How deep is our faith?

This scene almost looks isolated. Jesus revealed his glory to his disciples through a miraculous sign in Cana. In John chapter 1, we read about the disciples’ first steps toward confident belief that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus added to their faith in Cana. In this second part of chapter 2, the disciples observe Jesus’ encounter with the Jewish religious system and a shallow, insincere faith that goes no deeper than the surface.

Next week, we’ll read about Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who sought true faith to learn who Jesus was, in secret due to opposition already at work.

Read John 2:12-17.

• When Jesus first arrived in Capernaum, his mother and brothers (still) accompanied him.
• Jesus then traveled to Jerusalem before the Passover.
• In the [outer] temple [courts]¹, he encountered men selling animals for sacrifice.
• Others exchanged common coins for special temple currency.
• Envision a noisy bazaar or outdoor market scene, with animals, dealers making change by chipping small pieces off larger metal coins², and Jesus “scattering” money on the ground.³
• Jesus drove all commerce—sellers and money changers—from his Father’s house.
• This is the first time Jesus cleared the temple, a separate event from the second described by Matthew and Mark after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem before the crucifixion. According to Thomas and Gundry, the three-year interval provided more than enough time for buying and selling in the temple to take hold again.⁴
• John described a scene of chaos and bedlam, present before, and increased by Jesus.
• Jesus said, “for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me” (Psalm 69:9).
• In this quote and here in John, the word “zeal” is used in a good sense.⁵

How often do we require people to come into God’s presence a certain way?

Why did Jesus create such a scene?

When and how might we create chaos in God’s presence?

How can we maintain distinction between God’s kingdom and worldly commerce?

“… It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:12-13).

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).

What do we “trade” in sacrifice to God instead of offering our hearts and lives?

Read John 2:18-25.

• The Jews demanded that Jesus provide a sign to show his authority to make such accusations.
• They asked for a sign in verse 18, and in verse 23, John recorded Jesus performed many signs.
• We encountered this word last week, meaning “signs, … miracles by Jesus as proof and to further his divine mission.”⁶
• John recorded Jesus’ interaction with the Jewish leaders—a glimpse of many conversations to come.
• He answered their question with what could be called a riddle.
• Jesus used the word for the temple building throughout these verses.⁷
• Possibly Paul drew on Jesus’ teaching about his body as a temple to make a connection to our lives once we receive the Holy Spirit, Christ in us.
• “Do you not know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
• They misinterpreted his meaning with another question.
• John didn’t record Jesus’ answer, if any.
• John does provide the correct interpretation, pointing to Jesus’ human body’s death and resurrection.
• Jesus revealed God’s glory in layers as he walked through his earthly ministry with the disciples and continued to teach and explain for many days after his crucifixion and resurrection.
• He declared truth from the whole Scripture to his disciples regarding his death and resurrection.
• Jesus remained in Jerusalem through the Passover and performed miracles and signs that resulted in many believing “in his name.”
• According to John, Jesus knew their hearts—who truly believed and whose faith was shallow.*
• That said, the word John used for “name” indicated some truly believed Jesus was “the Messiah where His name is said to be honored, revered, believed on,” [and appealed to as authority].⁸
• Jesus didn’t need anyone to tell him what was in a person’s heart, for he knows the hearts of all mankind.
• He knew mankind is often swayed by what they see and hear on the surface, before the Word has penetrated their souls.

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. … Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root” (Matthew 13:3, 5-6).

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

What evidence do we seek today to prove Jesus is Messiah?

What signs does Jesus offer to further his divine mission?

How would you describe Jesus’ interaction with the Jewish leaders?

How would you explain what it means to believe “in Jesus’ name?”

What impact does the fact Jesus knows our hearts have on our daily lives? 

 

*“Christ was performing many miracles in Jerusalem, and as a result, many people believed on Him. The phrase ‘did not commit himself to them’ is significant because it reveals that only Christ knew if these people were sincere. Most commentators agree that this verse speaks of those who believed on Christ, yet because Christ knew their true intentions, He saw the hypocrisy and shallowness of their faith.” Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study New Testament, King James Version (AMG Publishers, 1991), 306.

 

1. Implied from word use in similar verses, Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (AMG Publishers, 1992), 762.
2. Zodhiates, 860.
3. Zodhiates, 559.
4. Robert L. Thomas, Editor, and Stanley N. Gundry, Associate Editor, A Harmony of the Gospels with Explanations and Essays Using the Text of the New American Standard Bible, (Moody Press, 1978), 41.
5. Zodhiates, 699.
6. Zodhiates, 1286.
7. Zodhiates, 1004.
8. Zodhiates, 1049.