WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.679 Well, in John chapter 2, we have heard of these two feasts. 00:00:05.820 --> 00:00:07.100 Did you catch that, children? 00:00:07.600 --> 00:00:11.700 Two feasts. One is the wedding feast, and the other is the Passover feasts. 00:00:12.339 --> 00:00:14.679 John puts them back to back to set up a contrast. 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:20.539 I want to show you today, walking through this whole chapter as best we can, 00:00:21.219 --> 00:00:25.280 the wedding, it's in an out-of-the-way place, a small town. 00:00:25.740 --> 00:00:26.780 It's among the poor. 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:31.140 However, the people are extremely simple, yet they are generous and joyful. 00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:32.060 I want to show you why. 00:00:33.060 --> 00:00:35.740 And it represents a wedding. Think about what a wedding represents. 00:00:35.900 --> 00:00:37.299 It represents new beginnings. 00:00:38.439 --> 00:00:41.380 It's a time of trust and bonding. 00:00:42.160 --> 00:00:47.620 And what we see then in the response of the servants and of the disciples is that they believe and obey. 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:51.020 That's the wedding. What a glorious picture of the gospel. 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:54.359 And then the Passover feast is very different. 00:00:54.359 --> 00:00:57.539 The Passover takes place in a powerful city. 00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:02.240 It's at the heart, the very city center, the temple itself. 00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:11.019 And it's a place that's been gated and guarded off by the powerful, the manipulative, the rich and elite that are greedy. 00:01:11.019 --> 00:01:17.399 And as the people approach this feast, they're met with not joy and trust and hope. 00:01:17.719 --> 00:01:19.479 They experience frustration. 00:01:20.479 --> 00:01:25.239 And the zeal of the Lord consumes Jesus when he sees that. 00:01:26.420 --> 00:01:31.179 And his actions at the wedding feast to bless and to sweeten their celebration, 00:01:31.180 --> 00:01:35.100 it's foiled by this contrast at the Passover. 00:01:35.700 --> 00:01:38.880 What he does there is he overturns that old establishment. 00:01:39.400 --> 00:01:45.280 And he shows what you have turned this religion into is so far removed from the heart of God. 00:01:45.660 --> 00:01:50.000 So I believe this, and I just want to give it to you up front and then walk you through to try to prove it to you. 00:01:50.460 --> 00:01:53.600 I believe this whole chapter is getting at the heart. 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:56.519 Did you catch how this wonderful passage ends? 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:57.599 Jesus knew. 00:01:57.640 --> 00:01:58.519 Look at the very last verse. 00:01:58.679 --> 00:01:59.539 Jesus knew what? 00:02:01.579 --> 00:02:04.179 He knew what was in the heart of man. 00:02:04.500 --> 00:02:08.159 That's what God has always been after is the heart of his people. 00:02:08.579 --> 00:02:10.359 So I want to try to prove to you this. 00:02:11.639 --> 00:02:16.759 The cleansing blood of Christ abounds for you. 00:02:17.459 --> 00:02:19.659 That's what the feast of the wedding is about. 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:24.439 That's what Christ's zeal is burning to show you when he comes to the temple. 00:02:24.859 --> 00:02:28.800 The cleansing blood of Jesus Christ abounds. 00:02:29.019 --> 00:02:30.699 That means there's an abundance. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:31.439 There's plenty. 00:02:31.579 --> 00:02:32.579 You will never run out. 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:36.340 It abounds for you today, church, as well. 00:02:38.019 --> 00:02:42.319 And now here's why I hope you will pay attention to these words from John 2. 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:53.319 If you choose to ignore a life-saving sign, you can expect to suffer tragic loss. 00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:56.060 That's a true statement. 00:02:56.239 --> 00:02:56.780 We know that. 00:02:57.299 --> 00:03:02.479 If you choose to ignore a life-saving sign, you can expect to suffer tragic loss. 00:03:02.859 --> 00:03:04.780 This is a real headline one month ago. 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:16.039 Subway surfer, age 15, has arm ripped off after staying on subway car when it went through a tunnel. 00:03:17.639 --> 00:03:23.840 If you choose to ignore a life-saving sign, you can expect to suffer tragic loss. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:28.280 His arm had to be shorn off. 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:29.020 There's the verb. 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:31.120 Shorn off below the elbow. 00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:37.740 Because as he was riding this subway, maybe for fun or maybe just to get a free ride around New York, 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:40.500 this happened in the borough of Queens. 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:41.240 He was looking around. 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:43.340 Didn't see the obvious life-saving sign. 00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:44.180 There's the platform. 00:03:44.360 --> 00:03:45.280 There's the sign for it. 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:46.939 That was his moment to jump off. 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:50.580 And he stayed on that subway car illegally, subway surfing. 00:03:50.580 --> 00:03:53.320 And another train passed by and tore off his arm. 00:03:54.700 --> 00:03:58.320 Well, I think you can appreciate that's a true fact in life. 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:00.760 Now, let me make the connection for you. 00:04:01.040 --> 00:04:05.780 If you choose to ignore God's wondrous works, what do we mean by that? 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:10.300 The Latin term is magnalia dei, the wondrous works of God. 00:04:10.740 --> 00:04:17.240 And it's his signs in creation and his word which reveals and explains what he's about. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:23.120 If you choose to ignore that, you can expect to suffer tragic loss as well. 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:27.759 We're told in John chapter 2, these two events are signs. 00:04:28.519 --> 00:04:30.360 And the sign points to something. 00:04:30.579 --> 00:04:35.340 It signifies there's something important you must attend to and respond to. 00:04:36.579 --> 00:04:39.680 God reveals himself through signs throughout all the Bible. 00:04:40.280 --> 00:04:43.800 The word of God gives meaning to what was taking place. 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:46.199 So revelation is really just that. 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:47.959 It's unveiling God's glory. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:50.099 Moses, think about it. 00:04:50.159 --> 00:04:52.000 Moses turned water into blood. 00:04:52.479 --> 00:04:54.939 That was a sign that only God provides. 00:04:55.060 --> 00:04:57.500 His people should not set their hearts on Egypt. 00:04:58.339 --> 00:05:00.459 They should not put their false hopes on that. 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:02.599 The Egyptians put their hopes on the Nile River. 00:05:02.759 --> 00:05:03.459 It turned to blood. 00:05:03.959 --> 00:05:04.719 They got death. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:06.360 A different example. 00:05:06.519 --> 00:05:12.680 God told that wicked leprous general, Naaman, to dip seven times into the muddy Jordan River 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:14.899 to be cleansed of his leprosy. 00:05:14.899 --> 00:05:16.419 Children, do you know what leprosy is? 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:19.219 Well, leprosy is a horrible disease. 00:05:19.679 --> 00:05:20.879 Your skin turns white. 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:23.099 It's extremely painful. 00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:26.299 And then if really there was no cure in the ancient days, 00:05:26.359 --> 00:05:30.859 and so eventually it would start to deteriorate the periphery of your limbs, 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:35.600 and you would start to lose, your nose would fall off, your ears would fall off, your fingers would fall off. 00:05:36.379 --> 00:05:38.199 And the Lord said, I'll give you a sign. 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:43.520 You dip into the muddy Jordan River as a response of faith, and you'll be cleansed. 00:05:43.519 --> 00:05:46.560 Because that's the point of God's signs. 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:52.039 He gives them to unveil his glory to sinners like you and me so that we can be forgiven. 00:05:52.859 --> 00:05:54.319 And leprosy is a picture of sin. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:06:03.480 So in this context of John 2, the theme of cleansing and the signs that God will give to a people who know they need cleansing, 00:06:03.779 --> 00:06:06.639 that's really what's at the heart of his message. 00:06:07.719 --> 00:06:09.199 Jesus wants them to know this. 00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:15.819 Believe in the one whose cleansing blood abounds, and you will have life. 00:06:15.819 --> 00:06:19.860 All right, well, let's walk through our passage. 00:06:19.980 --> 00:06:20.920 I want to show this to you. 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:23.060 Let's start in chapter 2, verse 1. 00:06:26.779 --> 00:06:27.860 Verse 1 we read, 00:06:28.779 --> 00:06:29.819 On the third day. 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:33.480 Now, if you trace your finger back up through chapter 1, 00:06:34.159 --> 00:06:35.480 you'll notice how he does this. 00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:38.199 He's been marking out for us this time. 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:40.459 You know, time is passing, day after day after day. 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:43.079 So, I'll give you a couple examples. 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:44.279 Look at verse 29. 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:45.699 The next day. 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:47.480 So, John chapter 1, verse 29. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:48.180 The next day. 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:49.920 Then skip down to verse 35. 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:50.939 John 1, 35. 00:06:51.139 --> 00:06:51.860 The next day. 00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:53.439 Then skip down to 43. 00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:54.379 The next day. 00:06:54.740 --> 00:06:56.379 So, he's picking up, counting time. 00:06:56.920 --> 00:06:57.920 And in chapter 2, he says, 00:06:58.040 --> 00:06:59.920 On the third day, which was typically counted. 00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:02.500 That previous day we're referring about is day one. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:03.560 One day in the middle. 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:04.779 And now we're on day three. 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:07.500 And that's why Christ was, you know, buried for three days. 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:09.259 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday he rose. 00:07:09.579 --> 00:07:10.759 He counts as the three days. 00:07:10.899 --> 00:07:15.139 So, if you trace back from John 1 to now, the beginning of John 2, 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:19.860 scholars have understood this to mean that he's counted out six days. 00:07:19.860 --> 00:07:23.199 So, the day of this wedding feast would most likely be Friday. 00:07:24.080 --> 00:07:30.080 At least in this literary sense of counting up to that last day of creation, the new creation theme. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:35.959 So, remember, this is taking place on a Friday, the day before the Sabbath of the Jews. 00:07:36.479 --> 00:07:40.579 And we read there that the mother of Jesus was there and the disciples also invited. 00:07:41.459 --> 00:07:44.139 But then wine runs out. 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:45.259 Verses 1, 2, and 3. 00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:48.479 So, it's an out-of-the-way place. 00:07:48.599 --> 00:07:51.539 Cana, probably nine miles north of Nazareth. 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:56.379 So, a good walk, but you could walk there from where Jesus grew up and where Mary, his mother, lived. 00:07:57.100 --> 00:08:00.480 Most likely, then, this would have been a relative of her, someone that lived close by. 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:03.580 Mary's the first one to know that they ran out of wine. 00:08:03.700 --> 00:08:06.220 And what happens if one of your relatives is having a wedding? 00:08:06.640 --> 00:08:08.300 All the relatives show up and help. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:11.840 So, she's keeping an eye and serving probably close to the preparation area. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:13.720 So, she notices they ran out of wine. 00:08:14.460 --> 00:08:16.379 And then Mary approaches Jesus. 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:18.980 And she tells Jesus they've run out of wine. 00:08:18.980 --> 00:08:22.280 The mother of Jesus said to him, 00:08:22.520 --> 00:08:23.300 They have no wine. 00:08:23.540 --> 00:08:24.060 Verse 3. 00:08:24.660 --> 00:08:27.580 Now, in Mark chapter 6, early in Jesus' ministry, 00:08:28.300 --> 00:08:29.980 he was called the carpenter. 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:32.379 In other places, he's called son of the carpenter. 00:08:32.800 --> 00:08:34.440 But it's possible that by this time, 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:37.180 Jesus has now inherited his father's contracts. 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:38.259 And he's a builder. 00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:41.960 And he goes as a carpenter to help frame up new constructions. 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:44.360 So, now he's no longer the son of the carpenter. 00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:45.480 He's the carpenter. 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:49.000 So, it'd be normal for Mary to view him as the provider of their family. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:52.539 And this is something that their larger family, their relatives, would feel shame over. 00:08:52.940 --> 00:08:54.480 Probably for years to come. 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:56.580 Maybe for the rest of this married couple's life. 00:08:56.800 --> 00:08:59.639 That they had run out of wine at this celebration. 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:01.740 Now, verses 4 and 5. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:04.060 Jesus calls her woman. 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:05.460 And he says, 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:07.700 What does this have to do with me? 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:08.980 And the phrase, 00:09:09.180 --> 00:09:09.779 What does this? 00:09:09.820 --> 00:09:10.860 It could also be translated, 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:12.840 What do you have to do with me? 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:16.060 The way that Jesus speaks to his mother, 00:09:16.420 --> 00:09:17.700 It does a couple of things. 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:18.940 It distances himself. 00:09:19.139 --> 00:09:21.660 He's not calling her mommy or mother. 00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:23.320 He's calling her woman. 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:28.820 We should not think that this is disrespectful in their culture. 00:09:28.920 --> 00:09:29.899 It would be more like saying, 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:30.420 Ma'am. 00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:33.220 You know, and children, if you're raised with civility, 00:09:33.899 --> 00:09:35.100 Your mother tells you to do something, 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:35.940 You say, Yes, ma'am. 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:36.300 You know. 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:37.879 So, Jesus calls her woman. 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:40.480 But I think there's even more theology here. 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:44.139 Because remember, John's writing this probably toward the very end of his life. 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:45.500 He's looking back and remembering. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:48.879 And he was the one entrusted to care for Mary, the mother of Jesus. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:50.600 So, he knows her very well. 00:09:50.920 --> 00:09:53.200 And even John is distancing himself a little bit. 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:57.019 He's not calling her Sacred Mary or Hail Mary. 00:09:57.340 --> 00:09:58.879 The Reformers made a big deal about this. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:01.480 There's an important and theological distance. 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:07.340 She was the vessel, the person God used to bring the God-man into the earth. 00:10:07.340 --> 00:10:08.879 But she is not to be worshipped. 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:11.840 Even more than that, Sinclair Ferguson helped me to see. 00:10:12.300 --> 00:10:14.600 This reference to Mary as the woman, 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:18.300 That should remind you of Genesis 3.15. 00:10:18.700 --> 00:10:19.940 Remember that glorious promise? 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:22.120 It's that the seed of who? 00:10:22.920 --> 00:10:27.860 The seed of the woman would bring forth the one who would crush the serpent's head. 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:31.519 And Mary was not offended by this at all. 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:34.519 In fact, look at her reaction, her response. 00:10:35.659 --> 00:10:36.840 Verses 4 and 5. 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:41.000 Mary says, go and do whatever he tells you to do. 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:47.120 Now, Jesus, by this response and by what Jesus says, 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:51.059 I think that both Mary and Jesus had the same expectation in mind. 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:54.460 Jesus says, my hour has not yet come. 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:55.059 Do you see that? 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:57.720 Jesus says, my hour has not yet come. 00:10:57.960 --> 00:11:00.699 Look how else John uses that phrase later in the same gospel. 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.820 John chapter 12. 00:11:02.520 --> 00:11:04.460 He tells us this in verse 27. 00:11:05.160 --> 00:11:07.780 Now is my soul is troubled, said Jesus. 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:09.379 And what shall I say? 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:12.140 Father, save me from this hour. 00:11:12.900 --> 00:11:16.660 But for this purpose, I have come to this hour. 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:19.540 So when Jesus talks about his hour, 00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:25.600 he is thinking about the hour where he will lay down his life for the forgiveness of sins. 00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:29.259 And Mary, he says to Mary, who am I to you? 00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:30.080 What is this to you? 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:31.100 Who am I to you? 00:11:31.780 --> 00:11:32.860 Are you the seed of the woman? 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:34.620 Do you still believe that by faith? 00:11:34.800 --> 00:11:36.520 What the angel told you, Mary? 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:40.580 And she responds, go and do whatever he tells you to do. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:43.400 You know, it's like her version of my Lord and my God. 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:46.080 He will be the one whose hour will come. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:48.860 And therefore, he's bringing God's kingdom now. 00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:51.800 Our duty is to obey whatever he says. 00:11:52.300 --> 00:11:54.360 What a great example we have of faith. 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:56.240 Now look at verses six and seven. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:12:02.980 We're told that what Jesus told these servants to do was to fill six jars. 00:12:03.520 --> 00:12:06.180 Picture big stone jars with water. 00:12:06.780 --> 00:12:08.759 And you see how much water each one could contain. 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:09.920 They're full to the brim. 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:14.199 That would equal about 150 gallons of water. 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:18.759 Now, here's something that I was very curious about. 00:12:19.140 --> 00:12:25.400 Why at this wedding feast are there these 150 gallons worth of stone vessels just sitting around? 00:12:25.399 --> 00:12:35.939 And it was so interesting for me to learn this, that before a wedding, people that are doing their best to follow the ceremonial law that God gave them through Moses, 00:12:36.939 --> 00:12:42.100 they would make sure that the bride would be especially cleansed before the wedding celebration. 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:47.819 So the ritual bath that a bride would take before her wedding was called the mikvah. 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:50.360 And that still happens today among Orthodox Jews. 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:55.980 So it's possible that these vessels for cleansing were used not only for other ritual cleansing, 00:12:56.200 --> 00:13:00.139 but especially to cleanse the bride right before this wedding celebration. 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:03.639 Now, the number six, why were there six stone jars? 00:13:04.340 --> 00:13:12.639 The number six, again, him using it this way, was less about the water, more about the literature that he's trying to build and show that in all that God has revealed and done, 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:16.180 everything points directly to Christ. 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:18.820 The number six, there are six of these vessels. 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:19.779 That's significant. 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:23.120 What day of creation was Adam and Eve made? 00:13:24.039 --> 00:13:28.480 Day number six, right before the Lord said it was all very good and the Lord rested. 00:13:29.060 --> 00:13:33.240 So day six has always been in the mind of the Jews, man's day. 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:34.560 That's the day when man was made. 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:35.379 What's day seven? 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:35.960 The Sabbath? 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.180 That's the Lord's day. 00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:38.680 Day six is for man. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:42.519 And man will always come short of the glory of God. 00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:45.000 So six means we're not full. 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:46.200 We're not complete yet. 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:53.980 And when you think about even in the book of Revelation, the number six, six, six, it represents a lack of thorough lack of completeness. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:58.340 Man's religion will always come short without the grace of God. 00:13:58.340 --> 00:14:01.100 So there are six of these, one less than complete. 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:05.100 And it also shows that there is something further needed. 00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:07.660 This ceremonial cleansing brought them to this point. 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:12.919 And now the, just like the wedding ceremony is going to be consummated by the couple. 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:14.939 There is something further needed. 00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:18.900 Well, look at verse eight and nine next. 00:14:21.060 --> 00:14:27.580 We're told simply that this miraculous event was not, it was not done like a cheap circus act. 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:31.000 In fact, it could not be more subtle and downplayed. 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:35.540 The fact that God, that God, Jesus Christ, transformed water into wine. 00:14:35.920 --> 00:14:38.340 And God could have done it without using water at all. 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:45.300 He could have simply said those empty vessels would be full of wine, but he wanted them to fill them with wine, with water first. 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.940 And then he transformed the water. 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:50.080 So there's significance in what Christ did. 00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:53.240 The water turns to wine. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:57.120 I want to draw your attention. 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:59.460 John chapter 19, verse 34. 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:02.160 We have this mixture of water with wine. 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:05.340 Once more, we're told this, that one of the soldiers, 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:09.060 as Christ is hanging on the cross, took a spear. 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:14.060 And with that spear, he's, he pierced Jesus's side. 00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:18.899 And at once there came out blood and water. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:22.680 And some have said Jesus never fully died on the cross. 00:15:23.160 --> 00:15:24.200 Maybe it was a swoon. 00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:30.820 Well, the heart right here on this left side is enveloped by a sack that, 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:34.460 if there is water in the sack to protect the heart, 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:36.900 and then the heart becomes pierced. 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:40.400 The blood from the heart will mix with the water. 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:44.400 So as his heart is pierced, it verifies biologically he was dead. 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:49.480 His heart was now draining out water mixed with wine. 00:15:50.040 --> 00:15:53.400 That's how the same apostle uses water and wine together. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:58.120 And you remember, what was the first sign that God did through Moses 00:15:58.120 --> 00:16:01.120 as he was bringing his people out of bondage and slavery? 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:05.519 Moses touched the Nile River with the staff, 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:08.579 and the Lord turned the water into blood. 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:12.059 So wine is to remind you of blood. 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:14.279 And there's life in the blood. 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:18.759 And without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. 00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:22.039 Do you see how John is weaving through these rich gospel themes? 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:27.279 And he's saying, behold, the new and greater Moses is among you. 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:31.980 His first sign is to pave the way for your forgiveness. 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:35.099 Now look at verses 10 and 11. 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:41.179 It's interesting that we're told the only ones who saw this sign of Christ's glory 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:43.959 were the servants who filled the jars with water, 00:16:44.599 --> 00:16:47.939 and the groom, I'm sorry, servants of the groom. 00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:51.939 And probably the groom did not know, neither did his main master of the feast. 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:55.439 But the disciples noticed the sign, and they believed, we're told. 00:16:57.099 --> 00:16:58.980 So this is significant as well. 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:03.599 The pronouncement that you have saved the best for last, 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:06.440 and that this humble groom who ran out of money 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:09.599 and was going to be put to shame and exposed before all, 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.019 you have honored him. 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:17.660 And so we're told that is how Jesus began that public ministry with these signs, 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:21.099 that they point to more than just what God did as a miracle. 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:23.160 One scholar, Alistair Roberts, said, 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.400 Signs are more than miracles. 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:28.559 Beyond being powerful acts, they reveal something of Christ. 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:33.339 We see beyond the spectacle to the significance of what is taking place. 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:35.359 So let's try to pull it together. 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:38.919 What was it that this first sign revealed about Christ? 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.980 What is the significance? 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:46.779 Jesus wants these people to know that it's blood that brings true cleansing. 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:51.139 The waters would not cleanse their soul before a holy God. 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:55.599 That was a ceremonial preparation, a picture of a greater work that was to come. 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:59.279 It would take the wine, the blood of Christ, 00:17:59.419 --> 00:18:01.579 to truly cleanse them and bring forgiveness. 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:07.500 And he wants them to know there is wine or blood of Christ in abundance. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:10.259 150 gallons filled to the brim. 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:11.799 You will never run out. 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:16.559 His blood is for you who trust in him alone 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:21.179 to provide all you need for life and godliness in him. 00:18:22.679 --> 00:18:25.740 Turning water to wine means that Christ came to transform 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:29.980 the old ceremonial external requirements of the law. 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:33.180 And he wants to make it something that will be in your heart. 00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:35.740 The blood of Christ is for your soul. 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.220 It's for the inner man. 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:40.980 It's like wine that you consume and it warms you 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:44.460 and it's now inside of you and it brings you joy. 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:47.660 That's what the gospel of Jesus does. 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:52.440 That's how much greater the blood of Christ is over the law of man. 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:57.860 In 2 Corinthians 5.17 we read that the old has passed away. 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:00.160 Behold, the new has come. 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:03.620 Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, 00:19:03.840 --> 00:19:06.779 we regard him thus no longer. 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:11.700 Yes, Christ came on the earth, but he's now exalted in a glorified body 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:14.740 and his blood is effectual for you. 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.559 His once for all sacrifice, 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:20.500 where he poured out his blood on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins, 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:22.339 ushered in a new creation, 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:25.420 a new kingdom that is spiritual in nature. 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.420 And therefore he concludes, 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:30.059 if anyone is in Christ, he is. 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:34.420 Right now, today, you are a new creation. 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.279 How can that be? 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:40.259 Christ put himself under the law. 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:44.579 He fulfilled all the moral, civil, and ceremonial law for you. 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:48.500 He did not get rid of the water of the ceremonial cleansing, 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:49.759 but he transformed it. 00:19:50.179 --> 00:19:51.220 He fulfilled the law. 00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:56.139 The old covenant waters of purification are now made to be 00:19:56.139 --> 00:20:01.399 the very thing that gathers his people to celebrate the wedding feast of the Lamb. 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:06.619 And why is it significant that this happened on the sixth day, Friday? 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:12.639 Well, it was on Good Friday that our Lord spilled his blood for the forgiveness of sins 00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:14.179 to cleanse his people. 00:20:16.199 --> 00:20:18.079 And who is this good news for? 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:23.079 Who is it that can see this as a sign of spiritual salvation? 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:30.199 It's for you, if you're like those who look to Christ as your provider, like Mary. 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.679 Lord, we have run out. 00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:34.039 We have no more. 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:36.980 Every day I run out by the end of the day. 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:39.139 Lord, I come to you once more, Jesus. 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:41.480 You are my provider. 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.200 Then his blood is for you. 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:47.059 And it's for whoever obeys what he says, like these servants. 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:50.279 Go and fill those water vessels to the brim. 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.079 Then this promise is for you. 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:54.079 You will get to behold the sign. 00:20:54.639 --> 00:20:56.440 He's called you to obey and you've responded. 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:59.079 You've not ignored this life-saving sign. 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:02.460 And it's for you. 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:05.079 If you're a disciple of Jesus, you're walking with him. 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:10.240 You get to behold the wonderful works of God every day. 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.839 What does that look like in the simple ways? 00:21:13.939 --> 00:21:16.460 It means that your eyes are open and you're paying attention. 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:22.200 And maybe it's one of your children that you've been praying for every single day. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:28.819 Confessing sin on their own, not without anything from a person, nothing external. 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:31.600 It's the Holy Spirit working in their life. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:34.299 You just beheld a wondrous work of God. 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.799 Maybe it's in your own sanctification. 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:39.160 You feel like you have run out. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:41.259 You have no more strength to fight sin. 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:45.819 And God says to you, I am your provider. 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.759 Look to me. 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:49.079 I take simple vessels like you. 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:52.799 And I fill you to the brim with my Holy Spirit. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.400 And I cleanse you. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:56.220 Not from the outside with the law. 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.599 I cleanse you from the inside. 00:21:58.200 --> 00:22:01.079 I transform the very content of your soul. 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:05.660 If you are a jar of clay, a vessel that belongs to me. 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:09.259 Martin Luther said, where our trust is, 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:11.420 what is, there is our God. 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:14.460 So here at this poor wedding in an out of place way, 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:16.299 these, you could say nobodies, 00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:19.700 they don't even have enough to have a decent wedding without running out. 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:23.980 They were the ones who got to taste the sweet wine of heaven. 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:28.700 They were the ones who got to celebrate and see this humble groom be honored. 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:32.619 And you got to see this bride who had been cleansed ceremonially now 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:36.160 be the very picture of the bride of Christ, the church. 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:39.560 What a glorious gospel we have. 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:42.279 We're told in verse 11, 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:45.180 his disciples believed in him. 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:48.060 In John 7, verse 38, we read, 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.840 whoever believes in me, 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:51.320 as the scripture has said, 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:55.940 out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:59.100 So here's the sign for you. 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.360 Do you see the sign, 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:01.420 this work of Christ? 00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:03.140 You must do like the disciples. 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:09.019 You must believe in the one who's cleansing blood abounds for you. 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.660 How does God do it? 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:15.480 God cleanses your record against him as the holy God. 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:20.820 He declares you to be righteous by the finished work of Christ on the cross. 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:23.819 He has washed you clean by the blood of the lamb. 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:29.939 Jesus also cleanses your conscience and unites you to himself and your baptism. 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:33.659 Here's water and blood mixed together once again at baptism. 00:23:34.419 --> 00:23:35.980 Think about what baptism is. 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.579 On the outside, 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:41.099 your flesh is being dipped in the water like a ceremonial cleansing, 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:45.980 preparing you for the consummation with your groom, Jesus Christ. 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:51.880 Christ and you rise up out of those waters as a new creation and you are given his name. 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:55.839 You are now in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:57.980 You belong to the bride, his church, 00:23:58.019 --> 00:24:01.240 just like a bride being married takes on the name of the groom. 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:03.240 That's what you get at baptism, 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:06.099 but he does not stop cleansing you by his blood. 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:08.960 God also cleanses your desires. 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:12.299 And he promises if you truly are engrafted, 00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:13.640 united to Christ, 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:16.039 you will bear fruit in your life, 00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:18.640 the fruit of the spirit from the inside, 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:20.660 the fruit of the kingdom of heaven, 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:23.539 the wine of heaven inside of you now bearing fruit. 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:27.819 And that's what the spirit delights to do every day you're alive. 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:33.319 He is sanctifying you and he's cleansing you for the great day of consummation. 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:37.559 When Jesus Christ returns and his bride is made one with him, 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.899 not only spiritually, 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:42.879 but fully consummately when he rules forever. 00:24:44.919 --> 00:24:47.259 For who is this such good news for whom? 00:24:47.939 --> 00:24:48.700 Is it for me? 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:50.220 Could it be for a sinner like me? 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:52.279 If God knew my thoughts, 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.019 even today, 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.200 this week, 00:24:54.619 --> 00:25:02.899 the Bible says it's for whosoever believes in the one who's cleansing blood of balance. 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:04.360 This promise is for you. 00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:06.500 Well, 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:09.720 our transition comes then in verses 12 through 13. 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:10.519 Take a look there. 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.460 I want you to see, 00:25:12.540 --> 00:25:14.560 I believe this is a historical transition. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.200 In other words, 00:25:15.280 --> 00:25:18.860 this cleansing of the temple took place in this near event, 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.640 this near time, 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:21.880 because he says after that, 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:24.820 he left and then he stayed a few days and on his way. 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.780 And so those are, 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:27.019 those are historical words. 00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:27.300 It's, 00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:28.840 it's implying that there's real movement. 00:25:28.840 --> 00:25:30.080 And shortly thereafter, 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:32.560 Jesus goes from this remote town of a wedding, 00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:34.860 into the big city near the temple. 00:25:35.540 --> 00:25:36.700 And he comes to cleanse it. 00:25:37.340 --> 00:25:40.259 The reason I highlight that I believe this is a historical transition. 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:43.380 It truly happened soon is because all three other gospels, 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:43.720 Matthew, 00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:43.980 Mark, 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.380 and Luke, 00:25:44.780 --> 00:25:49.300 they only tell of one cleansing of the temple and they give it at the very end of his ministry, 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:51.019 right before his passion begins, 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:53.460 because he knows that by doing this act, 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:55.940 he will be arrested and taken and killed. 00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:59.000 But because John also gives us at the beginning, 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:01.299 I believe that there were two, 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:01.559 most, 00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:04.200 most scholars I've read believe there were two cleansings of the temple. 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:06.700 The second one was the final straw. 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:08.059 They were put up with this no longer. 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:10.059 And this first one was a sign. 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:11.500 It was a pronouncement. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:13.000 The second Moses is here, 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:16.059 he has come to cleanse the very thing you have corrupted. 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:19.859 So we're told Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:20.200 Now, 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.440 Jerusalem is on a hill. 00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:23.139 So the Psalms of Ascent, 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:25.240 they would sing them as they were approaching Jerusalem, 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:27.879 hiking up toward this city on a hill. 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:30.159 One of the mountains is called Zion. 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:35.899 And so Zion then becomes a picture and a reference point of the future kingdom of God come to earth. 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:37.179 And as they're ascending, 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:40.519 you can only imagine what is it that's going through Christ's mind. 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.480 Most likely he's, 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:45.159 he's meditating and that's memorized these Psalms of Ascent. 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:47.259 And they're setting the tone and they're, 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:50.320 they're really setting the focus of our Lord as he approaches. 00:26:50.800 --> 00:26:52.220 And in Matthew 23, 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:57.940 we have this really open eye opening insight into what Christ was feeling toward Jerusalem. 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.840 As he approached, 00:26:59.040 --> 00:27:00.000 we read, 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.400 Oh, 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.000 Jerusalem, 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:02.120 Jerusalem, 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:02.660 Christ, 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.140 Jesus, 00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:07.620 the city that kills the prophets and stones, 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:09.180 those who are sent to it. 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.900 And Jesus knows this is his fate, 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.640 not fate. 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:14.120 This is his providence. 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:16.479 This is what God has laid out as the path. 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.539 He will walk. 00:27:17.979 --> 00:27:26.099 He will join this great line of those who reveal the true God to the people so that all would come to him and he'll do it to his very death. 00:27:26.479 --> 00:27:28.539 And then we're told that the Passover was at hand. 00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:33.559 It's estimated that there were over 200,000 people participating. 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:37.119 As the crowds would have been gathering. 00:27:37.419 --> 00:27:38.740 I just want to try to set the scene. 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:40.179 It would have been extremely loud. 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:44.299 The scene that's going to be described is probably in the outer courts, 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:45.819 which was a place where the Gentiles, 00:27:45.899 --> 00:27:48.559 that was as close as they could get to the Holy God. 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:51.899 And Jesus is seeing this money, 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.779 money changing. 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:56.879 He's seeing all these animals come and it's the festivities have begun. 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:59.519 The blood is spilling down this canal. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:03.599 And that blood is for the cleansing of sinners. 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:07.399 It's for the forgiveness of sins of all who will come by faith in God, 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:15.679 trusting that God has given them a ceremonial way to be cleansed so their consciences can be at rest and they can enjoy the peace of God. 00:28:16.199 --> 00:28:17.919 And so here come the poor and the scattered, 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.059 even Gentiles, 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:21.599 flocking to the city from all around. 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:24.839 And Jesus is seeing this all take place. 00:28:25.219 --> 00:28:26.199 But what happens next? 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:27.000 What does he see? 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:30.119 Look at verse 14. 00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:33.039 In the temple, 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:38.039 Jesus found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons. 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.659 In Leviticus, 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:46.139 we're told what every animal is supposed to accomplish in the forgiveness of sins. 00:28:46.419 --> 00:28:50.000 And every animal represents a people group or the different, 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:52.799 the different parts of the nation of God, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.440 his kingdom. 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:57.119 The oxen represents an entire tribe. 00:28:57.500 --> 00:29:00.740 The bull represents the high priest or the elders of that tribe, 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:02.519 kind of the representative heads. 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:05.299 The sheep represent the women and children. 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.180 They're, 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.480 you know, 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:08.339 innocent to be protected by a shepherd. 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:10.140 And then what about the pigeons? 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:10.880 Well, 00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:16.539 the pigeons were there for those who were extremely poor and those who had no other means of being forgiven. 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:18.559 And the point is this. 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:20.119 God has provided, 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.339 even for the people of Israel, 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:27.559 he has provided forgiveness of sins through the shedding of blood and making it available to all. 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.960 Everyone has access. 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.639 It doesn't matter how poor you are. 00:29:30.919 --> 00:29:34.319 You could never dream of owning one little lamb in your whole life. 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:36.679 There is an abundance of blood for you. 00:29:37.139 --> 00:29:38.379 And a pigeon will be provided. 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:41.980 So that's the heart of God with these sacrifices. 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:44.319 Now notice in verse 14, 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:46.740 the tone changes. 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:50.120 The money changers were sitting there. 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:52.700 Money changers, 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:55.880 if you've ever traveled internationally or been to Chuck E. Cheese, 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.759 either one will work. 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.240 It's a ripoff. 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.519 They want you to come in. 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:02.299 They want you to take real money that you've worked hard for. 00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:05.000 Change it at the airport or some tourist trap. 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:08.420 You're going to change it into something that they say is required. 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:11.980 Then you're going to use whatever that was to get the real thing. 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:14.259 And if you think about like at Chuck E. Cheese, 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:17.059 you could get the best toy there for probably $4. 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:17.680 You know, 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:21.200 you're required to buy these tiny little tokens and have this, 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:21.519 you know, 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:27.519 Las Vegas experience and then exchange these tokens for something that you should have been able to get very, 00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:28.019 very cheap. 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:30.519 That's exactly what these money changers were doing. 00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:32.259 They were using extortion. 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:36.559 They were doing just like the established church was doing right before the Reformation. 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:39.879 They're trying to dangle up the forgiveness of God, 00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:42.099 which abounds and it's available. 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:44.720 The blood is there in the pigeons and in every animal. 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:47.160 Everyone should be able to come and find forgiveness. 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:51.960 And they have blocked it off with the authority of these Judean elites. 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:53.299 And the priests are behind it. 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.639 And the teachers of the law. 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:54.720 Well, 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:58.880 that's the type of heart in these people that are ruling over the temple. 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:04.720 That's supposed to be the place where even the Gentiles could come near and receive ministry and forgiveness. 00:31:05.520 --> 00:31:10.720 And they're extorting people and abusing that withholding the forgiveness of God. 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:11.800 Now, 00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:16.700 if God is just and if God is powerful and if it's the heart of God to forgive sinners, 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:18.400 that's why Jesus came. 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:22.000 Why would the zeal of Christ not burn against them? 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.520 How could it not? 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:28.020 Look at verse 15 and 16. 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:29.000 What did Jesus do? 00:31:29.320 --> 00:31:31.460 He drove them all out of the temple. 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:34.340 Can you hear the coins hitting the ground? 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:40.800 He overturned their tables and he told those who sold the pigeons specifically, 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:41.980 they're going after the poor. 00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:44.200 Take these things away. 00:31:45.060 --> 00:31:48.340 Do not make my father's house a house of trade. 00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:50.059 The real word there. 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:51.619 The Greek word is emporium. 00:31:52.119 --> 00:31:56.319 They have turned the place that should be for worship and forgiveness of sins. 00:31:56.399 --> 00:31:58.240 They've turned that into an emporium. 00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:00.620 In Mark 11, 00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.220 17, 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:02.559 we're told Jesus said, 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:07.200 my house shall be called a house of prayer for who? 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:09.160 For all the nations. 00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:11.880 That's the purpose of the temple all along, 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:14.200 that all the nations could approach their creator, 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:16.559 be forgiven of their sins and worship him. 00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:20.919 But you have made it a den of robbers. 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:23.480 Now look at verse 17. 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:25.879 The disciples remembered that it was written. 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:30.200 Zeal for your house will consume me. 00:32:31.399 --> 00:32:33.039 Turn to Psalm 69. 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:34.259 This is what they're quoting. 00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:37.200 In Psalm 69, 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.940 you need to see this with your eyes. 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.819 Psalm 69, 00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:45.700 what was Jesus fulfilling, 00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:48.559 what the disciples were recalling and what was coming to mind. 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:51.500 It gives us an insight into the heart of their Lord, 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.259 of Jesus Christ, 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:53.059 as he did this. 00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.759 So Psalm 69, 00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:55.339 verse nine, 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:59.220 for the zeal of your house has consumed me. 00:32:59.879 --> 00:33:00.779 Now look at verse 10. 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:04.559 I wept and humbled my soul. 00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:07.500 So you remember the wedding feast, 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:10.879 that groom that was about to be married. 00:33:11.160 --> 00:33:12.180 He was very humble. 00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:13.720 He was low. 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:16.799 He's about to be put to shame for how low he was. 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.059 Jesus said, 00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:19.740 I will make myself low. 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:23.399 I will take on a body being God, 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:25.019 a very God lacking nothing. 00:33:25.339 --> 00:33:27.220 I will make myself low for you. 00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:29.819 I will humble myself to be near you. 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.899 And now look at verse 12. 00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:34.980 I am the talk of those who sit at the gate. 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:36.039 Well, 00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:37.099 there's the Judean elite. 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:38.200 They're sitting at the gate. 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.379 They're keeping away the poor. 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:41.559 They're keeping away the Gentiles, 00:33:41.679 --> 00:33:44.399 the nations that are supposed to be coming to pray to God. 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:46.819 And now look at verse 22. 00:33:48.419 --> 00:33:49.099 This is what, 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:50.519 what the psalmist, 00:33:52.659 --> 00:33:53.679 Psalm of David. 00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:56.120 So David prays this in verse 22, 00:33:56.120 --> 00:33:58.420 as he sees this corruption of worship, 00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:58.860 he says, 00:33:59.100 --> 00:34:02.460 let their own table before them become a snare. 00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:05.080 And when they are at peace, 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:07.000 let it become a trap. 00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:11.519 So David sees the wicked and he curses them. 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.260 He says, 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:14.519 they are at peace and they have their table set up. 00:34:14.740 --> 00:34:19.659 Let that very thing that's giving them security and comfort become a snare to their soul. 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:21.759 So David's praying down curses on them. 00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:22.879 Now, 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:25.199 we don't have this given to us clearly, 00:34:25.859 --> 00:34:29.819 but I want you to think about when Jesus overturns the tables. 00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:32.900 Think about that. 00:34:33.160 --> 00:34:35.340 Jesus is not praying a curse on them. 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:37.820 He is getting their attention. 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:40.620 He's giving them a sign. 00:34:41.720 --> 00:34:42.280 He says, 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:43.840 don't you know Psalm 69? 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:47.220 Are my disciples the only ones that know the Bible? 00:34:48.680 --> 00:34:49.600 This table, 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:51.120 you money changers, 00:34:51.220 --> 00:34:53.380 this is a snare for your soul for eternity. 00:34:54.660 --> 00:34:55.140 Repent. 00:34:56.260 --> 00:34:56.700 Turn. 00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:59.380 You need to be like this table. 00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:04.519 I will flip you upside down if that's what it takes for you to believe in the son of God, 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:09.460 whose blood abounds for true cleansing and forgiveness of sins. 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:11.880 That's the zeal of Christ. 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:16.579 It's that even these greedy money changers would repent and turn to him. 00:35:17.119 --> 00:35:18.619 He's not praying curses on them. 00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:23.539 He's drawing their attention to the only one who can forgive their sins. 00:35:24.660 --> 00:35:26.920 So do we worship a zealous God? 00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:27.420 Yes, 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:28.440 yes, 00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:29.000 we do. 00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:29.539 Amen. 00:35:30.180 --> 00:35:30.840 Praise God. 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:34.920 And his true disciples will have that zeal growing more and more. 00:35:35.220 --> 00:35:36.760 It's a zeal that the house, 00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.639 the dwelling of, 00:35:37.740 --> 00:35:38.720 of God's people, 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:43.220 Jesus himself will be a place where all the nations gather to be forgiven. 00:35:43.219 --> 00:35:48.939 It's a place where we gather to pray for his gospel to go out to the nations, 00:35:48.939 --> 00:35:54.919 that every kingdom will be toppled over until Christ reigns supreme. 00:35:55.179 --> 00:35:55.980 That's the gospel. 00:35:55.980 --> 00:36:03.139 Now look at verses 18 through 22 back in John chapter 2. 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:10.440 Is this a stretch to say that Jesus is having his work on the cross on his mind as he does this? 00:36:10.820 --> 00:36:11.599 Is that a stretch? 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:13.440 Look at verse 18. 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:16.880 So the Jews, 00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:18.500 they're not going to back down. 00:36:18.599 --> 00:36:19.780 He got their attention now. 00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:22.619 He's given them all a sign and the Jews gather around him. 00:36:23.740 --> 00:36:24.820 They could have done more, 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:26.700 but they decide to begin with discourse. 00:36:27.820 --> 00:36:31.159 What sign do you show us for doing these things? 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:32.720 It's a direct question. 00:36:32.800 --> 00:36:33.940 You created a scene here, 00:36:34.240 --> 00:36:34.480 man. 00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:36.860 You turned over everything that we're doing. 00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:38.139 Who are you? 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.559 Isn't that ironic? 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:42.840 That is the sign. 00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:44.340 He just gave them the sign. 00:36:44.779 --> 00:36:45.079 He says, 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:46.139 you want a greater sign? 00:36:46.759 --> 00:36:48.619 Keep watching the son of God. 00:36:49.259 --> 00:36:50.559 Keep watching the son of God. 00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:51.380 Look at verse 19. 00:36:51.539 --> 00:36:52.340 Jesus answered them, 00:36:52.799 --> 00:36:54.099 destroy this temple. 00:36:54.779 --> 00:36:55.659 And in three days, 00:36:55.739 --> 00:36:56.900 I will raise it up. 00:36:57.299 --> 00:36:58.880 Do you see where Jesus is in his mind? 00:36:59.279 --> 00:37:00.920 He knows this is what he came to do. 00:37:01.299 --> 00:37:04.179 He's tired of this blood of animals draining from the city. 00:37:04.659 --> 00:37:06.840 He's coming to bring the wine of heaven, 00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:09.940 his own blood that will sweeten and transform the inside. 00:37:10.559 --> 00:37:12.900 Verse 20. 00:37:13.320 --> 00:37:14.219 Then the Jews said, 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:16.960 it has taken 46 years to build this temple. 00:37:17.659 --> 00:37:18.119 See, 00:37:18.199 --> 00:37:19.480 they're in such a different place, 00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:19.820 aren't they? 00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:22.739 They are so clueless about what God is coming to do. 00:37:23.380 --> 00:37:26.900 And they're referring to the third temple that was built by Herod the Great. 00:37:28.259 --> 00:37:29.000 Herod the Great. 00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:31.519 He's the one who wants to make Jerusalem be like Rome. 00:37:32.420 --> 00:37:34.539 You notice how it's John setting it up. 00:37:34.679 --> 00:37:40.380 The people of God are so close to being like Rome that they're almost indistinguishable. 00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:42.799 And you know the moment when it finally happens? 00:37:42.920 --> 00:37:43.079 Okay. 00:37:43.239 --> 00:37:45.559 The people of God are the same as the world. 00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:49.699 It's when they're all gathered as one mob saying crucify him. 00:37:51.099 --> 00:37:54.239 That's where it leads when the church is worldly. 00:37:54.239 --> 00:37:55.239 Jesus, 00:37:55.239 --> 00:38:00.159 Jesus, 00:38:00.399 --> 00:38:01.159 in verse 21, 00:38:01.299 --> 00:38:04.299 was speaking about the temple of his body. 00:38:05.059 --> 00:38:05.699 Verse 22. 00:38:05.819 --> 00:38:08.159 When therefore he was raised from the dead, 00:38:08.279 --> 00:38:10.899 his disciples remembered that he had said this, 00:38:11.139 --> 00:38:16.019 and they believed the scripture that the word of Jesus was spoken in. 00:38:16.019 --> 00:38:24.880 But I want you to remember and take away is this. 00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:31.500 Verse 23. 00:38:32.500 --> 00:38:35.099 Jesus knows what is in your heart. 00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:42.940 His zeal will consume all false idols. 00:38:43.940 --> 00:38:53.079 And if God is turning your heart over and he's causing you to believe that there is blood that can forgive even a sinner like you, 00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:56.579 that's the zeal that will draw you into his kingdom. 00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:59.659 And that's the zeal that will cleanse you from the inside. 00:38:59.659 --> 00:39:02.639 And it's the zeal that will prepare you for heaven. 00:39:06.799 --> 00:39:10.599 There was a little girl who wrote this letter to a missionary. 00:39:11.259 --> 00:39:11.920 She said, 00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:12.440 Dear sir, 00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:14.420 please receive this small contribution. 00:39:14.619 --> 00:39:17.739 She had saved up some of her money from working chores around the house. 00:39:18.480 --> 00:39:18.920 She said, 00:39:18.980 --> 00:39:21.679 My mother has taught me to pray the Lord's Prayer every day. 00:39:22.239 --> 00:39:23.339 And every day I pray, 00:39:23.759 --> 00:39:24.699 Your kingdom come, 00:39:25.159 --> 00:39:25.980 Your will be done, 00:39:26.119 --> 00:39:27.659 on earth as it is in heaven. 00:39:27.659 --> 00:39:30.219 And I realized, 00:39:30.379 --> 00:39:31.000 wrote the little girl, 00:39:31.119 --> 00:39:35.739 How can I pray this for God's kingdom on earth if I do nothing about it? 00:39:36.759 --> 00:39:39.460 So please use this small contribution for your kingdom, 00:39:39.679 --> 00:39:41.039 for God's kingdom purposes. 00:39:41.719 --> 00:39:45.059 She wrote this to the missionary from Scotland in the 1800s. 00:39:46.379 --> 00:39:49.339 See, that's the contrast with the money changers and the greeting. 00:39:51.019 --> 00:39:51.779 In Mark 2, 00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:52.619 we're told, 00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:56.839 Jesus does not come to put new wine into old wineskins. 00:39:56.840 --> 00:39:58.440 Because if he does, 00:39:58.519 --> 00:39:59.420 the wine will burst, 00:39:59.920 --> 00:40:00.480 the skins, 00:40:00.620 --> 00:40:03.519 and both the wine and the wineskins will be destroyed. 00:40:04.640 --> 00:40:07.579 But the new wine is for fresh wineskins. 00:40:08.820 --> 00:40:09.740 Jesus says, 00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:11.480 You church, 00:40:11.740 --> 00:40:13.360 if I have given you a new heart 00:40:13.360 --> 00:40:15.960 that's able to receive and hold this gospel, 00:40:16.539 --> 00:40:17.340 this new wine, 00:40:17.340 --> 00:40:21.019 it's because you are my temple. 00:40:21.360 --> 00:40:22.420 You are in me, 00:40:22.559 --> 00:40:24.260 and I come to dwell in you. 00:40:24.700 --> 00:40:28.320 The Holy Spirit lives in you 00:40:28.320 --> 00:40:31.360 to prepare you for eternity with Jesus Christ. 00:40:32.360 --> 00:40:33.480 And if you're confused, 00:40:33.559 --> 00:40:34.200 then maybe you're feeling, 00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:35.600 I don't know what's in my heart. 00:40:35.680 --> 00:40:37.079 My heart is a mix right now. 00:40:38.059 --> 00:40:38.980 That should be your prayer. 00:40:39.120 --> 00:40:40.640 Let Christ show you. 00:40:41.019 --> 00:40:41.720 Pray and ask him, 00:40:41.780 --> 00:40:42.840 reveal what's my heart. 00:40:42.840 --> 00:40:44.980 He commands his disciples 00:40:44.980 --> 00:40:47.240 to lay up for yourself treasures in heaven 00:40:47.240 --> 00:40:49.539 where neither moth nor rust destroy, 00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:51.620 nor where thieves break in and steal. 00:40:52.120 --> 00:40:53.960 For where your treasure is, 00:40:54.680 --> 00:40:56.200 there your heart will be also. 00:40:58.539 --> 00:41:01.100 God did not need anything from the poor feast. 00:41:01.579 --> 00:41:03.720 We don't give anything that he needs. 00:41:04.340 --> 00:41:06.700 But he delights to transform your heart, 00:41:07.220 --> 00:41:09.340 to win your heart over to him. 00:41:09.340 --> 00:41:11.100 And ask him to show you 00:41:11.100 --> 00:41:12.600 what that looks like for you today. 00:41:13.220 --> 00:41:14.019 Let's pray. 00:41:14.720 --> 00:41:16.380 From Zephaniah chapter 9. 00:41:17.620 --> 00:41:19.140 Oh Lord, our provider, 00:41:19.680 --> 00:41:21.680 you promised that on that day, 00:41:22.260 --> 00:41:24.600 it's the day when Christ will accomplish 00:41:24.600 --> 00:41:26.120 your gracious salvation. 00:41:27.039 --> 00:41:29.019 He enacted it on the cross, 00:41:29.360 --> 00:41:30.300 in time and space, 00:41:30.480 --> 00:41:31.320 in human history, 00:41:31.780 --> 00:41:32.559 once for all, 00:41:32.880 --> 00:41:33.700 for your people, 00:41:33.840 --> 00:41:34.660 for all nations. 00:41:35.039 --> 00:41:35.920 On that day, 00:41:36.360 --> 00:41:38.120 the Lord our God will save us 00:41:38.119 --> 00:41:40.319 as the flock of your people. 00:41:40.799 --> 00:41:42.579 For like jewels of the crown, 00:41:43.079 --> 00:41:45.119 we will shine in your land. 00:41:45.759 --> 00:41:47.219 We look forward to that day, Lord, 00:41:47.259 --> 00:41:48.639 when your kingdom is on earth. 00:41:49.359 --> 00:41:51.199 For how great is your goodness, 00:41:51.460 --> 00:41:52.719 and how great your beauty, 00:41:52.859 --> 00:41:53.319 O Lord. 00:41:54.199 --> 00:41:56.699 The grain shall make the young men flourish, 00:41:56.880 --> 00:41:58.659 and new wine the women. 00:41:59.819 --> 00:42:00.699 So now, Lord, 00:42:00.739 --> 00:42:02.880 we ask that you will make your church flourish 00:42:02.880 --> 00:42:05.800 with the bread and the fruit of the vine 00:42:05.800 --> 00:42:08.059 as we enjoy the supper together. 00:42:08.780 --> 00:42:10.059 May it be a foretaste 00:42:10.059 --> 00:42:12.980 of your eternal wedding feast. 00:42:12.980 --> 00:42:14.260 Amen.