Jesus' Symbolic Language Always Illustrates Spiritual Truth

John 2

The joy the world offers will eventually fail, but the joy and peace that Jesus supplies goes on forever.

We see this in the first miracle of the water being turned into wine. Invite Him into your life, and lean on Him in every occasion to supply your smallest and greatest need. Commit to obey what He says in His Word in love and honor Him for who He is and what He will do in and through you will be transformational.

“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.” John 2:1–11 (ESV)

A Jewish wedding is a joyful event, and Jesus was very much at home there. He was “a man of sorrows,” but He also experienced great joy; and He can share the joys and sorrows of our lives. This miracle of transformation points to the drastic change in people’s lives that takes place when they believe in Jesus and obey his Word.

“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)

The synoptic or other three gospels record His cleansing of the temple at the close of His ministry, but John tells us He started His ministry by cleansing the temple. Judgment begins at the house of God.

“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Pet. 4:17 (ESV)

The temple was then “a house of merchandise;” three years later, in Matthew 21, it was a “den of thieves.” Warren Wirsbe says, “Outward reformation without inward renewal is a temporary thing.”

Those who’d traveled from far away would need to purchase animals to offer as sacrifices, this was a normal and familiar practice; but, sales were taking place in the outermost court of the temple—the court of the Gentiles. Thus, non-Jews who came to worship the God of Israel were prevented from doing so. I believe it was more about this than the actual selling of sacrificial animals; however, this is easily viewable in light of early day price gouging. The Synoptic Gospels make clear that the sellers were charging an exorbitant amount because Jesus said they had turned it into a “den of thieves.” They were lining their pockets at the expense of the worshipers and probably unwilling to even sell to the Gentiles.

“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)
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Here, Jesus was challenging the Jews by speaking about the temple; not the temple they imagined, but the temple of his body. And though they couldn’t understand him, he was right. The Jewish leaders would deliver Jesus over to be put to death. Then, in three days, he would rise from the grave. His resurrection would indeed demonstrate his authority for cleansing the temple. Interestingly, the disciples didn’t comprehend everything he said either. It would require Jesus’s resurrection for them to grow in their faith and understanding.

Warren Wiersbe writes, “In his gospel, John points out that unsaved people did not understand what Jesus taught. When He used symbolic language to illustrate a spiritual truth, they took it literally. That was true when He spoke about the temple (2:18–22), the new birth (3:1–9), living water (4:7–15), and eating His flesh and drinking His blood (6:51–52). Apart from the Spirit, you cannot understand His Word.”

“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)

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “Jesus would not entrust himself to them because of their spiritual immaturity. They were not yet ready for full commitment to discipleship and public identification with him. Spiritual growth is important because it expands our capacity to experience more of God. Jesus does not relate to all believers the same way. Jesus knew what was in man is a reminder that he can see into our hearts.”

The Jews repeatedly asked Jesus for a sign and then rejected the evidence He provided time and time again. His resurrection was the greatest proof of His deity and His sovereignty, but the Jews did not understand what He was even talking about. They would destroy the temple by crucifying Him, but He would triumph over them in His resurrection.

How about you today? How’s your heart? Is the Spirit revealing the Word of God to you clearly? Are you seeking to grow in grace and knowledge? Are you trusting for a miracle for your joy? How is God transforming you to be more like Him?

Today, know that Jesus desires a personal relationship with you and desire to speak clearly to you through His Word. Maybe today is the day that you allow the Spirit to cleanse you so that you discover the meaning of His Word and a message for your heart an life. Often, we will not even see the signs and miracles going on around us because we are too busy, distracted, or participating in things that quench the Spirit and silence His voice in us.
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Today, silence the things around you, meet with Jesus today in His Word, and allow the Spirit to search, cleanse, and redirect you heart toward Jesus who loves you, died for you, and rose from the dead to give you hope and joy unspeakable.

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