Knowing Jesus: John 2 (Daily Devo)
I live in the south, Texas to be exact. And in Texas most people would say, "I'm a Christian."
But what does that really mean?
It could mean:
- I'm a moral person
- I go to church
- I haven't killed anyone...etc.
But at the heart of Christianity is Jesus. And that's what I'm stuck on this week as we enter our second week of "Knowing Jesus."
How do you explain Jesus' life? You can't. It either is true and he's the son of God or he is absolutely a loon and deserving of the finest mental institution.
Because we live in such a spiritual atmosphere, and all around us people say "what's good for you is good for you and what's good for me is good for me," we must remember what makes our religion distinct and defensable. It's Jesus.
I've been a Christian for over twenty years now and I still can't get over Jesus.
- His life
- his interactions with other
- his miracles
- his compassion
- his fierce zeal
- his righteous anger
It truly is remarkable and I hope that as we continue to look at his life in John 2 this week there are great conversations that stir up with your family. I am praying that we never get over Jesus. That we grow, more and more, in our love for him. That we strive, like Paul, to know nothing except the cross and Jesus crucified.
Day 1: John 2:1-12
Weekly Catechism:
- Q8: What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?
- A: You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below—you shall not bow down to them or worship them. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. You shall not covet. (bolded words are this week's goal for our kids)
READ:
[1] On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. [2] Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. [3] When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” [4] And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” [5] His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
[6] Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. [7] Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. [8] And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. [9] When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom [10] and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” [11] This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
[12] After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days. - John 2:1-12 ESV
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: What was the result of Jesus getting involved in this party? How would you explain in normal language ‘manifested his glory?’
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank God that he sent Jesus to show us his glory and that we have seen it. Ask him to show you more and more of his glory.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 2: John 2:13-17
Weekly Catechism:
- Q8: What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?
- A: You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below—you shall not bow down to them or worship them. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. You shall not covet. (bolded words are this week's goal for our kids)
READ:
[13] The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [14] In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. [15] And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. [16] And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” [17] His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” - John 2:13-17 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Why does Jesus raise a ruckus?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Ask God to give you a Jesus-like zeal for the things of God.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
DAY 3: John 2:18-22
Weekly Catechism:
- Q8: What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?
- A: You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below—you shall not bow down to them or worship them. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. You shall not covet. (bolded words are this week's goal for our kids)
READ:
[18] So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” [19] Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” [20] The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” [21] But he was speaking about the temple of his body. [22] When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. - John 2:18-22 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: What was the purpose of Jesus foreshadowing his death and resurrection?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank God for sending Jesus to die on the cross for you. Ask him for greater understanding of the implications of that truth.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 4: John 2:23-25
Weekly Catechism:
- Q8: What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?
- A: You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below—you shall not bow down to them or worship them. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. You shall not covet. (bolded words are this week's goal for our kids)
READ:
[23] Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. [24] But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people [25] and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. - John 2:23-25 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Why do you think Jesus didn’t entrust himself to these people?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Ask God to help you love him for who he is and not just what he can do.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.