Friday | Week 2

For ____ so loved the_____ that He gave His one and only_____ that whoever believes in him shall not _____ but have_____life. (John 3:16)

Preschoolers can recite it. Football fans paint it boldly across cardboard signs. Former football player Tim Tebow even had it boldly inscribed in the eye black players often wear. It’s brief enough to write on a napkin or memorize in moment, yet solid enough to withstand 2000 years of storms and questions. It begins with God, ends with life, and urges us to do the same!

ChallengeGretchen GuilletteMay 29, 2020John 3:16, initiated

Thursday | Week 2

If you are a parent, have you ever tried to inspire your children with a good old-fashioned pep talk? Maybe it was before a big game, an important test, or a job interview. My children are still young, but I’ve made one strong impression on my daughter’s soccer team through my weekly pep talks. Before her games, I ask her: “Ellie, who is going to win today?” Sometimes her entire team will answer my question by shouting, “The team that wants it the most will win!” As a mother, I take seriously my role in inspiring my children to rise to the occasion!

Story & TestimonyAndrea BarnettMay 28, 2020inspiration, pep talk, faith

Wednesday | Week 2

While John doesn’t tell us, the wedding at Cana happens after Jesus has fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and nights and has been tempted by Satan. After that, as tired as he must have been—I realize I’m projecting my own physical limitations on Jesus here—he began to seek and call his disciples. He’s ready to begin his public ministry, an intense three years that would be marked by conflict, threats, pain, and—ultimately—death. And yet he takes time to attend a wedding.

What does this say about Jesus, that he would accept such an invitation?

Then, his mother, Mary, tells him the wine has run out—a major social mistake for the marrying couple, one that could bring them shame and dishonor. Jesus says to her, in essence, “Why ask me?” Every time I read this passage, he seems to be saying, “No, I won’t get involved.” But then he does.

Prayer & MeditationDoug HughesMay 27, 2020wedding, presence, obedience

Tuesday | Week 2

The wedding business today is huge! But if we think we’ve cornered the market on weddings today, we’re wrong. In John 2, the Jews knew how to throw a wedding! This chapter is full of significance.

Jewish weddings during the time of Christ were gala occasions even among villages like Cana in Galilee. They were week-long festivals with the entire village invited. Hospitality was abundant and wine was essential. The Rabbis used to say, “Without wine, there is no joy.” To run out of wine at a Jewish wedding was a terrible embarrassment and humiliation. In today’s lingo, it would be a catering disaster!

An easy way to understand John 2 is to think of the wedding phrase of something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Deeper DiveTami RoachMay 26, 2020wedding, symbolism

Monday | Week 2

Our study of John 1 last week started with the revelation that Jesus was with God from the very beginning—and in fact is God. That He came to earth and dwelt among us. It ended with Jesus’ baptism and His choosing of some of the disciples. Quite a lot to digest for sure.

Chapter 2 starts with a wedding in Cana, a fairly common event. Jesus is there with His mother, Mary, and the disciples. He performs His first miracle by turning water into wine. I hesitate to call it a small miracle (is there such a thing?), but it certainly wasn’t as public or as dramatic as other miracles He did. The wedding guests didn’t even know it happened. A friend suggested to me that maybe He used that event simply to anchor the faith of His disciples. It makes sense. They had chosen to follow Him just a few days earlier because they believed who He was, but perhaps they needed this extra confirmation before Jesus began His public ministry.

Passage SummaryStan RogersMay 25, 2020wedding, born again, salvation, John 3:16

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