Sunday: First Temple Cleansing — John 2:13-22
The buying and selling of animals in the area was rationalized as a convenience for pilgrims coming into Jerusalem. The first public work of Christ was driving the corrupt traders and money changers from the temple. With righteous zeal, He drove them away with a scourge, showing us a vital part of His character. This act became a sign to prove His spiritual authority as He foretells His death by the Jews. Foretelling His resurrection by His own power, Jesus promised to raise from the dead in three days.
Monday: Early Response to Miracles — John 2:23-25
People will pursue the miraculous, often just for the novelty. Drawn by powers and wonders—desiring to believe in something extraordinary—people often try to manipulate that power on their own terms. But receiving Christ must be done on God’s terms: we must come out of our darkness and into His light for true cleansing and renewal. God alone knows what is inside of men, for He tries the heart. We should reject dead faith, and shun all shallow professions. The true beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10).
Tuesday: Born Again — John 3:1-8
Jesus speaks literally of being born “from above,” or “from God.” One could also take the phrase as meaning “reborn,” which Nicodemus takes literally. Converts to Judaism were said to become “as newborn children” when they were baptized to remove Gentile impurity (even adopted sons under Roman law relinquished all legal status in their former family when they became part of a new one). “Born of water” (v. 5) clarifies that “born from above”means conversion, not a second physical birth. The element of water and operation of the Spirit were combined in a glorious prediction of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:25-27), but the religious formalism of the time seems to have blinded Nicodemus to it.
Wednesday: Son of Man Lifted Up — John 3:9-21
Jesus’ response shows that grace and truth is not foreign to the Old Testament, but are imbedded in it. However, Nicodemus and others seemed blind to it. God’s plan to give people a life with Him based on faith and not on Law is clearly taught in the Old Testament. Jeremiah promised a time when “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel…” (Jeremiah 31:31). God would now put His law in their minds and write it on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). When the new heart is created, new life begins, and one who is “born again” comes to know God in a totally different, deeply personal, family relationship. Nicodemus’ understanding was faulty: he knew the Law, but somehow missed the promise of grace.
Thursday: He Must Increase — John 3:22-30
In Jesus’ growing influence, John’s joy was fulfilled. The friend of the bridegroom was only an assistant, not the main participant in the marriage. He acted on behalf of the bridegroom and made the preliminary arrangements for the ceremony. His joy came when he heard the bridegroom coming for his bride. John baptized only with water, not with the Spirit. Therefore Jesus must become greater and John must become less.
Friday: He Who Comes from Above — John 3:31-36
These verses develop the theme of Jesus’ supremacy, including His: (1) preeminent sovereignty; (2) incomparable intimacy with the Father; (3) full empowerment of the Holy Spirit; (4) absolute endowed authority. To accept Christ for eternal life means to accept His total Lordship.
Saturday: Jesus Leaves Judea — Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14; John 4:1-3; Luke 3:19-20 and 4:14
Jesus actually left Judea to avoid persecution, which would have marred and limited His early ministry. God’s timing is always perfect, and there would later come a time when Jesus would respond to human rejection, directly confronting the controversies.