The Power and the
Authority of Jesus
Book of John Chapter
2
We know that the
first recorded miracle that came by the hands of Jesus was in the
City of Cana during a marriage in which His whole earthly family and
His disciples had taken part in. His family also continued with Him
as they went with Him to Capernaum.
Capernaum had become
the place where Jesus and His disciples had made the home base of His
ministry. Both Cana and Capernaum were cities in what was called
Galilee, but Capernaum was a city on the Sea of Galilee about 18
miles downhill from Cana.
It was in the city
of Capernaum where Jesus taught in a synagogue that was probably
built by a Roman Centurion.
In fact so many
miracles happened in the city of Capernaum that God placed a curse
upon this city because the people failed to see Jesus as the Messiah.
Mat 11:23 And thou,
Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to
hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been
done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
Mat 11:24 But I say
unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in
the day of judgment, than for thee.
We will see this
city mentioned many times as we seek to study the Book of John.
*****Joh 2:12 After
this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren,
and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
Joh 2:13 And the
Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
Joh 2:14 And found
in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the
changers of money sitting:
After this means,
after the wedding that all the earthly family of the Lord and all the
disciples of the Lord attended, they all then went to Capernaum.
Capernaum was at a lower elevation or downhill from Cana and their
next trip would be up hill all the way to Jerusalem for Feast of the
Passover.
We must understand
that the pathway to Heaven is not always easy but the view from the
top will be wonderful when we get to New Jerusalem.
The annual Passover
was a Memorial to freedom but also a symbolic Memorial in memory of
that first Passover night in Egypt much like our July the 4th
celebration.
It is symbolic
because the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover was Mount Calvary
where the Lamb of God took away the sins of the entire world.
Joh 1:29 The next
day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of
God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
1Co 5:7 Purge out
therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are
unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1Co 5:8 Therefore
let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven
of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity
and truth.
Jesus and those with
Him could only stay a few days in Capernaum because it was a long
walk up hill all the way to Jerusalem.
The Temple that sat
on top of Mount Zion is believed to have covered 30 acres.
The Temple itself
was a small ornate building near the center but there were several
courtyards each courtyard was separated by its own wall.
There was the
courtyard of the priests and only priest could enter there. Only the
High Priest could enter into the Holy of Holies and that only once
each year.
There was the
courtyard of the Israelites and only Jewish men could enter there.
There was the
courtyard of women for Jewish women only but on certain occasions
could these women worship with the men.
There was the
courtyard of the Gentiles, which was the greatest court of all others
in size and was intended for Gentiles who were converted to Judaism.
These converted Gentiles could be put to death if they tried to enter
into the other courtyards.
Remember the Apostle
Paul was accused of bringing a Gentile into the place of the priest
when He first went back to Jerusalem after his conversion to
Christianity.
It was bad enough
that oxen and sheep were found on the Temple grounds to be purchased
for sacrifice. The people were to bring the best that they owned.
It was bad enough
that there were money-changers who converted any money and revenue to
Temple money for a profit. It was illegal for the Jews to charge
ursury to another Jew in any way.
These things were
bad enough but the priest, even the High Priest, shared in the
profits of these things, including the High Priests who could have
been the only one who sanctioned these things.
The Temple grounds
had become like a carnival side show and King Herod loved it because
even he was made richer when he collected the taxes.
The Temple brought
in much revenue to Jerusalem.
We must understand
that the Temple and the Church are to be for the glory of God and not
for such things as these!
It was the priest
who were rewarded as they collected their reward for allowing these
merchants upon the Temple grounds.
They had made
merchandise out of God's people!
The court of the
Gentiles had been turned into an open market, a mall, a bazaar.
You know what is so
sad? Many a so-churches have done the same thing today!
We hear of Coffee
shops and donut shops and God forbid a tavern where even the preacher
says he can preach much better after a couple of beers.
These high-ranking
Jewish priests had forgotten what the House of the Lord was all
about!
The House of God is
set for the worship of Jehovah God, the Lord Jesus Christ, in Spirit
and Truth, a place for believers to gather to worship in the truth of
God and fellowship in the Lord!
*****Joh 2:15 And
when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of
the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers'
money, and overthrew the tables;
Joh 2:16 And said
unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my
Father's house an house of merchandise.
How do we abuse the
House of God?
1) We forget God's
holiness while forgetting our duty to reverence God! It is not only
our duty to gather in the House of God, but it is our privilege to
worship in God's House.
2) We forget what
worship is all about.
3) We misuse the
facilities and the buildings of God's house.
4) We allow
"questionable", non-worship activities in the House of God.
All these things
have no purpose in God's House!
The House of God
must be about worship of the Lord and the hospital for lost souls.
Every activity at the church must keep these two things in mind!
1) Jesus chased out
all those who were buying and selling.
2) Jesus threw over
the tables of the moneychangers.
3) Jesus threw over
the chairs of the dove dealers.
2Co 10:4 (For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting
down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to
the obedience of Christ;
2Co 10:6 And having
in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is
fulfilled.
Jesus called God "My
Father" and Jesus called the Temple "My Father's House".
Once a place of
worship is dedicated to the Lord it belongs to Him!
Every place that is
made for the worship of Jehovah God then becomes a House that God
built!
The Church is not to
be a place for buying or selling. The Church is not to become a
bazaar. The Church is not a place for commercial profit. The Church
is not a place for stealing or cheating or going against the written
Word of God.
The Church is to be
a place set aside to worship and that worship directed at Jehovah
God, the Lord Jesus Christ or it is not even a Church.
The Church is to be
a place to train disciples to send out to make more disciples.
The activities that
take place at the Church should be about these two things!
Psa 27:3 Though an
host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war
should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Psa 27:4 One thing
have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell
in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the
beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Psa 27:5 For in the
time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of
his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psa 27:6 And now
shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me:
therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will
sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
The disciples of the
Lord did not ever forget this day when the Lord cleaned out the House
of God!
These disciples
remembered what was written in the Scriptures!
*****Joh 2:17 And
his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house
hath eaten me up.
Psa 69:9 For the
zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that
reproached thee are fallen upon me.
Psa 119:138 Thy
testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Psa 119:139 My zeal
hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
Psa 119:140 Thy
word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
Psa 119:141 I am
small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Psa 119:142 Thy
righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the
truth.
These disciples
remembered what was written in the Scriptures, which showed that they
were familiar with the Psalms, the song book of Jews!
They also realized
that these Psalms were written of the Messiah.
If we are to be like
Jesus Christ (Christian) then we to are to possess such zeal as He
showed here in this passage for the House of God!
For instance, how
can we expect our lost family members to come to Christ if we do not
put forth a great effort, a great zeal, for their salvation and for
the truth.
In fact our Pastor
has a great zeal to reach the lost but not many members of our church
are willing to go house to house to reach out to them. I am guilty of
this myself!
Jesus Christ had a
great zeal for the House of God, but He did not destroy those things
in the Temple, He just stopped what was going on because the House of
God has no place for these things.
As is always the
case, those who made a profit off of the sales of these things were
the true deceivers.
It is most always
true that if a crime has been committed we only need to follow the
money trail to find those who are the more guilty.
*****Joh 2:18 Then
answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us,
seeing that thou doest these things?
Joh 2:19 Jesus
answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I
will raise it up.
Jesus the Messiah
had every right to do these things at a place set aside for worship
of Jehovah God! This was His house!
These people who had
witnessed these things then, showed they belonged to Satan as they
tempted the Lord to show them some miracle for proof that He was the
Messiah.
The Apostle Peter
said that there is not greater proof than the written Word of God.
2Pe 1:15 Moreover I
will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these
things always in remembrance.
2Pe 1:16 For we
have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto
you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17 For he
received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a
voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased.
2Pe 1:18 And this
voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the
holy mount.
2Pe 1:19 We have
also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take
heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day
dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing
this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation.
As it is today, the
"Gospel" of Jesus Christ is still the stumbling block of
the Jewish people.
Jesus knew all these
things, so He simply said "when this body I have taken is
murdered then, I will raise again in 3 days and this would be the
only sign that they needed.
Act 10:39 And we
are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the
Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Act 10:40 Him God
raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
Act 10:41 Not to
all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us,
who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
Act 10:42 And he
commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he
which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
These who were
probably Temple priests, representing the High Priest were ignorant
of the truth of the Messiah, they would not accept this answer, nor
would they have accepted a miracle had Jesus caused one to happen.
The Lord decided
they did not deserve any other answer at all!
We are never to
enter into discussions about the truth of the Scriptures. What God
has said is the truth, period!
We do not have to
answer the world because of their unbelief. They make this choice
themselves and they had already decided that they could not be proven
wrong.
There is very little
doubt that Jesus was pointing to His own body when He said these
things because the disciples clearly understood what He was speaking
of.
*****Joh 2:20 Then
said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and
wilt thou rear it up in three days?
We know that the
Temple of Solomon had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. We also know
that those Jews who had returned from Babylon had rebuilt the Temple
but not in the same splendor of that of Solomon because they were too
poor.
Ezr 3:12 But many
of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient
men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house
was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted
aloud for joy:
Ezr 3:13 So that
the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the
noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a
loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
King Herod had taken
it upon himself to transform that Temple into a grand structure but
only succeeded in making the Temple a worldly structure that God
would later cause to be destroyed.
The work on the
Temple had been going on for 46 years and this work would continue
for 36 more years until it was within 6 or 7 years of the time when
Titus completely destroyed the Temple again in 70AD.
Why did Jesus weep
when returning to Jerusalem for the last time before He went to the
Cross?
Luk 19:41 And when
he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Luk 19:42 Saying,
If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things
which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
Luk 19:43 For the
days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench
about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
Luk 19:44 And shall
lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they
shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest
not the time of thy visitation.
We can trust the
Lord to know the future of all things!
*****Joh 2:21 But
he spake of the temple of his body.
Joh 2:22 When
therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that
he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the
word which Jesus had said.
The goal of our
Father in Heaven was to provide an even newer Temple, a Temple that
would last forever, a Temple built without the hands of man. This
would be a new meeting place for God to meet with us, up close and
personal.
For all those who
would believe, the Holy Spirit would be the first to move in and we
all would become the greatest Temple ever built.
Act 11:16 Then
remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Tit 3:4 But after
that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Tit 3:5 Not by
works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy
he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy
Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he
shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Tit 3:7 That being
justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope
of eternal life.
We should also
understand that it was this same statement that was twisted into a
lie and used against Him, when Jesus was tried for insurrection.
Mat 26:61 And said,
This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to
build it in three days.
This was also the
same statement that was used to taunt Jesus when He was on the cross.
Mat 27:40 And
saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three
days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the
cross.
The Jews never
considered that Jesus was offering them eternal salvation and they
rejected all His Words!
Rom_4:25 Who was
delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our
justification.
Rom_5:16 And not as
it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by
one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto
justification.
There were many who
were at the Temple that knew the Lord because of the miracles He had
done in the many places He had traveled.
*****Joh 2:23 Now
when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many
believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
Even at the Temple
during this Passover there were some who believed that Jesus was the
Christ, the Messiah. They had the same belief that we have today.
There were also some
at the Temple who had seen the Lord perform the many miracles and
they only believed Him for this reason which is not good enough to
get into God's New Heaven.
Heb 10:38 Now the
just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall
have no pleasure in him.
Heb 10:39 But we
are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that
believe to the saving of the soul.
The Lord Jesus
Christ was truly full of power, in fact extraordinary power,
explosive power and it is this belief that could get them saved.
1Co 1:22 For the
Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
1Co 1:23 But we
preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the
Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24 But unto
them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God,
and the wisdom of God.
There were also
those who just believed just because they had witnessed all the
things that Jesus had done.
Joh 10:37 If I do
not the works of my Father, believe me not.
Joh 10:38 But if I
do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know,
and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
We should also
understand that the Lord knows exactly what is in the mind of every
human being and our Lord is not a deceiver but always of the truth.
*****Joh 2:24 But
Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
Joh 2:25 And needed
not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
To many of that day,
their faith just did not go far enough.
What are the 2
commandments of the Lord that have real meaning?
Mat 22:37 Jesus
said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is
the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the
second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these
two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
These are the guide
lines for our faith and these 2 things must be real!
The Holy Spirit will
not move into our bodies unless we possess this love.
Even today Jesus
Christ knows everything about everybody.
We simply cannot
fool God!
Heb 11:6 But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.
If we will believe
that Jesus Christ is exactly who He says He is, then by the "Grace"
of God, we can be saved from a sinners Hell and rewarded by being
adopted into the family of God!
Amen
Let's Pray!
