John,
Chapter 2 – Christ, The Son of Man
1. Faith was being undermined by men like CERINTHUS
a. He taught that Jesus was not really God! Divine in Nature, Etc.
b. He taught that Christ had not actually come in the flesh (had not adopted human nature).
"The faith of believers were being undermined by errors of men like Cerinthus, who taught that Jesus was not really God and that Christ had not actually come in the flesh...According to Cerenthus, at baptism the Christ in the form of a dove had descended on Jesus, but this same Christ had left him again on the eve of his (Jesus’) suffering. Hence, it was not really Christ who suffered and died and rose again but Jesus."1) Zondervan Bible Dictionary, page 44
2) Irenaeus Against Heresies, who lived 120-202 AD Book 1, ch. 26, Article 1 (page 352)
3). Ch. 11, Article 1, 3 (ps. 426-427)
The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1, ps. 352; 426-27)
2. Many are the theories today — designed to destroy the force of the man Jesus, the anointed of God, and very Son of God — in the lives of men and women!
3. The title may not be correct --according to chapter not your way of thinking! If not we’ll not argue with you. However our aim is to see:
a. Christ did have a human side
b. He is interested and concerned about HUMAN PROBLEMS, relations, social activities
c. He was and is a practical person, having been tempted as you and I will be (Heb. 4:14-16).
CHRIST BECAME AND WAS HUMAN!
A. His work required that He be "partakers of flesh and blood,"as we (Heb. 2:14-118). As much as children are, He also took not the nature of angles, "in all things is behooved him to be made like his brethren." Having been tempted, suffered, etc. He is able to effectively deal with us!
THEREFORE, LET US SEE:
A. Jesus, the man, was united with Christ, the anointed — approved of God and promised, both in the person of the SON OF GOD, a member in the God-head!
B. He was at a "marriage" in Cana of Galilee, and performed a miracle — turning water into wine! (2:1-11). This is called the "beginning of miracles," manifesting His glory and His "disciples believed."
C. He travels from Cana to Capernaum, with His mother and disciples, staying there "not many days." (2:12)
D. He goes to The "Jew’s Passover" in Jerusalem. There He found things NOT as they should be: people "in the temple" selling oxen, sheep and doves, and changing money. 2:13-22)
1. He acted with zeal — driving them out
2. Explaining that such was a misuse of his "Father’s house"
3. His action caused the disciple to recall a passage about "zeal" (Ps. 69:9)
4. Jews asked for a sign. He promised if destroyed the temple, He would raise it in three days, which drew some critical remark, but He spake of His body
5. Many believed "when they saw the miracles which he did."
Questions
1. What did Jesus do at the "marriage" He attended?
2. What resulted from what He did (v. 11)
3. Who accompanied Him to Capernaum (v. 12)?
4. What was His reaction to what He saw being done "in the temple" (vs.13-15)?
5. What did He say NOT to make His "Father’s house" (v.16)?
6. What was he asked and His response (vs. 18-21)?
7. "Many believed," based on what (v. 23)?
8. What is said that he "knew" about man (v.25)?
9. What scriptures did His disciples recall when they saw Him act as He did (v. 17)?
10. What did the disciples "remember" when He was raised from the dead (v. 22)?