stempublishing.com : J. N. Darby : Synopsis : John : Chapter 2 | Next chapter |
Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 |
The third testimony to Christ at the marriage feast: millennial blessing
The two testimonies to Christ that were to be borne in this
world, both gathering to Him as centre, had been borne; that of
John, and that of Jesus taking His place in Galilee with the
remnant — the two days of God's dealings with Israel here below.*
The third day we find in chapter 2. A marriage takes place in
Galilee. Jesus is there; and the water of purification is changed
into the wine of joy for the marriage-feast. Afterwards at
Jerusalem He cleanses the temple of God with authority, executing
judgment on all those who profaned it. In principle these are the
two things that characterise His millennial position. Doubtless
these things took place historically; but, as introduced here and
in this manner, they have evidently a wider meaning. Besides, why
the third day? After what? Two days of testimony had taken place — that of John, and that of Jesus; and now blessing and judgment are
accomplished. In Galilee the remnant had their place; and it is the
scene of blessing, according to Isaiah 9 — Jerusalem is that of
judgment. At the feast He would not know His mother: this was the
link of His natural relation with Israel, which, looking at Him as
born under the law, was His mother. He separates Himself from her
to accomplish blessing. It is only in testimony therefore in
Galilee, for the moment. It is when He returns that the good wine
will be for Israel — true blessing and joy at the
end. Nevertheless He still abides with His mother, whom, as to His
work, He did not acknowledge. And this also was the case with
regard to His connection with Israel. The Son of God in His Father's houseAfterwards, in judging the Jews and judicially cleansing the temple, He presents Himself as the Son of God. It is His Father's house. The proof of this which He gives is His resurrection, when the Jews should have rejected and crucified Him. Moreover He was not only the Son: it was God who was there — not in the temple. It was empty — that house built by Herod. The body of Jesus was now the true temple. Sealed by His resurrection, the scriptures and the word of Jesus were of divine authority to the disciples, as speaking of Him according to the intention of the Spirit of God. The earthly revelation of Christ closed: heavenly things openedThis subdivision of the book ends here. It closes the earthly revelation of Christ including His death; but even so it is the sin of the world. John 2 gives the millennium; John 3 is the work in and for us which qualifies for the kingdom on earth or heaven; and the work for us, closing Messiah's connection with the Jews, opens the heavenly things by the lifting up of the Son of man — divine love and eternal life. Men's natural state as lost manifested
The miracles that He wrought convinced many as to their natural
understanding. No doubt it was sincerely; but a just human
conclusion. But another truth now opens. Man, in his natural
state,* was really incapable of receiving the things of God; not
that the testimony was insufficient to convince him, nor that he
was never convinced: many were so at this time; but Jesus did not
commit Himself to them. He knew what man was. When convinced, his
will, his nature, was not altered. Let the time of trial come, and
he would show himself as he was, alienated from God, and even His
enemy. Sad but too true testimony! The life, the death, of Jesus
proves it. He knew it when He began His work. This did not make
His love grow cold; for the strength of that love was in
itself. |
Previous chapter | Index | Next chapter |