JESUS MEETS OUR NEEDS TO HELP US SEE HIM AND KNOW HIM.

SCRIPTURE | John 2:1-11

CENTRAL TRUTH

Jesus’s first miracle pointed to a greater miracle: The temporary cleansing that the law and the sacrificial system provided would be fulfilled in Him! Jesus’s sacrifice ushered in a way to be cleansed permanently by calling on Him for salvation. This miracle was a sign that the new covenant was coming—the one God promised would change us from the inside out (Jer. 31:33-34) and the one that would provide “streams of living water” deep within us through the Holy Spirit (John 7:38).

KEY QUESTION

WHAT WAS THE JARS’ PURPOSE (V. 6)? HOW DOES KNOWING THEIR PURPOSE HELP US UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE MIRACLE?

KEEP IN MIND

Many students struggle with trying to be better or do better on their own, but their efforts fall short. They revert back to old patterns and behaviors, even after having an experience with God at camp or in youth group. We must help them see that they can’t be better on their own. When it comes to sin, they can’t do better at all. Their efforts to be good will come up short. The more students try to be good enough apart from Jesus, the more disappointed and ashamed they’ll feel. The good news is that Jesus doesn’t just help us be better; Jesus makes us new (2 Cor. 5:17). He changes us into something we’re not. This transformation is a beautiful exchange that none of us deserve; we receive Jesus’s righteousness in exchange for Him taking our sin. Jesus makes us even better than better; He makes us new.

APPLICATION

GOD CAN CHANGE WATER INTO SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY, SO WHY DO WE STRUGGLE TO TRUST HIM WITH BIG AND SMALL DETAILS OF OUR LIVES?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: The God of all creation shares His Spirit with our students who have believed in Jesus for salvation. This is a miracle! God uses the big stuff in their lives, of course. But He uses the small stuff too, as the Spirit continually works to transform their hearts and minds.

FOR THE LEADER: Jesus’s words and actions pointed to His identity (v. 11). May our words and actions reveal His identity as the Savior—the One who redeemed us and made us new.