John 2: Jesus Honors His Parents

The second chapter of John begins with a story about Mary and her Son. Many of the disciples followed Jesus before He officially began His ministry. John is the only recorded Gospel that gives us a glimpse of the unofficial beginning of our Lord’s miracles, which He performed while attending a wedding with His disciples, thus far: James, John, Peter, Andrew, Philip, and Bartholomew.

And when the wine was all gone, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no more wine!”

Jesus said to her, “[Dear] woman, what is that to you and to Me? [What do we have in common? Leave it to Me.] My time (hour to act) has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:3-5 AMPC)

When a problem arises at a wedding, Jesus’ mother looks to Him to miraculously fix it. This confidence in her Son’s ability must be due to something. I’m sure there were miracles before this which led to her trust in Him to fix the problem of running out of wine. But the Lord knew when His official ministry would begin and it wasn’t at a wedding in Galilee.

Have you ever had a moment when someone asks you to do something and you think you are unable to do it, then after you spend a moment in prayer, God shows you how to accomplish it? I believe that is what happened. Jesus knew He couldn’t do an official miracle, but He also had to honor His mother and do as she requested IF it didn’t interfere with His destiny. Even the Lord submitted to His parents when it didn’t conflict with God’s will for His life!

The Lord instructed the servants to refill the water pots that had been used for the ceremonial washing before the wedding supper began. Each of the six pots holds 20-30 gallons. This is a big chore! A bucket for drawing water holds 1-2 gallons, imagine having to fill all those pots! After they were completely full, this happens:

Then He said to them, Draw some out now and take it to the manager of the feast. So they took him some. And when the manager tasted the water just now turned into wine, not knowing where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew—he called the bridegroom. (John 2:8-9 ESV)

A cup of water was sent to the manager of the feast who didn’t know the pots were filled with water. This is a key factor in understanding the miracles of God.

“Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. (Mark 6:2-6 ESV)

The account of Jesus in His hometown shows us that unbelief prohibited Jesus from doing mighty miracles. For the miracle to happen, there could be no unbelief. The person receiving it had to have no preconceived ideas of what he would be drinking. This would prevent unbelief from taking root.

Jesus was able to honor the request made by His mother without taking center stage. It is beautiful to see that He was a good Son to the woman who gave birth to Him. Since He is God, His life shows us more about our Heavenly Father whom we cannot see. This miracle shows us how much God cares for us.

Wine wasn’t a necessity, but it was a common part of a wedding celebration. Jesus miraculously supplied something that made the marriage gathering an excellent celebration. God cares for us so much that He wants to provide above and beyond our needs so that our joy will be full. This is how God loves us.

The other story recounted in this chapter is placed much later in the ministry of Jesus by all the other gospels. I spent much time asking God why John placed these two stories together and out of chronological order. The Lord revealed that John combines two events from different points to demonstrate the humanity of Jesus as the Son of Man and the divinity of Jesus as the Son of God. Because He was born of a human woman, Mary, He honored His mother. Now we will see Jesus honor God as His Father.

Now the Passover of the Jews was approaching, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. There He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting there [also at their stands].

And having made a lash (a whip) of cords, He drove them all out of the temple [enclosure]—both the sheep and the oxen—spilling and scattering the brokers’ money and upsetting and tossing around their trays (their stands). Then to those who sold the doves He said, Take these things away (out of here)! Make not My Father’s house a house of merchandise (a marketplace, a sales shop)! (John 2:13-16 AMPC)

Sheep, oxen, and doves were necessary items in the worship of God, yet selling these things in God’s temple upset the Lord so much that He literally lashed out at those disrespecting His Father’s house. This is the only time we see our Lord getting physical with people.

A true house of God should not sell anything. It shouldn’t have any kind of money system or business on the church grounds where teachings and worship of God are being done. Jesus told us how to do the work of God.

And as you go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give. Take no gold nor silver nor [even] copper money in your purses (belts)... (Matthew 10:7-9 ESV)

Nowhere in the Bible are the things of God charged for. These were not new instructions from the Lord. This has always been God’s way: Whether it is a message from God, worship, prayer, or miracles, whatever is done with God’s anointing, His power, or with His presence upon it, then it must be freely given. Ask yourself:

• What makes the teaching, the prayer, and the worship special?

• Is it the person bringing it or is it the fact that God is moving through it that is important?

To charge for an item elevates the person bringing it more than the fact that it comes from God. The disciples were expected to literally step out in faith, walking to a town where Jesus was telling them to go. It would cost them time as well as supplies to get there. And they had to trust that God would provide for them once they arrived.

When God gives us wisdom, insight, or the ability to worship Him, we step out in faith to produce books or music at our own expense with the provision that God has brought us. The next verse in Matthew shows us what we can expect to happen IF we have really received instructions from God and IF we are doing what He has for us:

And do not take a provision bag or a wallet for a collection bag for your journey, nor two undergarments, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the workman deserves his support (his living, his food). (Matthew 10:10 ESV)

Once we do as God says, then those who receive from God through us should give back to provide for our needs. This is how God has always operated. Paul had to teach this principle to the new Gentile converts in a couple of his letters:

Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does He not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? (1 Corinthians 9:8-11 ESV)

When God’s people left Egypt, He taught His people His ways. Those working for His Kingdom should get their living from that work. This was reinforced in a letter to the Galatians:

Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support]. Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. (Galatians 6:6-7 AMPC)

The Law of Moses, as mentioned to the Corinthians, teaches the precepts of God: Those who work for God, receive their living from that work. If we ignore these precepts by eagerly accepting free teachings and do not give back to support those teaching us, then we have disdained, scorned, and mocked God. In other words, we don’t consider what we learn is of value, we don’t invest our material substance in it. Instead, we use the provision God has brought us to buy new clothes, a special hairstyle, a better car, or any other worldly items.

For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers]. (Galatians 6:8-10 AMPC)

The principle of reaping and sowing is taught in many churches. This is one of the main applications of that principle. When we receive a teaching about God, we should share our substance with those who are helping us learn God’s ways, sowing material substance into their lives so they can get their living from the work they are doing for God. This also allows us to reap more from what we have been taught. If we use our material wealth for things of the flesh, that which we desire, for entertainment, and do not give to those who have taught us spiritually, then we will not get any benefit from what we have learned.

The Church has gone through a downward spiral just as God’s people had before Jesus came into the temple:

• In the 1940’s - 1970’s God’s churches began renting out meeting halls, but they were not rightly aligned with God.

  • They were unable to pay for the bills.

• Instead of seeking where they had gone wrong, they began charging for seats.

Because the precepts of God were set aside, the Body of Christ continued to go astray. God’s provision started to dry up and church leaders looked at ways to bring more money into the church.

• In the 1980’s a pastor published a bestselling book, prompting other ministers to begin selling the wisdom God has given them.

  • This brought the spirit of mammon into the church.

Today, many pastors are forced to have a secular job. These are referred to as bivocational pastors who are quickly becoming the norm. This lack of provision has pushed the churches further into the arms of mammon as the worship leaders' salaries were deficient for the needs. They began looking to receive more income for their work as well:

• Worship music is placed under a copyright

  • Churches must pay for the use of song lyrics under copyright

    • This is like selling doves at the Temple!

We are now in the same boat as the Temple was! When Jesus entered the Temple, He threw out everyone who was selling items used in the worship of God. It is not okay to place a price tag on worship songs. According to Acts 2:30, David was a prophet because he received lyrics from Heaven… from God! Anointed worship is from Heaven and it is from God, therefore we can not charge for it!

His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” (John 2:10)

Jesus showed us God’s heart. His passion for keeping God’s house holy caused Him to throw out all those selling anything in the Temple! This is how Jesus honored His Father. Are you willing to honor God as Jesus did? It is time to remove that which is sold from God’s church! Are you missing the zeal for your Father?

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19 ESV)

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. So then, brace up and reinvigorate and set right your slackened and weakened and drooping hands and strengthen your feeble and palsied and tottering knees, And cut through and make firm and plain and smooth, straight paths for your feet [yes, make them safe and upright and happy paths that go in the right direction], so that the lame and halting [limbs] may not be put out of joint, but rather may be cured. (Hebrews 12:11-13 AMPC)

God loves us but He will discipline those who lack zeal. When we correct our children, we can limit what they receive and life may seem unfair or harsh. The Book of Hebrews tells us that when we need correction, we are “out of joint” with God and may need healing. The church in need of zeal is lacking in other areas:

And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things said the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.

Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked... (Revelation 3:14-17 AKJV)

 Being without zeal means you are lukewarm. The words “spew from my mouth” mean to vomit, which implies rejecting with extreme disgust. Does this apply to you? Consider the meaning of the words the Lord uses.

• Wretched: talaipōros (ta-lah'-ee-po-ros) Strong’s G5005 - enduring toils and troubles, afflicted.

  • Are you battling sickness?

• Pitiable: eleeinos (el-eh-i-nos’) Strong's G1652 - miserable, feeling unsatisfied.

  • Are you emotionally afflicted? Continually looking for something new to fill a hole inside?

• Poor: ptōchos (tah-khos’) Strong’s G4434 - poor in spiritual ways.

  • Do you operate in the fruit and gifts of the Spirit?

    • If you don’t even know what these are, then this is YOU!

• Blind: typhlos (too-flos') Strong's G5185 - mentally dull, not mentally clear

  • Are you unable to hold onto understanding or even receive enlightenment from God?

• Naked: gymnos (goom-nos') Strong's G1131 - without a garment of righteousness earned through good deeds.

  • Have you done good for God’s Kingdom?

If ANY of these apply to your life, here is what your Lord says:

I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and He with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:18-21 ESV)

The afflictions mentioned in the prior verses are because Jesus loves you. He allows afflictions so that you will seek God for help! Jesus is ready to come into your life and be a part of it: this is what it means to come in and eat with you. Do you hear Him knocking on your heart? If so, it is time to “buy” what you need so that He will come to where you are.

How do we “buy” things of God when our Lord tells us that “freely you have received, freely give?” There are two ways we buy the things of God.

1. We buy things of God with offerings to those who Teach.

As we have discussed, everything that comes from God must be freely given, just like salvation, we don’t pay to receive it. However, if we receive something of spiritual value, we should give back. This is purchasing the items we are missing!

2. We buy things of God with our time.

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; (Isaiah 55:1-3 ESV)

You “buy” without money by searching for God and when you find His wisdom, you should take time to listen! You are buying it with your time. Neither of these should be neglected because “as you sow, so shall you reap.” If you are only giving time and attention to God, and neglecting to support those who are giving freely to you, He will consider that “mocking” His ways. Your understanding may be hindered!

The Lord has prepared a place for you! Come to the Online Christian Church and learn and see what Jesus expects of you. All classes, all materials, and even tutoring is free! Schedule a Let’s Chat if you’d like to know where to begin!

Thanks to John’s placement of the events in the life of Jesus, in this chapter we have seen that Jesus honored both His earthly mother and His Father in Heaven. He is a good Son. Because of His sacrifice, we are now all sons and daughters of God. It is time to begin honoring our Heavenly Father just as Jesus did!

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John 2: Jesus Honors His Parents Online Christian Church

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