Look and Live

We are taking a momentary side trail on our journey through the gospels.  Usually, when background information is necessary, I explain it in the section “A Little Background”.  Our next reading in the Harmony of the Gospels is John 3:1-18.  In that passage, Jesus references an Old Testament event.  Since this event tends to be less familiar than others, and because understanding it enriches the John 3 passage so much, I have decided to dedicate a full post on it.  I may do this from time to time as necessary to better understand a particular passage.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh.  He fulfills the Law and the Prophets (meaning the Old Testament--Matthew 5:17).  Therefore, we cannot fully know the truth of the New Testament without understanding its roots in the Old.

The topic today is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, telling us that this event is given to us as an example so that we do not fall into the same sin as the Israelites.  The entire Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to mankind.  We can see Jesus throughout the Old Testament; it is His story of redemption for us.

The Passage

Numbers 21:4-9

⁴ Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. ⁵ And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” ⁶ So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.

⁷ Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

⁸ Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” ⁹ So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

A Little Background

When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, his destination was Canaan, or the Promised Land (present-day Israel).  This was the land promised to them by God when He cut a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15).  Abraham’s son Isaac fathered twins, Jacob and Esau.  Jacob deceived Esau, to give up his birthright.  Esau’s own fleshly weakness proved that he took God’s ways lightly.  Esau’s descendants were known as the Edomites.  Jacob’s descendants would become the Israelites, God’s chosen people.

When the Israelites left Egypt they numbered approximately 1.5 to 2.5 million people.  They traveled by foot through barren wilderness—there was no time or opportunity to plant and reap crops along the way.  Very quickly, the people began to complain against God and against Moses.  God performed an amazing miracle.  In the morning, they would go outside their tents to find little wafers of bread called “manna”.  This became their life-sustaining food their entire journey. 

The Israelites were into the second year of their journey when they came to the border of Canaan.  Twelve men were sent in to spy out the land.  When they returned, ten of the spies brought a bad report causing the Israelites to fear, complain, and refuse to enter the land that God had prepared and promised them.  For their rebellion, God refused to allow them to enter for 40 years.  Until then, all the Israelites ages 20 and older would die in the wilderness.  God continued His sovereign care over them, but they would move from camp to camp in barren places.

Sometime towards the end of the forty years, during one of their travels they needed to go through the land of Edom.  Moses sent a messenger to the king of Edom requesting permission to pass through the land.  The king refused them passage.  This refusal required them to go a longer journey around Edom.  By the way, do you remember who else was an Edomite, a descendant of Esau?  Hint: By Jesus’ day, this area was called Idumea.  (Click here for the answer in a previous post.)

Some Explanation

This incident of complaining against God regarding the manna was not the first time for the Israelites.[1]  This new generation is now almost 40 years older.  They had forgotten how their parents also complained against the manna many years before.  Now after nearly 40 years, the second generation is falling into the same trap of complaining against God’s provision.  This time God sent “fiery” or biting serpents throughout the camp.  Those who were bitten died.  The Israelites realized their sin and came to Moses who cried out to God for the people.  God told Moses to make a serpent of brass and fix it up on a pole.  All those who would look at this brass serpent after they were bitten would be healed.

Observations and Insights

How do a million people survive “on the road” without a McDonald’s or service station to pick up a bottle of water?  I have to admit, like the Israelites, eating the same food day in and day out would probably get to my flesh, too.  These Israelites allowed their fleshly desire to rule them instead of trusting in the One Who had protected and sustained them. 

But the manna was more than just a sweet wafer.  We will see later in John 6:32-35 that Jesus identifies Himself as the manna in the wilderness.  1 Corinthians 10:9, explains that “they tempted Christ”.  When I read this line, my heart grips me, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread,” for they were rebelling against Jesus Himself!  Jesus, the Word made flesh, likened bread to God's Word during His own wilderness temptation, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

It didn’t take much convincing for the people to look and live.  Many scholars believe that the snake in question may have been the saw-clawed Echis viper.  Its venom is slow acting and causes massive internal bleeding.  Such suffering from a slow and painful death would have practically demanded its victim to turn to the only remedy—a gaze upon the serpent on the pole.  The healing came, not from the bronze serpent itself, but through faith in God’s command to look and live.

The Israelites ran to Moses acknowledging their sin.  Yet for us today, our hearts become so hardened by self-absorption, that we cannot see our own responsibility for our rebellion against God.  We often do not realize that the slow and painful spiritual death that we all suffer is active in us. The cross is Jesus lifted up as representative of our sin.  He took our sins upon Himself receiving the punishment from God that we deserve.  Faith requires conviction of our own guilt, and embracing of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.

Although I came to faith in Jesus Christ at a very young age, I often find myself in a dry place in my life.  It may be just that the mundane tasks of life have stifled vibrancy in my walk with the Lord.  But more often, I have allowed a sin or root of bitterness to grow unchecked.  The Word becomes lifeless to me, stale and seemingly “doesn’t work”.  My heart grows cold, and I fall to the temptation to look to experience and feeling to substitute for the only life-sustaining bread.  

If I am honest, I realize that I have strayed from the Shepherds fold.  Instead of complaining and calling the manna “worthless bread”, what if the Israelites had cried out their thanksgiving and praises to God for His faithfulness in providing their every need?  What if they had asked Him to renew their taste and appreciation for the manna that abundantly sustained them?  What if I confess my dissatisfaction as sin, turn to the very Word that seems unsatisfying and ask God for greater perseverance and faith to trust Him and obey Him?  Which response is full of faith? 

The truth of God’s grace is that He fully realizes our bent to sin, to self-centeredness, to wander from Him.  He stands ever ready to bring me back to the fold if I honestly confess my weakness and allow Him to be my strength.  I find that when I remind myself of what this loving and gentle Shepherd did for me on the cross, my heart is quick to respond to His gentle calling back to the fold of His Word.  And the more that I do, the softer my heart becomes.  Look to Him and live!

Next:  John 3:1-21

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[1] The Israelites quickly became tired of the manna and complained to God. In great displeasure, God dealt swiftly with their rebellion, and many died.  Numbers 11

Exploitation

The Passage

John 2:12-25

¹²After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days. ¹³Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. ¹⁵When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. ¹⁶And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"

¹⁷Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."

¹⁸So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?"

¹⁹Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

²⁰Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"

²¹But He was speaking of the temple of His body. ²²Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

²³Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. ²⁴But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all [men], ²⁵and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

A Little Background

The Passover is one of the most holy days of the Jewish calendar occurring in the Spring either in March or April.  Passover celebrates the historical event of God’s passing over the houses of Israelites when he sent the destroyer into the land of Egypt.  Each family was to sacrifice a lamb, spread its blood on the sides and over the top of the door.  The destroyer entered the homes that did not have the blood of the lamb and killed the firstborn.  The next day, Pharaoh expelled all the Jews from Egypt, beginning their journey, led by Moses, to the Promised Land, Canaan, or what is now known as Israel.

Each year faithful Jews traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover there.  This was the same occasion during which Jesus stayed behind talking to the teachers when He was 12 years old.

During that journey, God revealed Himself to Moses on Mount Sinai.  Moses wrote as God spoke.  One of God’s instructions was to build a portable structure to be used for worship.  It was a simple tent known as the tabernacle.  When the Israelites worshiped God according to His Word, His presence would fill the Holy of Holies.  Many years later kings David and Solomon desired to build a permanent and glorious dwelling place for God’s worship known as the temple.  Set up exactly the same way as the tabernacle, Solomon’s temple was bigger and more glorious.  

Because of years of idolatry, God sent the pagan Babylonians to Israel to take the people into captivity.  The temple was destroyed and its objects of worship stolen.  When the Israelites returned to the land 70 years later, Zerubbabal rebuilt the temple in a smaller version.  Approximately 16 years before Jesus’ birth, Herod began his rebuilding of the temple.  Herod was a wicked king whose goal was not for worship of the true God, but self-glorification.  Herod’s temple was the largest and just one of his several building projects.  Massive stones form the foundation of the temple which is estimated to have been the equivalent of 40 stories high according to Jewish historian, Josephus. 

Some Explanation

God’s required system of worship at the temple (originally the tabernacle) was to bring specific animals for various sacrifices.  Sacrifices were made continually on a daily basis when worshipers would present themselves to repent of particular sins, for the birth of a child, and for the days that God required as special holy days.  When the worshipers traveled they would need to bring the live sacrificial animal with them.[1]  It was not necessary that the family raise the animal themselves.  It could be bought for the purpose of sacrifice.  On a practical level, it would be much easier to buy an animal for sacrifice in Jerusalem rather than travel with it in tow. 

Having animals inside the temple complex (this would have been in the outer courtyard) was very convenient.  And of course, animals bought there would be the highest priced.  It doesn’t take much imagination to realize the economic advantage of being a dealer of sacrificial animals in Jerusalem.  It’s also easy to imagine the scenario that Jesus saw when He arrived at the temple—the noisy, dirty animals, the loud bartering and bickering over prices, and the price-gouging vendors crowding and clamoring in the place reserved for worship of God.

Each year, Jews were required to pay a temple tax of one-half shekel (Exodus 30:13).  The shekel was Jewish currency.  But Israel was under Roman domination, and the Roman denarius was required for secular purchases.  Therefore, the money changers set up inside the temple complex for converting the denarius into shekels.

The scene was certainly nothing new to Jesus, but now He had formally begun His ministry.  It was time to cleanse the temple of merchandizing and establish the house of the Lord to its original intent—a house of prayer to receive atonement for sin and present themselves as worshipers of the Lord.

What sign do You show to us?... When Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple, the Jews (Pharisees) became angry.  No doubt they also profited from the lucrative business arrangement.  Their question was a challenge to Jesus to show what authority He had to drive out these profiteers.  These Jews asked for a sign, and Jesus gave them exactly what they asked for, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”  Such a statement seemed ludicrous to these Jews. They were already opposing Jesus’ authority.  Verse 19 explains that Jesus was declaring His deity.  He specifically meant His own body was the temple.  He was the image, the exact representation of God the Father (Colossians 1:15) .  This is the first time that Jesus is recorded as predicting His death and resurrection.  It will be the crucial point in proving His identity as Messiah.  Later, when Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples remembered this incident.

...many believed in His name when they saw the signs...there were other signs that Jesus did while in Jerusalem at this time, though they are not recorded for us. 

But Jesus did not commit Himself to them...At this point, Jesus did not declare Himself to be the Messiah because He knew what that would mean to the people.  They were looking for a Messiah to deliver them from Roman domination and establish a paradise-like kingdom.  That was not Jesus plan.

Observations and Insights

At some point in time, perhaps a seemingly very innocent practice began of providing worshipers with needed goods and services for temple worship.  What may possibly have begun with sincere motivation soon degenerated into exploitation.   I see myself in this passage.

As believers we also represent the body of Christ[2]; our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  We are to be holy—set apart for His worship alone (1 Peter 1:15, 16).  In our zeal for the Lord, we desire to grow, to be encouraged and built up in our faith.  There are many good books and opportunities that teach us sound doctrine, train us, and sharpen our abilities to serve Him. 

However, what begins as good and right motivation to love and good works, can quickly turn when we take our attention off the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ through the Word and give our attention and allegiance to human teachers and celebrity preachers.  2 Peter 2:1-3 denounces false teachers who “make merchandise of”_(KJV) or exploit believers.  So often we fill our shelves with books, CD’s or spend hundreds of dollars to attend every conference that promises a new teaching.  1 John 2:20, 27 tells us that all believers have the anointing of the Holy Spirit; we have no need of special teaching to take us to “new levels” or show us some new revelation to increase our spirituality. 

There are good tools and resources that are worthy of investment for our spiritual growth, but if you find yourself spending hundreds of dollars each year on seminars, conferences, CD series, and books, perhaps it is time to pull back.  Go to the source.  All that we need for life and godliness is found between Genesis 1:1 and Revelation 22:21.  We need no new revelation for the Bible itself completely equips us (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).  How about taking a year off to diligently study the Word of God?

This sheep has found the calm waters and green pastures of the Shepherd to be absolutely delightful.  

Next: "Look and Live"

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[1] In the case of Passover, the animal was killed and eaten at the home of the family; it was not sacrificed at the temple.  However, it was necessary to have an animal to sacrifice.

[2] This is symbolic or metaphorical.  Believers are not the temple or the literal body in the same way that Jesus was God incarnate—in flesh.  1 Cor. 12, and 2 Cor. 6 describe us as the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Coming Out

The Passage

John 2:1-12

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."

Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."

His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do [it]." Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.

Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, "Draw [some] out now, and take [it] to the master of the feast." And they took [it].

When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the [guests] have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.  After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

A Little Background

Although Jesus’ ministry formally began when He was baptized by John, the wedding at Cana records His first miracle.  A Jewish wedding in Biblical times was very different from modern weddings in our culture.  Weddings occurred in three parts.  The celebration was the third part of the wedding ceremony, and could last for many days.  Jesus and his disciples had been invited to the celebration. 

Some Explanation

On the third day... The account of the wedding follows three days after Jesus’ selection of some of His disciples.  It is possible that the five disciples were included in the invitation at the last minute.  This explanation may account for the wine running out.  It may also be likely that the wedding was that of Jesus’ relative.  This would also explain Mary’s involvement.  Perhaps she was close to the family and was aware of the embarrassing situation that was about to occur.  If the disciples were a last minute addition, she may have felt a sense of responsibility.

Woman what does your concern have to do with Me?... The title Jesus used toward Mary, was a respectful way to address a woman of higher standing.  Jesus did not refer to her as mother, nor did he call Mary by name.  Perhaps as little as two months previously, Jesus had been baptized, when the heavens opened and the Father said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  Until that time, Jesus lived in relative obscurity, likely with His family.  But Jesus was now beginning His Messianic ministry.  Although Mary was Jesus’ mother by earthly birth, this would be a new relationship.  He was now ministering as God in the flesh; Mary was as much a sheep in need of a Savior as every other person that Jesus encountered.  (Later, Mary and her other sons will come to Jesus requesting his attention by calling upon their family relationship.  Jesus did not allow them any special favor.)

My hour has not yet come... Many commentators agree that Mary was asking Jesus to reveal Himself as Messiah by her request regarding the wine.  Jesus was not ready to fully reveal His Messiah-ship, yet.  It would take some time before Jesus would declare Himself fully.  However, He did take the opportunity to show the first sign of His deity. 

Abundance of wine was understood as a prophetic characteristic of the hoped-for Messianic kingdom.  By turning the water into wine, Jesus was showing a sign of His Messianic identity.  Other literature of the period tells of the Jewish belief that when Messiah came, there would be a time of plenty.  Numbers 13 describes the spies returning from Canaan carrying such huge clusters of grapes that it took two men to carry them on their shoulders.  Israel looked for the day when Messiah would return her to her original glory including abundance of wine.  The prophets also foretold of abundance of wine in the Messianic kingdom (Jeremiah 31:12, Amos 9:14, Joel 3:18)

Six waterpots of stone... Purification was extremely important to devout Jews[1].  These waterpots were

30-gallon wine keg

probably for the purpose of the guests’ washing of their hands and feet before the feast.  Six large pots of approximately 20 to 30 gallons each would be about 120-180 gallons of water.  Since the pots were empty (for Jesus told the servants to fill them with water) it is reasonable to conclude that they had used the water for cleansing before the feast. 

You have kept the good wine until now!... At the wedding feast, a wise host would use the good wine first for the guests to appreciate.  But as they drank, they would be less likely to notice the inferior wine later toward the end of the feast. 

Observations and Insights

Jesus’ new disciples were convinced that He was the longed-for Messiah (John 1:41-51).  With this first sign, turning the water into wine, and manifesting His glory, the disciples believed in Him.  Later in Mark 2:22 and Luke 22:18, 30, they saw Jesus identify His ministry as the new wine.  Like the new wine reserved for later in the feast, Jesus Himself is that good wine, “reserved until now”. 

Psalms 19 and 119 are beautiful expressions of the perfection and excellence of God’s Word, the Law.  Jesus, the Word in flesh is the fulfillment of the Law.  Ephesians 5:26 tells us that the Word is water that washes us.  Until Jesus, the Old Testament Scriptures were a law written upon stone, but God promised a time when His law would be written on fleshly tablets of the heart.  Throughout the times of the Old Testament, the Jews could not keep the law perfectly.  Though perfect, holy, and precious as gold, the law brought death because it could not be kept perfectly by imperfect man.  Jesus’ ministry and atonement would abolish the necessity of keeping the law.  Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin, He indwells us through the Holy Spirit engraving the living Word upon our hearts. 

(Next John 2:12-25)

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[1] Later, the Pharisees will criticize Jesus’ disciples for not washing properly before eating--Mark 7:5, Luke 11:38