythm of personally proclaiming Christ and then personally teaching others to obey His commands = making disciples, may be radical to us but it's not new territory.

But this isn't separate from Paul's charge to aspire to a humble and quiet life. To work diligently with our hands and win over outsiders. What's the context? Is there a reason for this intentionally mild-mannered challenge in light of Jesus' radical call? Probably.

Stay & Be: The Thessalonians turned from their idols to Christ in such a way that they became a model to all of Macedonia and Achaia (1:7). Their faith had become known everywhere (1:8). Despite severe suffering they were infused by the Holy Spirit to endure and so imitate Jesus (1:6). They abandoned their temples, discarded their false teachings, dropped out of trades and unions devoted to false gods and were most likely denied access to many social functions. Culture felt the impact.

Paul thanks God for their 'work produced by faith' - 'labor prompted by love' - 'endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ' (1:2-3)

Even their brotherly love is so extravagant that Paul notes their understanding and lifestyle of love has been directly taught by God and felt all over the countryside (4:9). Paul even urges them to demonstrate it more and more (:10). It's as if the humble and quiet life he goes on to cherish is full of persecution, hard work both in the use of their spiritual gifts and their vocation, a genuine labor of love-lifestyle towards all brothers and sisters and an endurance through all things for the sake of Christ!

Apparently this joyful (5:16), prayerful (5:17), thankful (5:18), zealous (5:19), faithful (5:20), discerning (5:21), aware (5:22) quiet and humble lifestyle is exactly what Jesus meant when He prayed for future generations of disciples on mission (John 17) and then called His own disciples to go and make disciples until the whole world knows of His love.

So, where is this tension? It's not in the Biblical call to make disciples. It's not in a lifestyle that demonstrates His Truth wholly. Where is it?

The tension arises in two places (actually more but I'm writing here and this is all I want to cover):

1. General & Specific Fears
2. Misunderstanding of Gifts / Personality

Fear: We fear all sorts of things but typically we don't live this lifestyle because we're scared. I won't go into detail on this point, if you fear anything or anyone other than God and His divine power then submit and move forward.

Misunderstandings of gifts and personality: We generally agree that the spiritual gifts are given to serve the body and entice the non-believers to Gods grace - but personality is a messy and subjective discussion. That our personalities are given by God and shaped by our circumstances is an important piece of who we are and how the Lord calls us.

I wonder if it isn't within a deeper understanding of our personalities that our humble and quiet life is better discerned. Yes, our culture will shape how the Gospel is lived out and communicated, but so will our personalities. That two very different disciples both with the gift of teaching may very well utilize this gift in very different capacities - one on a stage and the other in a living room.

My wife and are both quite introverted and yet her form of quiet yet intentional living quite naturally looks different than mine and often we're tweaking and shaping and challenging and sacrificing what that means within our household and ministry.

Living quietly and working diligently will be different in different towns, homes and local churches - yet the work of making disciples will always be laborious, faithful and self-sacrificial work requiring perseverance and wrought with forms of persecution.

Who are you in Christ and who are you called to connect with intentionally yet humbly?

Word of Beard

To the saints who are faithful in Christ Jesus everywhere - you are loved on purpose.

Grace. Peace. (1:2)
Blessed. Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (1:3)
He chose us. Holy. Blameless. Love. (1:4)
Adoption. Good pleasure. (1:5)
Grace bestowed on us. (1:6)
Redemption. Forgiveness. Riches of his grace. (1:7)
Abound. All wisdom and insight. (1:8)
Making known. Good pleasure. Purposed. (1:9)
Bring together on earth and heaven. (1:10)
Chosen. Purpose. Works all things. (1:11)
Hoped. Praise of his glory. (1:12)
Gospel. Salvation. Sealed. Promised Holy Spirit. (1:13)
Inheritance. Redemption. (1:14)

In these 14 verses of Paul's letter to the Church surrounding Ephesus he overwhelms us with the overflow of the Lords character - He floods with His intentional and gracious love for us. Crazy!

Seriously. Just read through the list above describing what God, through the life of Christ, offers us.

Not only that but all with preemptive purpose and design. Catch that? It's actually been Gods will from before the beginning of time to pull us into His vision of eternity. Check this out:

Chose us before the foundation of the world. (1:4)
Predestined. Through Christ. Good pleasure of his will. (1:5)
Praise and glory of his grace. (1:6)
He caused to abound to us. (1:8)
Making known to us the mystery of his will. According to his good pleasure. Purposed in him. (1:9)
Fullness of times. Bring together in Christ. (1:10)
Chosen. Predestined. Purpose of the One. Works all things according to his will. (1:11)
Promised Holy Spirit. (1:13)

It's not chaos and condemnation that propels the Creator onward in purpose and mission. It isn't anger and distance and disillusion. No.

From eternity past the Father, the Son and the Spirit have found nothing but pleasure in fostering and securing redemption for us. Through the eternal plan and cost of the life of Christ and the seal of the Spirit we are drawn in as heirs, adopted into the family of God the Father with love according to what pleases Him in His Holiness and Perfection.

He chose us and invites us into the divine mystery of His will.

You and I are loved. Read Ephesians 1:1-14. Read it again. Read it once again. You have been loved. You are being loved on. You will be loved forever. Now tell me that isn't just exactly what your heart truly desires?