I invite you to join me as we begin our journey through John Chapter 2, a remarkable section of Scripture that contains two profound events: the Wedding at Cana and Jesus cleansing the Temple courts. 

Though seemingly unrelated, these stories are deeply connected—and together, they reveal powerful lessons that still speak to our spiritual journey today.

Throughout this series, we will explore the rich layers of meaning found within John 2:

​Whether you’re familiar with these passages or encountering them for the first time, I believe you’ll find fresh insight that deepens your understanding and renews your trust in God’s work—both in the pages of Scripture and in your own life.

Lesson Handout: 

In this lesson, we explore the rich Hebrew idiom “to sit under a fig tree”—a phrase that, in ancient Jewish culture, came to mean sitting under the teaching of a Rabbi.

But how did a fig tree come to symbolize a Rabbi?

We begin with Proverbs 27:18, which draws a comparison between tending a fig tree and attending to one’s master. In both, the goal is the same: to cultivate fruit.

In Luke 8:24, the disciples refer to Jesus as “Master,” echoing this same dynamic.

The Hebrew Bible often uses trees as metaphors for people—Jesus himself says, “you will know them by their fruits.” This symbolic relationship between humanity and trees is not only poetic—it’s profound.

We'll trace this symbolism further through Psalm 1:3, where the one who meditates (Hebrew hagah) on the Torah is described as a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season.

In the first century, it was the Rabbis who hagah-ed the Scriptures—ruminating, growling over, and digesting the text in order to pass on insights to their students.

​In this context, the Rabbi becomes like a fig tree, cultivated for the sake of producing fruit in others.

Join us as we uncover the layered beauty of this ancient imagery, and see how sitting under a fig tree becomes a powerful metaphor for discipleship, wisdom, and spiritual nourishment.

Note:  These are the same lesson handouts as Week 21a

In this lesson, we explore the rich and multi-layered dialogue between Jesus and Nathanael in John 1:47–51. 

What begins with a curious statement about a man “under the fig tree” ends with a stunning reference to Jacob’s dream—the vision of angels ascending and descending from Genesis 28:10–15. But the connections don’t stop there.

You’ll discover how Jesus quotes Psalm 32:2, a psalm of David, and yet the ancient Rabbinic Midrash on that same verse ties it directly to Jacob, leading to a remarkable overlap of themes. 

Is it a coincidence? Not likely—there are no coincidences in Scripture.

🔍 In this teaching, we explore:

-  The significance of Jesus quoting Psalm 32:2
-  The Rabbinic Midrash that connects that Psalm to Jacob and the angelic ladder
-  Why “sitting under the fig tree” is more than just a casual detail
-  How Proverbs 27:18 (“He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit”) helps us interpret Nathanael’s character
-  The broader symbolism of angels ascending and descending and what it reveals about Jesus

This lesson introduces the passage's kaleidoscope-like depth, with each layer revealing a new, awe-inspiring angle on Jesus’s identity and mission.

Lesson Handout: 

Lesson Handout - click here 

​In today’s lesson, we continue our deep dive into the story of Jesus at the synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4). If you haven’t seen the previous teaching, we highly recommend watching that first to catch the full context of today’s discussion. Click here

At the end of the last lesson, we saw how the crowd in the synagogue turned on Jesus in a moment of intense fury—so much so that they tried to throw Him off a cliff. This wasn’t just mob violence; this was an attempted stoning according to the practices of ancient Jewish law.

In this episode, we ask an important question: If God commands the death penalty for certain crimes, and only says "by stoning," then how exactly was that supposed to be carried out?

​What principles guided the process? What safeguards were in place to protect justice and prevent abuse? And how might those principles inform the way we think about justice and the death penalty even today?

But that’s not all. We’ll also explore the psychology of group dynamics. Just a few verses before their rage, the synagogue crowd was speaking well of Jesus. What causes such a rapid shift in group behavior? How does anger spread through a crowd? And more importantly—what warning does this story offer to us as modern church communities?

Join us as we study the Hebrew background behind this dramatic moment and uncover lessons that are just as relevant today as they were in the first century.

​In this lesson, we explore the village of Nazareth and the famous question from Nathanael, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" 

Together, we’ll journey through the historical and spiritual context of this seemingly humble village—where the people, passionate about God’s Word and descended from the line of David, embraced a deep Messianic identity.

We’ll dive into how, inspired by Isaiah 11:1, the Galileans of Nazareth coined a special title for their town—one that harkened back to the prophecy of a “shoot” (Hebrew: ntzer) that would rise from the stump of Jesse, the father of King David. 

This Messianic fervor led them to affectionately call their village “shoot-ville” or “branch-town,” symbolizing their anticipation of the promised Messiah.

Join us as we uncover the profound hope and expectation that filled first-century Galilee and how it shaped the people’s view of their town—and the Messiah who would eventually come from it.

Lesson Handout - Click Here or below 

Lesson Scripture Reading

The Hebrew Bible presents two distinct pictures of the Messiah—one as a righteous king and the other as a suffering servant.  

Isaiah 11 describes a Davidic ruler, the "Messiah Son of David," who will judge righteously and establish a reign of peace. But Isaiah 53 speaks of a suffering servant, one who bears the sins of others.

Who is this suffering servant? The rabbis recognized this figure as Messiah Son of Joseph. 

Just as Joseph suffered betrayal by his brothers but ultimately ruled over Egypt, his suffering led to the salvation and unity of Israel. 

In Jewish writings, Messiah ben Joseph is a key figure whose suffering atones for the people.

In Jesus, both Messianic roles--Son of Joseph and Son of David—are fulfilled. 

He came first as the suffering servant, bearing the sins of the world, and was then exalted to reign at the right hand of the Father. 

Join us as we explore this profound biblical theme and uncover how the rabbis’ insights align with the life and mission of Jesus.

Lesson Handout:

In this lesson, we explore John 1:35-42, where we witness the moment when two of John the Baptist’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus.

This passage holds profound spiritual insight, revealed through the exploration of two significant Greek words: horao (ὁράω) and zeteo (ζητέω).

Horao, often translated as "behold," extends beyond physical sight. It speaks of perceiving, knowing, and seeing with spiritual eyes—experiencing a moment of spiritual clarity that transcends the physical realm.

When John the Baptist says, “Behold the Lamb of God,” he invites us to perceive and understand Jesus’ identity not just with our eyes but with our spirit, to know He is the promised Lamb of God.

Zeteo, translated as "to seek," embodies a profound spiritual yearning. It characterizes a seeker driven by an earnest desire to uncover truth and find meaning.

This is not mere curiosity or a casual pursuit but a pursuit marked by spiritual hunger.

This passage represents the initial enlightenment for any follower of Jesus—the moment of recognition and the beginning of the faith journey.

Here, John’s message to his first-century audience rings true: those who seek (zeteo) with all their heart will find the truth, and those who horao—behold and perceive—will come to know Jesus as the Messiah.

Through this lesson, you will gain insight into these foundational concepts of spiritual seeing and seeking, understanding that the journey of discipleship begins with a deep spiritual recognition and an unrelenting quest for truth.

Lesson Handout:

Notes on John 1:35-42:

When John the Baptist recounts the baptism of Jesus, he emphasizes two key details: the Spirit descending upon Jesus and the Spirit remaining on Him. 

But why are these details repeated? What message is being conveyed?

In this lesson, we uncover the profound meaning behind these words by diving into a Rabbinic Midrash on Genesis 1:2. 

This midrash reflects on the Spirit hovering over the chaotic waters of creation and draws connections to the Messianic prophecies in the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 11:2, 42:1, and 61:1—three prophetic passages about the Spirit resting on the Messiah—shaped how the rabbis understood Genesis 1:2 as referring to the “Spirit of King Messiah.” 

Jesus himself quotes from Isaiah 61 to describe His mission, and John the Baptist alludes to Isaiah 42 when he proclaims Jesus as the “Chosen One of God.”

So, when Jesus steps into the waters of baptism and the Spirit descends and remains on Him, it signals much more than a ritual moment—it reveals Jesus as the King Messiah, bringing God's reign back to Israel and the world.

Join us as we explore the deep connections between Genesis, Isaiah, and the Gospel of John. 

Understanding the ancient practice of Midrash opens up new layers of meaning in Scripture and helps us see how John's account of Jesus' baptism points to His identity and mission as Messiah.

Lesson Handout: 

Who exactly did John the Baptist claim to be, and why did he respond cryptically to the religious leaders questioning him? 

In this video, we explore John's reference to Isaiah 40:3, where he declares himself as "the voice of one crying in the wilderness." 

However, John does more than just quote the verse—he alters it, applying an alternate reading, a method commonly practiced by first-century Rabbis.

In ancient Jewish hermeneutics, the lack of punctuation in the original Hebrew text allowed multiple interpretations. 

Rabbis would intentionally explore different readings of the same verse to uncover deeper meanings in Scripture. 

Understanding this practice reveals what John was truly saying about his identity: he is the forerunner, the one preparing the way for the King Messiah’s arrival and the restoration of God's reign in Jerusalem.

We'll also explore the fascinating connection between John the Baptist and the Essene sect behind the Dead Sea Scrolls, who similarly went into the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord. 

Could John’s ministry have been influenced by the teachings and practices of the Essenes? 

Join us as we dive deep into the cultural, theological, and historical significance of John’s words and discover the powerful message he was declaring.

Lesson Handout: 

These notes are designed to help readers dive deeper into the rich layers of John's Gospel by highlighting key themes, historical context, and cultural references.

I have included hyperlinks to outside resources, providing quick access to additional materials that enhance understanding.

These notes serve as my personal tool to track the many references within John, offering a guided journey through this profound text.

​Whether you're a seasoned student of the Bible or just beginning, these notes are crafted to enrich your study and inspire a deeper appreciation of the Gospel of John.

These notes are designed to help readers dive deeper into the rich layers of John's Gospel by highlighting key themes, historical context, and cultural references.

I have included hyperlinks to outside resources, providing quick access to additional materials that enhance understanding.

These notes serve as my personal tool to track the many references within John, offering a guided journey through this profound text.

​Whether you're a seasoned student of the Bible or just beginning, these notes are crafted to enrich your study and inspire a deeper appreciation of the Gospel of John.