Firsts, Part 2: Week & Signs
From John the Baptist's witness to the call of the first disciples, the wedding at Cana, and the cleansing of the temple, Jesus invites us to come, see, follow, and worship Him as King.
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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.
Classroom Instructions
Lesson
The First Witness (John 1:19-34)
John’s examination by the authorities (1:19-34) ● Priests, Levites, & Pharisees bring questions about John’s identity – “I am not the Messiah” – Are you Elijah? (2 Kgs 1:8; Mal 4:5; Jn 1:21?) – Are you The Prophet? (“One greater than Moses” – Dt 18:15) – Voice in the wilderness (Is 40:3) ● John’s confession (1:29-34) – Behold, “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
The First Witnesses (John 1:35-51)
The First Disciples (1:35-50) ● Discipleship Paradigm: – Come and see – Follow me – Worship ● What is the significance of Nathaniel’s story? It’s a story of an Israelite who recognizes the Messiah even when not every expectation is met. – Israelite (Jacob) & “no deceit” (see Gen 27:35; Zeph 3:13) – Fig tree (Mic 4:4; Zech 3:8-10) – A symbol associated with restoration and with the study of God’s word, representing a place where the Torah, the law, was studied. – Jacob’s ladder (Gen 28:12) & Daniel’s vision (Dan 7).
The First Signs (John 2:1-25)
Wedding in Cana (2:1-12) ● First week and the third day (symbolic?) ● Weddings and messianic expectations. ● First sign (seven signs leading up to the resurrection) ● Mary’s advice is good advice: “Do whatever he tells you.” ● “My hour” (4:21, 23; 5:25, 28; 7:30; 8:20; 12:23, 27; 13:1; 16:2, 4, 25, 32; 17:1)
Passover Temple Cleansing (2:13-25) ● Three popular pilgrimage feasts (100-mile trip from Capernaum): – Passover (Mar/Apr)
– Pentecost (May/June), – Tabernacles (Sep/Oct). ● Question: Was this a different temple cleansing from the one during Jesus’ final week (Mt 21:12; Mk 11:15; Lk 19:45)? If so, Jesus framed his ministry with this symbolic act.
- Kingly Act a. Kings Hezekiah & Josiah both reformed the desolated temple. b. Judas Maccabeus rededicated the temple (Hanukkah / Feast of Dedication). c. Psalm 69:9 = Davidic Psalm
- Prophetic Act a. God’s disapproval & imminent judgment b. God’s restoration of something new with a faithful remnant
Reflection Focus:
- Jesus is just beginning His work and invites you on this journey to come, see, follow, and worship Him as King.
Firsts, Part 2: Week & Signs Instructions
Lesson
The First Witness (John 1:19-34)
John’s examination by the authorities (1:19-34) ● Priests, Levites, & Pharisees bring questions about John’s identity – “I am not the Messiah” – Are you Elijah? (2 Kgs 1:8; Mal 4:5; Jn 1:21?) – Are you The Prophet? (“One greater than Moses” – Dt 18:15) – Voice in the wilderness (Is 40:3) ● John’s confession (1:29-34) – Behold, “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
The First Witnesses (John 1:35-51)
The First Disciples (1:35-50) ● Discipleship Paradigm: – Come and see – Follow me – Worship ● What is the significance of Nathaniel’s story? It’s a story of an Israelite who recognizes the Messiah even when not every expectation is met. – Israelite (Jacob) & “no deceit” (see Gen 27:35; Zeph 3:13) – Fig tree (Mic 4:4; Zech 3:8-10) – A symbol associated with restoration and with the study of God’s word, representing a place where the Torah, the law, was studied. – Jacob’s ladder (Gen 28:12) & Daniel’s vision (Dan 7).
The First Signs (John 2:1-25)
Wedding in Cana (2:1-12) ● First week and the third day (symbolic?) ● Weddings and messianic expectations. ● First sign (seven signs leading up to the resurrection) ● Mary’s advice is good advice: “Do whatever he tells you.” ● “My hour” (4:21, 23; 5:25, 28; 7:30; 8:20; 12:23, 27; 13:1; 16:2, 4, 25, 32; 17:1)
Passover Temple Cleansing (2:13-25) ● Three popular pilgrimage feasts (100-mile trip from Capernaum): – Passover (Mar/Apr)
– Pentecost (May/June), – Tabernacles (Sep/Oct). ● Question: Was this a different temple cleansing from the one during Jesus’ final week (Mt 21:12; Mk 11:15; Lk 19:45)? If so, Jesus framed his ministry with this symbolic act.
- Kingly Act a. Kings Hezekiah & Josiah both reformed the desolated temple. b. Judas Maccabeus rededicated the temple (Hanukkah / Feast of Dedication). c. Psalm 69:9 = Davidic Psalm
- Prophetic Act a. God’s disapproval & imminent judgment b. God’s restoration of something new with a faithful remnant
Reflection Focus:
- Jesus is just beginning His work and invites you on this journey to come, see, follow, and worship Him as King.