John 2

Devotional by Stephanie Chase

Read John 2

John 2

Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman,  why do you involve me?”Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

Jesus Clears the Temple Courts

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.  24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Devotional

Think about Jesus for a moment. Whisper his name.  Who is Jesus to you?  

Reading John 2, we see several characteristics of Jesus. 

Jesus was a friend. The disciples were friends of Jesus. They watched Jesus’ conversation with his mother and saw him turn water into wine at the wedding. The disciples believed in him. Are you a friend of Jesus? Do you believe in Jesus?  

Jesus was obedient to God’s plan. When Mary prodded Jesus to turn water to wine, Jesus knew his hour had not yet come. Jesus was in full surrender to his Father’s will, even though it was hard. Are you submitting to God’s plan for your life?  

Jesus had a passion for purity. By turning over tables and pouring out coins, Jesus cleansed the temple. Is your life the temple of God? How passionate are you about purity? 

As you reflect on who Jesus is, remember 1 John 2:5, which says, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

This new year, commit to being a friend of Jesus, practicing obedience to God’s plan, and maintaining a passion for purity.

49 thoughts on “Day Two | Who is Jesus?”

  2. Thankful for the friendship that Christ offers to us, the invitation to obey the Father’s plan and for the example of Christ’s pure life lived without compromise. May I live in the same manner as He!

  3. Jesus is almighty and powerful, which is seen in the miracles he performs. He is also so caring and merciful in that he cares about the small details of our lives – like providing wine at the wedding.

  4. Jesus is my friend, my family, my everything. The ultimate sacrifice he made was leaving that tomb after 3 days after people didn’t believe he could do it on that amount of time. Jesus is also a role model and someone we should live by and with day after day. Thank you Jesus for everything! Amen!

    1. Jesus is my friend and I want to walk as Jesus wants me too. Praise the Lord and Amen!!🙏✝🕊📖

  6. I am thankful I have a friend in Jesus that loves me even when I am unlovable. I want to obey Him more this year by telling others about His goodness. My desire is to live more in His image by using more of the fruits of the spirit.

  7. For years, I was living in active willful disobedience. Through repentance, true repentance I submit to the will of God and I’m finding out that it is a daily battle, hourly at times. I declare today to fully submit in obedience to the will of God and not my own. I desire to have a passion for purity and that my want and will line up with His will for my life and I pray that the Lord gives me grace and favor in all these areas of my life, exposing and getting rid of all hidden faults molding me to be more like Him.

  8. Jesus is my friend. I pray for God’s sovereign and perfect will and not my flawed and imperfect will for my life. God is good, He is my refuge and He cares about me (Nahum 1:7). Amen

  9. Lord, fill me to the brim and allow me to only serve your best to those in my path today, with an obedient and pure heart.
    Amen.

  10. This daily devotional reminds me of one of my favorite hymns (below) “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”:
    What a friend we have in Jesus,
    All our sins and griefs to bear!
    What a privilege to carry
    Everything to God in prayer!
    Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
    Oh, what needless pain we bear,
    All because we do not carry
    Everything to God in prayer!
    Have we trials and temptations?
    Is there trouble anywhere?
    We should never be discouraged—
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Can we find a friend so faithful,
    Who will all our sorrows share?
    Jesus knows our every weakness;
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Are we weak and heavy-laden,
    Cumbered with a load of care?
    Precious Savior, still our refuge—
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
    Take it to the Lord in prayer!
    In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
    Thou wilt find a solace there.
    Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
    Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
    May we ever, Lord, be bringing
    All to Thee in earnest prayer.
    Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
    There will be no need for prayer—
    Rapture, praise, and endless worship
    Will be our sweet portion there.

  11. He walks with me and talks with me. He hears me when I cry. He is someone who will never let me down!

  13. Praise Jesus for showing me through his character and actions how I should practice my faith. Holy Spirit keep my focus on Jesus.

  14. Lord Jesus thank you for Your words we live by. And thank you for the responses to Your words. Glory to God. Great things Your are doing in our lives! For You Jesus know what is in man. Amen

  15. Friends are friends forever if the Lord is Lord of them.
    I am thankful He sticks CLOSER than a brother.
    Blessings abound!

  16. Verse 25 grabbed hold of my heart this morning: “He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.”

    Jesus, you know me fully. I pray today like the jars at the wedding, I will be filled and poured out in such a way that others see YOU and your miraculous power at work.

  17. “Who is Jesus to me?” I found my answer in Matthew 11:28-30 when Jesus spoke from His own heart and said “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” That’s an invitation we just can’t refuse!

  19. One thing that struck me in this familiar passage of Jesus at the wedding in Cana , maybe because I’m nearer the end of my life, is that comment the steward said , that the host saved the best wine for the last. And I thought, that’s true! He saved me for all eternity, to be with Him forever. He’s faithfully walked me through life’s ups and downs , unfailingly merciful and loving. And we will have the best, like that choice wine at Cana, the ultimate joy when He calls us home .

    2. Oh Lenora thank you for sharing such an inspiring point of view!!! I’ll remember this as I also walk in the last stage of my life. 🍃

  20. I love that the master of the banquet did not know where the wine had come from. But the servants knew. The ones in the thick of helping, serving, and doing the lowly things. May my heart always be postured to serve and witness the amazing works of Jesus.

  21. from a distance I have seen your up & down but by God’s grace he has brought through them

  22. OBEDIENCE is what shouted out to me today. It is so easy to make our own plans, forgetting or ignoring what God says for us to do. I want to focus more on what God has planned for me rather than my “great” plans.

  23. Agreed. AI summed up my thoughts perfectly, “He has a complete and unwavering certainty in His own power, plan, and goodness, never doubting His ability to achieve His purposes, demonstrating a sense of absolute authority and trust in His own divine nature, even in the face of challenges or uncertainties.”

    Look at all the opportunities He had to be prideful, abuse His power or change His mind and say forget you people. Instead he focuses on his “zeal for His house…” and fulfillment of his purpose to save us (“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”)

  25. “Woman, why do you involve me?” “My hour has not yet come.” I’m in awe with the way Jesus responds to Mary. Making me think, how many times have i responded this way? Justifying, our lack of obedience with “our time has not yet come” Yet, Jesus (who is our example to follow) still obeyed.
    Father God, thank you for your living word, for your son who came to this earth to bring salvation. Forgive me for the times i’ve let other things take priority in my life.
    Jesus you are my friend, my good shepherd, examine and purify my heart while leading me into your purpose.
    In Jesus name, amen!

  27. If any of y’all could please pray for me it it would be a lot! I’ve been struggling and falling into the same sin of gossip, slander, and cussing in my life. I want to purify my ways and fully surrender my sinful ways to God and fully follow Him In all I do. Please pray for me🙏🏻🩷

    1. I am praying for you now, Haley–asking God to act on your behalf as you’ve lifted your prayer to His throne. Take courage, dear sister, and know that He wants the best for you–the very things you have requested. I join you in your request–know that He hears, He cares, and He is able to do all that we ask in His Name.

  28. Who is Jesus to me is that he is the one who was obedient to Gods plan as we acknowledge the truth on how we see in our point of view that his resurrection is similar to all military who gave up their lives for freedom.

  29. Who is Jesus to me is that he is the one who was obedient to Gods plan as we acknowledge the truth on how we see in our point of view that his resurrection is similar to all military who gave up their lives for freedom.

  31. Jesus, I believe in you and I submit to your plan for my life. Forgive me for my impurity, and help me live a more pure life for you.

  32. Thank you Father, despite my countless impurities and failures, You still love me with open arms and remind me that there is always a place for me with You. I trust in You and Your plan for me and those around me. I will forever and always remember how you sent Your Son, Jesus, down for us so we could have this ray of light and hope, even admist the darkness. Thank you, and in Jesus’ name, amen.

  33. I sought the Lord. And He heard. And He answered. That’s why I trust Him. He will never fail.

    I want to be closer to Him than ever before. He meets me right where we left off. He amazes me and I fall in love with Him more and more. There is no one like my God!

  34. I am blessed to know Jesus as My Friend!
    So grateful that my parents were Christian examples and encouraged me in my early days as I learned about My Friend.

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