04: My time has not yet come (John 2:1 – 23)

Though the world didn’t recognize the Messiah, some of them did and followed Him. However, they were not on the same page with Jesus regarding the Messianic expectations. They expected signs of miracles, but Jesus meant a different kind of sign. 

👉 Read John 2:1 - 25

Q1. What was Jesus’ reply to His mother’s request?

“Woman, why are you saying this to me? My time has not yet come.”

Mary thought the Messiah would deliver Israel from Rome by His miraculous power. Now, it seemed the right time for Jesus to reveal Himself. However, doing miracles was not Jesus' way to reveal His identity; the cross and the resurrection will be vital evidence of being the Messiah of God. Thus, Jesus said, ‘My time has not yet come.’ 

“Whatever he tells you, do it.” How did she interpret Jesus’ reply positively? This is my guess. Before this incident, Jesus had performed miraculous works reluctantly by His mother’s requests. That’s why, though Jesus had said, ‘Why do you get me involved again?’ Mary knew He would do something and said, ‘Whatever he tells you, do it.’

Q2. What did the host say to the bridegroom after tasting the new wine?

Everyone serves the good wine first and then the cheaper wine when the guests are drunk. You have kept the good wine until now.

The start of the Kingdom of God is weak and small, but the latter will be strong and great. Labor and suffering will be followed by rest and glory. The fate of the church is the same. All nations will hear the gospel and see the glory of Jesus. You’d better invest your life for His Kingdom just like the servants who poured water in the jars in faith.

Q3. What does verse 17 hint about Jesus’ death? 

Zeal for your house will devour me.

His zeal to restore and build the house of God made the religious leaders crucify Jesus. In His zeal for the church, He laid down His life and became a part of the church.

Q4. When they asked for a sign, what did Jesus say?

Destroy this temple, and in three days, I will raise it up again

The temple is the shadow of Jesus Christ. Thus, the sign Jesus would show them is the resurrection. (21 – 22)

They asked for Jesus’ authority to reform their religious system that had been handed down for generations. Jesus meant He would set up a new house of God after the destruction of the temple that symbolized their religious system. 

To their asking for Jesus’ authority, He answered He had authority not merely to reform their religion but rather to rebuild a new one. He had the authority of God, the initiator of their religion. 

Q5. Why did Jesus not entrust Himself to humans? (24 – 25)

He knew all the people and what was in them. 

The Passover feast was to remember God's amazing deliverance from Egypt. That's why this season was the moment when their Messianic hope reached a peak. 

“Believed in His name, for they saw miracles.” They admitted Jesus as the Messiah, in their own standard of the Messiah’s role. But, when Jesus revealed the role of the Messiah, most of them left (John 6:66). 

As you focus on miracles and blessings, your life will be out of sync with Jesus’ time.

The tomorrow in your following Jesus will be better than today, though it seems the opposite in your eyes now.