What Jesus Did

It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers' coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, "Get these things...

 

After the wedding [Jesus] went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.

—John 2:12 NLT

Key Thought
Ministry can be euphoric. Ministry can be discouraging. Ministry can be dangerous. In fact, the euphoria can be more dangerous than the discouragement. Many of God's greatest servants faltered in times of victory and success. Jesus, however, frequently gets away from the mayhem of the masses. Regularly he gets away for time to be alone with God...

 

When the master of ceremonies [at the wedding celebration] tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. "A host always serves the best wine first," he said. "Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!" This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed...

 

But [Jesus'] mother told the servants [at a wedding celebration], "Do whatever he tells you." Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, "Fill the jars with water." When the jars had been filled, he said, "Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies." So the servants followed his instructions.

—John 2:5-8 NLT

Key Thought
"Do whatever he tells you,"...

 

The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus' mother told him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, that's not our problem," Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."

—John 2:3-4 NLT

Key Thought
As the old saying goes, "Timing is everything!" Deliver the punch line of a joke without enough pause, or too much pause, and the joke falls flat. Rush your proposal for marriage, and you may not be taken seriously. Apply for a job at the wrong time, and you won't be hired...

 

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.

—John 2:1-2 NLT

Key Thought
While we sometimes forget it or even doubt it, God is always present. He joins us in our everyday lives and accompanies us on all of our daily wanderings. He is with us every step of the way. Jesus reminds us of this truth in his ministry when he goes to fancy events at important times...

 

Jesus asked [Nathanael], "Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." Then he said, "I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth."

—John 1:50-51 NLT

Key Thought
Jesus will fulfill and surpass many metaphors, images, and rituals from Israel's rich history. John will show us how Jesus is the great...

 

As [Philip and Nathanael] approached, Jesus said, "Now here is a genuine son of Israel — a man of complete integrity." "How do you know about me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you." Then Nathanael exclaimed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God — the King of Israel!"

—John 1:47-49 NLT

Key Thought
Jesus knows us. That's because he really knows what is inside our human hearts. That's because he walked among people just like us...

 

Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter's hometown. Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth." "Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" "Come and see for yourself," Philip replied.

—John 1:44-46 NLT

Key Thought
"Come and see for yourself!" What Christianity has to offer the world that no other religion really has is...

 

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come, follow me."

—John 1:43 NLT

Key Thought
Jesus finds Philip in Galilee. Philip, at his best, is a practical and sensible man. At his worst, Philip is earth-bound and without distinction. Yet Jesus saw something special in Philip. He was of eternal value, just like any other person. However, Jesus also felt Philip had something unique to offer to the work of the Kingdom. So, led by God after a night of...