But it's okay because I know that Tina, Karen and Jeff are here too bahaha. Leaving today and a severe ice/snow storm is hitting AA at 4 a.m. so pray that I do get home...because...I want to go home lol. Although I've been in the deserted campus, I've been hanging out with Karen :) She cooked for me, we watched My Sassy Girlfriend, and went to Karaoke. Daron and Jeff dropped by too. Other than that, I worked at the hospital and cleaned my dorm finally...ahahah...
Okay, so in chapter 2, Jesus performs his first miraculous sign: turning water into wine. When the wine made by Jesus is tasted by the master of the Banquet, he remarks to the Bridegroom, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much drink; but you have saved the best till now." (v.10) I think this tells that whatever Jesus provided with, or brought out was/is the best of all. Anything man-made cannot compare to what has been made possible by Jesus.
Second part tells about Jesus, with a whip, clearing the Temple of men selling things and exchanging money. He has meant to keep the house of God sacred, to retain its purpose. This serves as a reminder for all of us who attend church that church exists to serve God. At the undergrad retreat past October, Pastor Jimmy (HMCC Evanston-Chicago) informed our freshmen class Remedy of the purpose of church. He reminded us that the church existed to make disciples, observe ordinances of the Lord, teach the Bible and discipline it's people. Church must not be solely for place of social gathering, and followers of Christ must BE the followers, not just claim that they are, which would make them hypocrites. (So many church back home in Houston were like this and I've observed separation within church and people falling out of faith as a consequence. Which includes me too.)
Lastly, the Jews who were corrupting the Temple demands Jesus for a miraculous sign to prove his authority of driving them out. "Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.' " (v.19) Jesus is talking about his resurrection from the grave. Remember Jesus himself, rising from the dead in 3 days IS a miracle. So why keep asking for a miraculous sign? I think this boils down to tell us to have strong faith.
I would like to know what you brothers and sisters of mine think about this. Please do feedback. I'm in need of help. omg. Other than that, Happy Holidays!
1 comment:
The first thing I notice is that Jesus is at a wedding. He didn't just preach from the mount or stay only with his disciples, but he did the normal activities too, like attend a wedding.
I agree with Jesus provides the BEST (not just good or better) for us and anything man-made doesn't compare. It also says that through this, it revealed his glory so the disciples put their faith in him. God always does things not just for our sake (even though he does love us), but ultimately, so that he may be glorified.
v.17 says, "His disciples remembered that it is written: 'Zeal for your house will consume me'" The Matthew, Mark, and Luke version of this account say something on the lines of: "My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers." This challenged me to be passionate for the local church. Is it truly a house of prayer where people are encountering God? Am I protecting and encouraging a culture of prayer and hungering after God? Or am I allowing secular culture to desecrate and steer the church away from focusing on God?
Everything Jesus did and said was leading to and pointing to the gospel. In fact, the whole Bible does this. v.22 says, "After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus has spoken." Believed the SCRIPTURE and JESUS' WORDS. Scripture and Christ's words only make sense in light of the gospel.
vv. 24-25 says, "But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man." Jesus put his life in God's hands, not mans. (It's a good thing too b/c all his disciples left him immediately after his death). We are imperfect, fickle people, but God is constant. This applies to not even putting out lives in our own hands, but God's alone. It applies to our academics, our careers, our futures, our families, and everything you can think of...surrendering it to God.
Post a Comment