John 2:1-25

An Unjust System: At the time of Jesus’ visit to the temple, the high priests were ruthless, evil men who used their position to extort money from the people. Jewish law required every family to bring their own sacrificial animal to the Passover, and some of them traveled from great distances. The high priests, knowing this, started to sell animals that could be used for sacrifice at the temple - but sold them at exorbitant prices. In this way, the corrupt priests used their power to establish an unjust system.

Also, during the time of Passover, the law dictated that every Jewish man age 20 or older was required to pay a half shekel temple tax. Since the Jews lived in an area controlled by the Roman government, their coinage was of Roman origin. On the face of the coins was an image of Caesar. The Jews were not allowed to take image-bearing coins into the temple, so the priests of the day set up tables in the courtyard where visitors could exchange their everyday coins for Tyrian half shekels. However, the priests would again charge exorbitant fees - even as much as half a day’s wage - in order to do so.

2:1 | Jesus performed His first public miracle, not in the temple but in a Jewish home in Cana; not at a funeral but at a wedding; not at a fast but at a feast. This is areminder that the life of a Christian should reflect the joy that characterized Jesus (15:11; Ps. 16:11; Gal. 5:22).

2:2 | Jesus wants to be invited as a vital part in every relationship. Inviting Him at the beginning - as a marriage’s foundations are being established - will strengthen and set the direction for it.

2:3 | Jesus performed His first miracle, not merely to replenish the wine supply but also to save a humble Galilean family from disgrace. Running out of food or wine at a wedding feast was considered a terrible social faux pas on the part of the groom’s family.

2:5 | Mary’s response indicates that she did not consider Jesus’ words a rebuke. Jesus is still looking for those who will respond to Him with the same simplicity of obedience.

2:6-10 | Jesus’ actions show how vastly different God’s ways are from the world’s. The world starts with the better, which often becomes bitter in the end. But God starts with something ordinary and makes it extraordinary. Whenever Jesus enters a life, He transforms it.

2:6 | The waterpots were large, low basins for the purpose of Jewish purification. Six of them would have held enough wine for more than 2,400 servings. This miracle foreshadowed the day when Jesus would replace the water of Jewish ritual with new wine that was superior in every way.

2:19-21 | Jesus signaled that He replaced the temple. God would now dwell with His people in the God-Man, Jesus Christ. This statement misunderstood by the Jewish leaders, would be used against Jesus at His trial (Matt. 26:61; 27:40; Mark 15:29).

2:23-24 | The Greek word for believe suggests wholehearted commitment and trust.