YOUTH STS LESSON 130 CHRIST’S FIRST MIRACLE AND CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE
MEMORY VERSE: “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him” (John 2:11).
TEXT: John 2:1-25
Miracles are supernatural manifestations that are beyond human explanation, comprehension or reasoning.
As Jesus started His earthly ministry, He was invited to a wedding ceremony in a city called Cana of Galilee.
There Jesus performed His first recorded miracle by turning water to wine.
Question 1: Mention other miracles that were performed by Jesus during His earthly. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). There were other miracles performed by Jesus during His earthly ministry: He opened the eyes of the blind, raised the dead, cleansed the lepers, made the lame to walk and many other uncountable miracles (John 21:25).
The Scripture says He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He still performs miracles for those who believe, obey and trust Him. “After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days” (verse 12). From Capernaum, He visited the temple (house of God) in Jerusalem. On getting there, He discovered that instead of the house of prayer, the people turned it to a trading centre and a den of thieves (Luke 19:46). As a holy God who is of a purer eye than to behold iniquity, Jesus was not happy with them but drove them out. Jesus “said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise” (verse 16).
DIVINE PROVISION FOR THE NEEDY (John 2:1-11; Luke 9:13; Numbers 20:11; Exodus 16:12-16; Proverbs 23:29-35)
“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage” (verses 1,2). Jesus honoured the invitation to the occasion because marriage is a God approved institution. Christian youths are not expected to honour any invitation to ungodly gathering where sin, violence, immorality and sensuality is promoted and encouraged. Places such as night clubs, ungodly carnivals and any other unholy gatherings should also be avoided. However, ceremonies like wedding, child dedication, graduation, etc., can be attended if we are invited. In ungodly gatherings, God’s provision of security and protection are not guaranteed. “And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine” (verse 3). As the ceremony went on, their wine finished and Jesus’s mother indirectly made a request on behalf of the couple for Him to provide them wine.
Question 2: What are the conditions to be fulfilled in order to enjoy God’s provision?
“His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (verse 5). Christian youths can draw some lessons from this study on how to enjoy divine provision in all areas of life.
One, God’s presence – God the Son (Jesus) was present at the occasion and that led to the miracle. Everywhere Jesus goes to, miracles always follow. Youth must, therefore, seek and invite His presence into their lives endeavours and projects.
Two, the power of prayer mother of Jesus made a request to Jesus about the lack of wine. You must cultivate the habit of praying and asking God through the name of Jesus to supply all needs. “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you” (John 16:23).
Three, the priority of obedience – the servants were obedient to Christ’s instruction. “His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (verse 5) Also, “Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim” (verse 7). Obedience brings blessings and abundant provision from God. Youths must learn to obey the Lord to experience unprecedented miracles in their lives. Jesus’ feeding the multitude with just five loaves and two fishes was also as a result of the obedience of the disciples in carrying out simple instructions (Luke 9:12-16).
Four, the prominence of faith in Christ produces miracles. To experience great provision and miracles, youths must learn to trust God. We must rest on the promises and power of God to supply all our needs. Whatever is the need in your life, career, finance, etc., the word of God assures us that “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ” (Philippians 4:19). You must note that the wine provided by Jesus Christ was not alcoholic. He is a good Lord and will not provide what will destroy or poison people. Alcoholic drinks are bad, sinful, intoxicating and destructive.
No believing youth should drink or buy them for others. Woes, wounds, misery and hurts are the portion of those that take alcoholic drinks. “Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder” (Proverbs 23:29-33).
DESECRATION AND POLLUTION OF THE TEMPLE(John 2:12-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17)
After this, He went down to Capernaum with His mother, brethren and disciples (verse 12). On getting to Jerusalem. Jesus discovered that the temple of God was being abused and misused by the people. “And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves and the changers of money sitting” (verse 14).
Question 3: Mention the ways youths desecrate the house of God today.
Many youths, have turned the house of God to a place of misbehaviour. Some make noise while the service is in progress; others play carelessly with their phones, litter the house of God with dirts and deface the walls and chairs of the church. Many turn the house of God to a place of fashion parade, immoral talks and relationship, and do many other ungodly things. However, you must know that God is not happy with such attitudes.
Question 4: What should be the attitude of saved youths to those who desecrate God’s house?
“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” (verse 15). Jesus did not approve, indulge nor commend those that polluted His house; He drove them out. As saved youths, we must not accept, approve or allow any form of pollution in the house of God. We must correct those who offend in love. You can also report such people to the leaders and church authorities. If you are in the habit of desecrating God’s house in any way, repent today and ask for cleansing in the blood. More so, you must note that our body is the temple of God. We are not to desecrate or pollute it with sin; we are to keep our bodies holy.
“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). The judgement of God awaits those who refuse to stop the act of polluting His house, whether His spiritual temple (our body) or His physical temple (the church building). “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Corinthians 3:17). “And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (verse 17). We must have zeal for the Lord and His service at all times (Titus 2:14).
DECLARATION AND PROPHECY OF CHRIST’S DEATH (John 2:18-25)
The Jews wanted Jesus to give them a sign or evidence that He is the Messiah when they saw the zeal with which He cleansed the temple. To their amazement, instead of giving them a sign, He gave them a prophecy concerning His death and resurrection. “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (verse 19). This brought confusion to the Jews because they thought that He was talking to them about the physical temple. “Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?” (verse 20). But Jesus spoke about his death and resurrection.
Carnal mind cannot understand the things of the Spirit. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Those who approach God’s word with carnal mind cannot appreciate the deep truths revealed in it.
We must come before God in repentance and total surrender to Christ to benefit maximally from His words. Many people believed in Christ at Jerusalem when they saw the miracles he performed. Gospel ministers must realise the need for power and anointing for a successful world evangelisation. Many times, miracles, signs and wonders seem to be the drawing cord for many people into the Kingdom. However, Jesus knew the shallowness of some of these miracle seekers, which was why He did not commit himself to them. We must learn wisdom from Christ here.
We need wisdom to relate and discern how to handle people who come to church as converts and visitors. You must be careful not to commit yourself, life, movement and sensitive information about you to them. Mixed multitude among Christ’s followers were only interested in the miracles and signs. The basis of our service to God must be on what He has done for us on the cross at Calvary.
It should not be based on what we have to gain or benefit. In conclusion, miracles are still happening today. To experience it, you need to have a right relationship with God and faith in His word. Believe God for your provision; “for with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).