AHKriska

What is the problem with faith that rests solely on miracles? Faith based on miracles would require a steady stream of miracles in our life to keep our faith alive. Is it true faith? No, it supports our faith but should not be the sole reason for our faith. What is necessary for it to develop into true faith? A heart melted and constantly seeking that which is of God, in our actions, our words, our thoughts, and our prayers. A heart filled with agape love, God's love for the world and its people. Did Jesus see these problems as a reason not to perform miracles? No, He performed miracles for the benefit of His disciples so that they would be prepared to do the same upon His departure.

Apparently, Jesus was angry. Was his anger justified? Yes, His anger was justified. Why? It appeared to Him that people had forgotten the purpose of the temple. Instead they were concerned for their own gain. Is anger good or bad? Anger is good. It's okay to get angry. What about anger gets us into trouble? Displaying anger inappropriately is not good. The outcome of our anger should lead people to God, not discourage them. Anger control is the key to engaging people in a discussion that is a blessing rather than a hindrance to prayer or belief in God.

What was going on in the temple? coin exchange for profit. selling of goods to pay the coin exchange fee or for coins to pay the tax. Why was Jesus offended by it? The place was no longer a place to worship God, His father, but a place of open, loud, noisy, disturbing market activities. What action did Jesus take? He scolded while tossing the exchange/sales tables aside and whipping the men out of the temple.

Why did Jesus perform this miracle behind-the-scenes? As was pointed out, "it's not yet time." Those who witnessed the miracle need to see it happen. Who was he trying to protect? One could say that He was trying to protect God's plan, if that is possible. What does the quantity of the wine tell us about Jesus’ glory? He abounds/fills us to the brim with His glory, mercy, and love. What does the quality of the wine tell us about Jesus’ glory? He anoints us with only the best.

Why do you think alcoholics are quick to point out this miracle? When I was a lot younger I was addicted to alcohol and I recall this passage as a crutch. I thought to myself, "Oh good, people in the bible drank wine. It must be okay." However, as a miraculously recovered alcoholic, I see wine as a visual aide to God's many messages about life and salvation. While I take wine during communion, I know that I have to be careful. Which is wrong: drinking wine or drunkenness? Nothing wrong with drinking wine. Some people can have a glass and that's it. Others like me, a glass is not enough. Whether it's chemical makeup or an illness, I just know that one glass will never be enough to feed that addiction. How can we avoid excesses and still enjoy God’s good gifts? Through daily and sometimes hourly prayer I go through life to avoid becoming addicted to one thing or another: drugs, alcohol, work, gambling, etc. God has saved me many many times throughout my life and He has made me content in His presence. He makes me to understand that He is all I need. Thank you, Jesus.

Why do you think Mary pushes Jesus to solve the wedding host's problem? As others mentioned, running out of wine is a social blunder/misstep. However, I believe and a problem calls for a miracle as is often the case in our lives. And Mary knew that her son can fix the problem. Pointing it out was essential to the ministry. Are her words to Jesus appropriate? She asked once. Then twice. Important business she is about. Jesus took notice. Would you categorize Jesus' reply as a rebuke? Then Jesus highlighted the situation with a slight rebuke bringing the situation to the attention to those around Him. If so, why does he go ahead with the miracle? Again, the rebuke brought the situation to the top of the agenda. Time for a miracle. Yes!

Why are we sometimes "too busy" to spend time with friends and relatives? Great comments. I'll add that my ministry is wherever God puts me. And it is often not near my home. So my friends become my relatives. Not as much shared baggage, I'll have to say. So, selfishly, I enjoy spending time with friends wherever I am. However, as a human "bean", I sometimes do get too busy for even that. Before television and the onslaught of electronic devices were invented, visits with friends and family was our "TV", our entertainment, our enjoyment. Unfortunately, I fall in the category of over-consumption at times. Something to pray about for sure. What does Jesus' attendance at this wedding tell us about him? I am guessing that there was one person at that wedding who needed to see and/or hear Jesus. Or there could have been several who needed him (without knowing or realizing that need.) I believe that we are put in places where God needs us to be -- for that one person or several. How can we apply that learning in our own personal lives? Having experienced an unjustly unkind and often vicious childhood, I am prone to think..."For such a time as this, I went through that." I think it's what keeps me going. God allowed me to experience some pretty rough times. But I find myself in situations or with people who need me to empathize or understand their situation to help them through it. I pray that God has a hand in this always. "Thy will be done, Lord. Thy will be done."

Which aspects of Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 7:13-14 does Jesus apply to his title as Son of Man? The description “Son of Man” was a Messianic title. Jesus is the One who was given dominion and glory and a kingdom. When Jesus used this phrase, He was assigning the Son of Man prophecy to Himself. The Jews of that era would have been intimately familiar with the phrase and to whom it referred. Jesus was proclaiming Himself as the Messiah. http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Son-of-Man.html When will the Son of Man complete his ministry? Just as it says in Daniel 7, "His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

How does Jesus deal with Nathanael's skepticism? Jesus immediately told Nathanael something only Nathanael would know. I'm sure it shocked Nathanael but it also got his attention. What was the nature of the miracle? Divine knowledge. Knowing without seeing. Upon coming to faith, what title does Nathanael bestow upon Jesus? Son of God, King of Israel.

What role does Andrew play in Simon Peter's conversion? He went running, I'm sure excitedly, to tell his brother the good news..."tell his brother." Today, why do so many Christians substitute bringing a person to Jesus with bringing them to church? It's easier to put the responsibility of "bringing" someone to experience a personal relationship with Jesus on the "church." It's often more difficult to be part of the church (outside the walls) and testify your own relationship/life with Jesus and in doing so, lead someone to their own personal relationship. What might be the similarities? Hearing testimony. Listening to the Word. Praying. Socializing. What might be the differences? Closer personal relationship with each other in an intimate setting. Opportunity to dig deep and find faith deep down. Opportunity to mentor an up and coming disciple.

My response is closer to Dillards' than any other. To me, these three questions are loaded for a "faith" answer. Just like it does not matter where we are going, it should not matter where Jesus is going, except that where He is going matters to where we are going. Having faith in Jesus so that we base our whole lives on Him, His words, His commands, His agape love, to me, is the whole meaning of life on earth. Each day I pray, "thy will be done, Lord, in my life", and He delivers. Most times He delivers the unexpected but in the long run, it makes sense. Good questions.

John the Baptist recommended his followers to follow his cousin Jesus. I'm sure the cost was losing two followers but I'm just as sure that his following increase. Not sure. I'll have to study further.