Class Two – John the Baptist, the first miracle and Jesus disrupts the temple.

Our second lesson in the book of John was completely action packed. We took a look at the forerunner of Jesus, John the baptist. He was an incredible example of someone who understood his calling and was able to stay on message even in the face of intense scrutiny. Every time the religious leaders demanded to know who he was, he responded by stating his message, “clear the way of the Lord”. He was a man that understood his purpose and did not waiver or deviate from it.

“FILL THOSE JARS WITH WATER!”

Next, we were then transported to Cana to a wedding of a friend of Jesus. He performed his first miracle at the request of his mother Mary. We see that this miracle was of abundance and excellence. It was an act of kindness to cover the embarrassment of friends on their wedding day.

Jesus disrupted the temple as only the Messiah could do. With consuming zeal he cleared out the the merchants and restored order in His fathers house while everyone stood silent. His proclamation of truth divided the crowd in two groups. Those that think they understand and resist and those that admit their confusion ant draw closer.

Our prayer should be to become people of deeper conviction and to be even more dedicated to the purpose of God in our lives. I pray that our second lesson was a blessing to you and I am looking forward to our next time together. We are learning so much about the nature our savior through His interactions with the individuals He came in contact with. Remember that John is writing the signs to produce belief so that we may have life. Until next week!

Our first class is underway!

This past Monday night February 11th we published the first lesson of the course, The Book of John. What a great time we had! We gave some background on the book of John as well as the synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. After this brief introduction to the book, we dove in and began to discuss the first eighteen verses.

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God”

John is letting us know that Jesus is the Son of God! He is the creator of all things and that he sustains everything that He made. John will emphasize the signs that Jesus did in order that we might believe, so that we may have life through His name. The key terms of the book of John are:

SIGNS, BELIEVE, LIFE

To as many as received Him, to them he gave the power to become the Sons of God. We have been born in the flesh, but because of Jesus we are now born not of the will of man but in the Spirit, of the will of God. I am so glad that I am not only a friend of God, but that I am a son of God. I am His son and He is my father. That is why Jesus instructed us to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven”. Isn’t that amazing? Jesus full of grace and truth has made a way for us to be in this heavenly family. John made certain that there would be no room for doubt. Jesus was God in the flesh, applying His super to our natural so that we might believe and in believing have life in His name.

I am looking forward to next Monday night when we will be together again, diving into the the remainder of chapter one and chapter two. Please do not miss it!