Scripture: John 2:5 (ESV) – “His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’”

In this verse, J.C. Ryle highlights Mary’s unwavering faith and submission to Jesus’ authority. After hearing Jesus’ response in the previous verse, Mary does not argue or question Him. Instead, she simply instructs the servants to “Do whatever he tells you.” This statement reflects her trust in Jesus, confident that He will act in His own time and way, even if she doesn’t fully understand His plans.

Ryle emphasizes the simplicity and depth of Mary’s words, which serve as timeless counsel for every follower of Christ. “Do whatever he tells you” encapsulates the essence of true discipleship: obedience to Jesus. It is a call to listen carefully to His words and respond with faithful action, trusting His wisdom and power.

The involvement of the servants in this moment is also significant. Their willingness to follow Jesus’ instructions, even when the situation might have seemed puzzling, leads to the unfolding of His first miracle. Ryle reminds us that obedience, even in small and seemingly insignificant tasks, can be the means through which God’s glory is revealed.

This verse challenges us to examine our own response to Jesus’ words. Are we ready to do whatever He tells us, even when it requires faith, humility, or stepping outside our comfort zones? Mary’s example encourages us to trust Jesus completely, submitting our plans and expectations to His will.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Mary’s example of faith and submission inspire your own trust in Jesus?
2. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to “do whatever He tells you”?
3. How can you cultivate a heart of obedience, even in the small or uncertain moments of life?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Mary’s example of faith and trust in You. Teach us to listen to Your words and obey You in every aspect of our lives. Help us to trust Your wisdom, even when we don’t fully understand Your plans. May our obedience, like that of the servants, be a means through which Your glory is revealed to the world. Strengthen our faith and guide us to always do whatever You tell us. In Your name, Amen.

Scripture: John 2:4 (ESV) – “And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’”

J.C. Ryle, in his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, carefully examines Jesus’ response to Mary in this verse. Though it might initially seem abrupt, Ryle helps us understand the deeper significance and gentleness behind Jesus’ words. By addressing Mary as “Woman,” a term of respect rather than reproach, Jesus gently establishes a shift in their relationship. As He begins His public ministry, His actions are no longer guided by familial ties but by His divine mission and the will of His Father.

The phrase, “What does this have to do with me?” highlights Jesus’ deliberate focus on His Father’s timing and purpose. Ryle points out that Jesus is not dismissing Mary’s concern but is asserting that His actions must align with God’s sovereign plan. The statement, “My hour has not yet come,” points to the ultimate “hour” of His mission—His death and resurrection. This verse reminds us that Jesus’ work on earth was always intentional, leading to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.

Ryle emphasizes the importance of trusting in Jesus’ timing. Though Mary may have wanted immediate action, Jesus operates according to a divine schedule, not human urgency. This teaches us that while we may bring our concerns to Him, we must also submit to His perfect wisdom and timing, knowing that His plans are higher than ours.

This moment challenges us to reflect on our relationship with Christ. Are we willing to trust His timing, even when it doesn’t align with our own desires? It also reminds us that Jesus’ ultimate purpose was far greater than solving temporary problems—His mission was to bring eternal salvation.

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you respond when God’s timing doesn’t align with your expectations?
2. What can this verse teach you about submitting your desires to God’s greater purposes?
3. How does Jesus’ focus on His divine mission encourage you to trust in His eternal plan?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your perfect wisdom and timing. Teach us to trust in Your plans, even when they don’t align with our own expectations. Help us to bring our concerns to You with faith, while submitting to Your greater purpose for our lives. Thank You for Your mission to bring salvation, and may we live each day in the light of that eternal hope. In Your name, Amen.

Scripture: John 2:3 (ESV) – “When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’”

J.C. Ryle, in his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, draws attention to the human and spiritual dynamics at play in this verse. The running out of wine at a wedding feast would have been a serious social embarrassment in Jewish culture, where hospitality was held in high esteem. This moment sets the stage for Jesus’ first miracle, and Mary’s words reveal her faith in His ability to address the situation.

Ryle notes that Mary’s statement, “They have no wine,” is both a simple observation of the need and an implicit appeal for Jesus to act. Though she does not explicitly ask Him for a miracle, her words demonstrate trust in Him to provide a solution. This interaction reveals the close relationship between Jesus and His mother, while also hinting at a transition—Jesus is no longer acting solely as her son but as the Messiah with a divine mission.

The running out of wine also carries a deeper spiritual meaning. Ryle highlights how this moment symbolizes the insufficiency of human resources to meet our deepest needs. Just as the wine at the feast was inadequate, so too are human efforts insufficient to bring true joy, fulfillment, or salvation. This sets the stage for Jesus to reveal His glory by providing not just enough wine, but an abundance of the best wine—pointing to the overflowing grace and provision that comes from Him alone.

This verse challenges us to reflect on our own lives. When we face lack or insufficiency, do we, like Mary, bring our needs to Jesus with trust and expectation? It also reminds us that Jesus cares about the practical concerns of life and is able to transform moments of crisis into opportunities to reveal His power and grace.

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you respond when faced with insufficiency or lack in your life?
2. Do you bring your needs to Jesus with the same trust and faith that Mary demonstrated?
3. How can you recognize God’s hand in providing abundantly in situations where your own resources fall short?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for caring about every detail of our lives, even the moments when we feel we’ve run out of what we need. Teach us to trust You like Mary did, bringing our concerns to You in faith. Help us to see Your hand at work, transforming our lack into abundance through Your grace. May we live with confidence in Your power to provide and sustain us in all circumstances. In Your name, Amen.

Scripture: John 2:2 (ESV) – “Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.”

J.C. Ryle, in his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, highlights the significance of Jesus’ presence at this wedding in Cana. This verse demonstrates that Jesus was not detached from the ordinary affairs of human life. He accepted the invitation to a wedding feast, choosing to begin His public ministry in a setting of joy and celebration. His attendance shows us that He is not a distant or aloof Savior, but one who fully enters into human experience.

Ryle notes that Jesus’ willingness to be present at such an event teaches us that there is no aspect of life too small or insignificant to invite Him into. A wedding, an occasion of great joy but also of routine human activity, becomes a place where Jesus chooses to reveal His glory. This reminds us that Christianity does not call us to a life of rigid solemnity but to one where even our celebrations can honor God.

Furthermore, the mention of Jesus’ disciples being with Him underscores the communal aspect of faith. Ryle points out that the disciples were still in the early stages of their relationship with Jesus. By witnessing His participation in ordinary life and, soon, His miraculous power, their faith would grow. This setting reflects how Jesus reveals Himself progressively to those who follow Him.

Ryle also sees a deeper spiritual lesson in Jesus’ presence at the wedding: He affirms the goodness of marriage and human relationships as ordained by God. In attending the wedding, Jesus not only blesses the couple but also sanctifies the institution of marriage as a reflection of God’s design.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ presence at a wedding encourage you to invite Him into both the joyful and ordinary moments of your life?
2. What does this verse teach you about living out your faith in community with others?
3. How can you honor God in your celebrations and relationships, following Jesus’ example?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us that You are present in every part of life, even in our celebrations. Help us to invite You into all our moments, both ordinary and extraordinary. Teach us to live in a way that honors You, bringing You into every relationship, gathering, and event. May we, like Your disciples, grow in faith as we witness Your work in our daily lives. In Your name, Amen.

Scripture: John 2:1 (ESV) – “On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.”

J.C. Ryle, in his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, draws our attention to the setting and significance of this event, the wedding at Cana. This verse introduces the first miracle performed by Jesus, marking the beginning of His public ministry. The seemingly ordinary context—a wedding celebration—reminds us that Jesus’ presence and work are not confined to places of worship or moments of great solemnity but extend to the everyday joys and gatherings of life.

Ryle emphasizes the importance of the “third day” mentioned here. This detail ties the event to the sequence of the preceding verses, where John describes the calling of the first disciples. It signals the unfolding of Jesus’ ministry as He begins to reveal His glory to His followers. The wedding feast itself serves as a fitting backdrop for this first sign, symbolizing joy, union, and the blessings of life—all of which find their truest meaning in Christ.

Additionally, Ryle notes that the inclusion of Mary, the mother of Jesus, shows the relational and communal nature of the scene. It reflects the human side of Jesus’ life, as He participated in the normal social events of His time. This teaches us that Christianity is not a faith that withdraws from the world but one that transforms and sanctifies ordinary life.

Ryle’s reflections remind us to recognize the presence of Jesus in all aspects of life, even in the seemingly mundane or joyous occasions. His attendance at the wedding underscores His interest in the joys of human relationships and His willingness to bless them with His presence and power.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ presence at a wedding encourage you to invite Him into the ordinary moments of your life?
2. In what ways can you seek His transformative power in both the significant and the everyday events you experience?
3. How does the communal nature of this scene inspire you to see faith as something lived out in fellowship with others?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us that You care about every part of our lives, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Help us to invite You into our daily activities, trusting that Your presence transforms and sanctifies everything. Teach us to see Your glory even in the simple joys of life, and may we live with a deeper awareness of Your work in our midst. In Your name, Amen.

Scripture: John 1:51 (ESV) – “And he said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’”

In John 1:51, Jesus ends His conversation with Nathanael by making a profound and mysterious promise. He uses the phrase “Truly, truly” (or “Amen, amen”) to emphasize the importance of what He is about to say. Jesus tells Nathanael that he will witness “heaven opened” and “the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” This promise is a glimpse into Jesus’ divine identity and the mission He came to fulfill.

The imagery of angels ascending and descending recalls Jacob’s vision in Genesis 28:12, where a ladder connects heaven and earth, symbolizing God’s presence and His relationship with humanity. In this passage, Jesus reveals that He is the ultimate fulfillment of that vision. As the “Son of Man,” Jesus Himself becomes the connection between heaven and earth, the mediator through whom God’s glory is revealed and His redemptive plan accomplished.

This verse is also an invitation to Nathanael—and to all believers—to see the greater reality of who Jesus is. His life, death, resurrection, and ascension will open the way to heaven, bridging the gap between God and humanity. Through faith in Him, we are given access to the presence of God and a hope that transcends this world.

For us today, this verse reminds us that following Jesus leads to deeper revelations of His glory and grace. It invites us to look beyond the surface and see the spiritual reality of what Jesus has accomplished. It’s a call to worship Him as the Son of Man, the One who connects heaven and earth, and to trust in His power to fulfill His promises.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does the image of Jesus as the connection between heaven and earth deepen your understanding of His mission?
2. In what ways do you experience the “open heaven” that Jesus provides through His life and work?
3. How can you live with a greater awareness of the spiritual realities revealed through Jesus?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are the Son of Man, the One who opens heaven and connects us to the Father. Thank You for revealing Your glory and inviting us into the fullness of life with You. Help us to live with a deeper awareness of who You are and what You have accomplished for us. Strengthen our faith and give us eyes to see the greater things You are doing in our lives and in the world. May we always trust in Your power and rest in the hope of heaven that You provide. In Your name, Amen.

Scripture: John 1:50 (ESV) – “Jesus answered him, ‘Because I said to you, “I saw you under the fig tree,” do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’”

In John 1:50, Jesus responds to Nathanael’s declaration of faith with both affirmation and promise. Nathanael’s belief, sparked by Jesus’ supernatural knowledge, is significant, but Jesus assures him that this is just the beginning. Nathanael will witness even greater demonstrations of Jesus’ power, glory, and divine authority.

This verse reveals the abundant nature of faith in Christ. Jesus doesn’t rebuke Nathanael for believing based on what he has seen but encourages him to anticipate even more profound revelations of God’s work. This speaks to the progressive nature of faith. What begins with a single moment of belief grows as we walk with Jesus and experience His transformative power in our lives.

The phrase “greater things than these” points to the miracles, teachings, and ultimately the death and resurrection of Jesus that Nathanael and the other disciples would witness. It is a reminder that faith in Jesus opens the door to an ever-deepening understanding of who He is and what He has done for us. The journey of following Christ is one of continual discovery, where each step reveals more of His grace and truth.

This verse challenges us to consider whether we expect “greater things” in our relationship with Jesus. Do we approach our faith with anticipation and trust, believing that God is still at work in and through us? Like Nathanael, we are invited to believe not only because of what we have already seen but also because of the promises of what is yet to come.

Reflection Questions:

1. How has your faith grown as you’ve experienced more of who Jesus is?
2. Are you living with expectation, trusting that God has greater things in store for your journey of faith?
3. How can you remain open to the ways Jesus wants to reveal Himself more fully in your life?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for meeting us in our moments of faith and for the promise of greater things to come. Help us to live with anticipation, trusting in Your power and plans for our lives. Teach us to walk closely with You, growing in faith and understanding as You reveal more of who You are. May we always trust in Your promises, knowing that You are working in ways beyond what we can see. In Your name, Amen.

Scripture: John 1:49 (ESV) – “Nathanael answered him, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’”

In John 1:49, Nathanael moves from skepticism to faith in a single moment. After experiencing Jesus’ supernatural knowledge of his life, Nathanael boldly declares, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” This dual confession reveals both his recognition of Jesus’ divine nature and his understanding of Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Nathanael’s use of the title “Rabbi” reflects respect for Jesus as a teacher, but it is the second part of his confession that stands out. Calling Jesus “the Son of God” acknowledges His divinity—a profound realization for someone who had just met Him. By also proclaiming Jesus as “the King of Israel,” Nathanael connects Jesus to the Messianic promises of the Old Testament. He sees Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Israel, the One who has come to reign in righteousness.

This moment demonstrates the transforming power of encountering Jesus. Nathanael begins with doubt, questioning whether anything good could come from Nazareth, but ends with a declaration of faith. Jesus didn’t rebuke Nathanael’s initial skepticism; instead, He revealed Himself in a way that spoke directly to Nathanael’s heart, leading him to believe. This reminds us that Jesus meets us where we are, addressing our doubts and drawing us into deeper faith.

Nathanael’s confession also challenges us to consider our own understanding of who Jesus is. Do we see Him as merely a teacher or guide, or do we recognize Him as the Son of God and King of our lives? Faith begins when we acknowledge Jesus for who He truly is, and it grows as we experience His power and presence in our lives.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Nathanael’s journey from skepticism to faith encourage you in your own faith journey?
2. What does it mean for you to confess Jesus as both the Son of God and the King of your life?
3. Are there areas in your life where you need to invite Jesus to reign as King?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are the Son of God and the King of all creation. Like Nathanael, we confess our faith in You and acknowledge Your authority over our lives. Thank You for meeting us in our doubts and revealing Yourself to us. Strengthen our faith and help us to live each day with the confidence that You are our Savior and King. May our lives reflect the truth of who You are, and may we boldly declare Your name to the world. In Your name, Amen.

Scripture: John 1:48 (ESV) – “Nathanael said to him, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’”

In John 1:48, Nathanael expresses astonishment at Jesus’ knowledge of him, asking, “How do you know me?” Jesus’ response—that He saw Nathanael under the fig tree before Philip called him—reveals His divine omniscience. This moment is deeply personal, showing Nathanael that Jesus knows him completely, even in ways beyond human comprehension.

The mention of the fig tree is significant. In Jewish culture, a fig tree was often a place of reflection, prayer, or study. While the exact details of what Nathanael was doing under the fig tree are unknown, Jesus’ knowledge of this moment speaks to His ability to see and know the intimate details of our lives. This revelation profoundly impacts Nathanael, leading him to recognize Jesus as the Son of God in the next verse.

Nathanael’s question, “How do you know me?” reflects a universal longing to be known and understood. In a world where people often feel overlooked or misunderstood, this verse reminds us that Jesus knows us fully. He sees our actions, hears our prayers, and understands our hearts. His knowledge is not distant or judgmental but personal and loving.

This encounter challenges us to reflect on our response to Jesus’ knowledge of us. Do we find comfort in being known by Him, or does it make us hesitant because of areas we’d rather keep hidden? Jesus’ interaction with Nathanael shows that being fully known by Him leads not to condemnation but to a deeper relationship with the One who loves us completely.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does it comfort you to know that Jesus sees and knows every detail of your life?
2. Are there areas in your life you try to hide from God, and how can this verse encourage you to bring them to Him?
3. How can you grow in trust, knowing that Jesus knows you fully and loves you completely?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for knowing us so deeply and loving us completely. Help us to trust in Your knowledge of our lives, even the parts we feel are hidden. Teach us to find peace and security in being fully known by You. Like Nathanael, may we respond to Your divine insight with faith and awe, drawing closer to You each day. Use Your knowledge of us to shape us into the people You’ve called us to be. In Your name, Amen.