John 2- Cleansing The Temple

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And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. John 2:14-16

There is a popular catchphrase that states “What Would Jesus Do”? Well you can reply with that, Jesus would Cleanse The Temple! When Jesus came to the Temple he saw it turned into a marketplace rather than a house of worship. The Jews took aspects of The Torah and turned it into a money making religion

I believe this act is also very symbolic and a clear display of becoming Born Again. As the Bible states in the New Covenant “Our Bodies are now the Temple of God” (1 Corinthians 3, 6) We need to Cleanse our Temples! We need to Repent and remove the sin and inquiry from our lives and worship God in Spirit and Truth!

And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. John 2:17-19

Jesus quoted Psalm 69, a chapter that is clearly about repentance and turning back to God. The religious leaders challenged Jesus and asked him for a sign of his authority! How Jesus responded was very significant, He said he would destroy The Temple and Raise it up in 3 days!

The religious leaders perceived this as a threat , however as we know Jesus was talking about his physical body and the Resurrection. This is a clear prophecy of Jesus foretelling his own resurrection. Secondly its showing us Jesus has replaced The Temple, everything in the Torah and the Temple were foreshadows of Christ and led to Him

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. John 2:20-22

The Holy Spirit clearly reveals Jesus was talking about his own physical body as The Temple and fortelling about the Resurrection. After Christ rose from the dead, his disciples remembered what Jesus told them

Another thing to note is Jesus said “I will raise it up” meaning He would resurrect himself! How can this be? Because Jesus is God in the flesh! Amen!

John 2- The Wedding Feast

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And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. John 2:1-3

Its no surprise that the setting for Jesus’ first miracle was performed at a Wedding. Since the return of Christ is said to be like a Wedding Feast, where Christ is the groom and the Church is his bride (Matthew 22:1-14) 

Secondly the miracles of turning water into wine, is no surprise either. As its symbolic of our transformation of Born Again Christians. When the Holy Spirit draws us to Christ and breathes on our Dry Bones, we become Alive in Christ and transformed into a New Creation. As Jesus said “You cant put old wine into new wine skin” (Mark 2:22)

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. John 2:4-7

I find it interesting, even though Jesus is the Son of God, his personal relationship he has with his mother. His mother Mary is almost like pushing him into performing his first miracle, almost like a mother bird pushing her baby from the nest

Jesus says “ My hour has not yet come” we see Jesus human side along with his deity. Was Jesus unsure about himself yet? Not sure, but his mother Mary knew his destiny to be the Messiah. She told them “Do whatever he says” Meaning she knows Jesus position and his deity!

And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. John 2:8-10

Jesus transformed the water into wine, a theme that will continue throughout the New Covenant. Jesus is transforming us into a new creation! I think its no coincidence, the miracle of the wine is also a symbol of Christ blood that redeemed us from our sin (Luke 22)

Notice it says you have kept the best for last! The New Heavens and Earth (Revelation 21) Gods Kingdom is the best paradise for His redeemed Children through Christ Amen!

John 1- The Calling

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Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. John 1:35-37

How do we get drawn to Jesus Christ? Today we are looking at The Calling, what draws people to Christ, is it yourself or is it the Holy Spirit? As Jesus walking by John the Baptist and his followers, John declared once again “Behold The Lamb of God”! What was the reaction of his disciples? They were immediately drawn to Christ

The disciples didn’t start debating or asking philosophical questions, they were immediately drawn to Christ, why? Because the Holy Spirit drew them to Jesus. The testimony of John the Baptist stirred something in their heart, and they knew this is The Messiah

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. John 1:38-39

So what did the disciples do next when they were drawn to Christ, they seeked after Jesus, they wanted to learn his ways, they wanted to know their Savior. They had a passion and desire to know Christ. They had a burning calling to follow Him

What did Jesus say? He asked them what they wanted? They wanted to know Christ, so he said Follow Me! Simple as that, Jesus didnt say what are your credentials or qualifications, he said “If you want to know me, follow Me”! 

Another thing to notice is Jesus didn’t plan or lay out their next 3 years before them. He asked them by faith to trust and follow Him. These disciples had no idea what they were getting themselves into, but by faith they followed Christ

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.  John 1:40-41

They declared “We have found The Messiah” , how did they know this? They knew because of the Holy Spirit, they knew because of the testimony of John the Baptist, they knew because of their desire to know Jesus, and by faith they followed Christ and became “Fishers of Men” Amen!

John 1- The Lamb of God

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The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. John 1:29-31

As soon as John the Baptist saw Jesus he declared “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” Now for the Gentiles this wouldn’t make any sense, but John was declaring this to the Jewish people, who knew he was referencing the Passover Lamb of Exodus. Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice to pay the wages for our sin

Revealed earlier, John the Baptist is the Messenger in the Wilderness prophesied by Isaiah, to prepare the way for The Lord. How did he prepare them? He preached a message of repentance and baptized them with water to make a profession of their faith. 

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John 1:32-34

John witnessed the Holy Spirit descending from Heaven and anointed Jesus as the Messiah. Why would the Son of God need to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Well remember Jesus became flesh to be the Lamb of God, Jesus is fully God and fully human , a concept that is difficult for our minds to grasp (Philippians 2)

Notice John baptizes with water, but Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Nobody else can baptize with the Holy Spirit except Christ alone. John the Baptist not only declared these things as a prophet but he was a witness to all these things!

When you feel there is no hope in this world, remember The Lamb of God took away the sin of the world so that we may be reconciled back to The Father Amen!

John 1- God Became Flesh

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:1-4

One of the most powerful chapters in the Bible is John 1, perhaps the gospel of John is one of the most important books in the Bible, because it clearly reveals the deity of Jesus and his sovereignty over the universe. A couple things of interest here, first the Apostle John echos Genesis 1 with Christ. All things were made through Jesus, he was in the beginning of Creation

Notice it states Jesus was with God and Jesus is God, how? The mystery of the Triunity of God, Father Son and Holy Spirit. Many today still cant grasp the concept of John 1:1 , even to the point they add text for it to make sense. But the Holy Spirit is clear, Jesus is God!

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  John 1:5-9

Jesus is The Light of The World, without Him its total darkness. Without Christ, there is no hope, there is no victory over death. Many often skip over the passages of John the Baptist, however he plays an important role in the gospel story

Why? Because he is a witness and testifies that Jesus is the Messiah, the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world. Jesus called John the Baptist “the greatest of all prophets” (Luke 7:28) Christ didnt proclaim himself, the prophets , The Father and the Holy Spirit all proclaimed that Jesus is the Christ

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:10-14

Think about this, Jesus walked among us and the world didnt recognize him. Many rejected him, they even killed the Son of God. But many became Born Again, not reborn of flesh, but reborn of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit drew them to Christ and made them Sons of God

Imagine God became human and lived with us, yet the darkness of this world killed him. Even though we were still sinners, Jesus died for us, he brought us truth and grace, even when we didnt deserve it. The amazing grace of Christ given to us Amen!

Exodus 40- The Glory of God

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Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. Exodus 40:34-37

Now that the construction of the tabernacle is complete, we find out why God instructed the Israelites to build it. Besides the fact , we know that everything in the Tabernacle including the Tabernacle is a foreshadow of Christ, there is a bigger reason. The glory of God can now make its dwelling on Earth in the Tabernacle

Notice the Glory of God was with the Israelites, God was with them through the journey of the Wilderness, and God is with them wherever they go. Also notice Moses couldn’t enter the Tabernacle when God filled its presence, why? Because we are sinful people and would be consumed by the holiness and glory of God

For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.  Exodus 40:38

God was with the Israelites day and night, throughout their journeys. What a comfort it must of been for Moses and the Israelites to see that presence of God and know He is with them. The same God is with us today, the Holy Spirit lives inside of us (Romans 8:11) As the Apostle Paul taught our bodies are now the Temple of God and the Holy Spirit lives inside of us (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:10)

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14

The word dwelling in the Bible is the same as Tabernacle. Jesus made his dwelling or tabernacle with us. Just as God instructed the Israelites to construct a Tabernacle so He could live with them, Jesus became Human to live with us. Immanuel , God is with us

The tabernacle is another foreshadow of Christ incarnate. God becoming human to live with us and eventually die for our sins as the atoning sacrifice. Jesus is our Tabernacle , who lives with us forever Amen!

Exodus 38- The Courtyard

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And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, an hundred cubits: Their pillars were twenty, and their brasen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. Exodus 38:9-11

Today we are going to take a look at the courtyard of the Tabernacle. Now at first this may seem like a boring topic but when we analyze the significance of this feature it makes alot of sense. First we know that nobody but the High Priest, after they have been cleansed and consecrated, can enter the Tabernacle. Therefore the rest of the Israelites must remain in the courtyard separated by the Veil with God. As we know Christ fulfilled that Veil so we can enter into God’s presence today

Even though the Israelites were limited to the Courtyard, they made the decision to enter in. This is an act of faith for us today also, when God calls your name, you receive his call and enter into The Gate (John 10)This is where repentance begins. Notice we see Brass or Bronze alot, this is symbolic of judgement in the Bible

And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. And for the east side eastward fifty cubits. The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen. And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver. And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court. Exodus 38:12-18

Notice we see Silver alot also here, Silver is symbolic of Truth or Wisdom in the Bible. Jesus is The Truth and The Truth shall Set You Free (John 8) Again you enter into the Gate , which is a foreshadow of Christ (John 10) and your coming into Truth and Judgement. God has a solution, the atoning sacrifice for our sins, which is Jesus Christ!

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Matthew 21:-12-13

Fast forward to The Temple, Jesus drove out all the corruption of the Courtyard, as this was meant to be a Holy place also. But this is also symbolic of us cleansing our sins with repentance. Jesus was cleansing the Temple of transgressions, as Jesus would become the ultimate Temple, (John 2), the Taberacle of God in the Flesh (John 1:14) Amen!