John 2

This covers the miracle in Cana where Jesus turns the water into wine and the first time Jesus drove people out of the temple area.

I am really curious about the miracle at the wedding feast. Jesus tells His mom it isn't His business or time, but then He does it any way. I wonder if this was to show He respects His mom, to show He gets involved with stuff that is really not His thing to bless us or to somehow reinforce that everyone else gives their best up front, but with God things only get better and better. Not sure what to think.

I did think it was interesting that at this point Jesus' mother and brothers are with Him and later they think He is crazy and come to take Him home.

The first time Jesus goes and clears the temple He says that they have turned God's place into a market place. Have we done that with the church in modern day America? Not just on Sundays (although you do see that more and more), but have we turned the whole body of Christ into one big selling machine instead of a place of prayer and grace and celebration and sacrifice.

2:17 - Passion for God's house will consume me. - When John says God's house I think it would be wise to not think about it like a building, but God's people, His household. Does passion for God's people consume you? I mean, does it consume you to the point that you would get angry if people weren't having the opportunity to meet with God? Would it consume you enough to stand up and seem a bit wild about it? In the NLT translator notes it says this verse could also be translated Concern for God's house will be my undoing. - Can you imagine if those of us in leadership loved the church so much it was our undoing.

2:24 - Talks about the idea that Jesus did not entrust Himself to any man because He knew what was in a man. I know we think we do the same, but do you look for praise and affirmation from a boss, co-worker, spiritual leader, friend? If so, you are entrusting yourself to them even though you know enough to know what is in that person. Entrust yourself to God and then give yourself for the sake of people. We get that one backwards a lot.

Love, Michael

PS - Really stoked because at The Oasis we have our first Worship & Prayer Night tonight and I think God is going to do some really good stuff during that time. I am getting more excited about it by the minute.