READING FOR JANUARY 5, 2026: ISAIAH 9, JOHN 2, PSALM 136 ISAIAH 9 Northern Israel before exile and when Jesus lived.
Verse one states God treated Naphtali and Zebulun (far left map) with contempt. The areas were part of the northern kingdom that was sent to Assyria. Isaiah prophesizes that this land, later known as Galilee (near left), will become glorious. As we read in the Gospels, Nazare- eth of Galilee was Jesus’s boyhood home and Capernaum of Galilee His ministry base (Matt. 4: 13-16). Note Isaiah lived centuries before this took place. This is an important proof for Jesus as the promised Messiah.
In what ways does Isaiah say this will be glorious? First, Jesus will be a light to the people (John 1:5). Then Jesus will multiply the nation in the sense that all who believe in Him will be part of the spiritual Israel (Gal. 3:29). We as believers will rejoice always in the Lord (Philippians 4:4). Jesus will set free those who are oppressed by sin and death (Luke 4:18). Note Isaiah proclaims a child, a human baby, is born, but also a Son is given, the eternal Son of God who had no beginning. This could only be fulfilled by the incarnation: Jesus who is both fully God and fully man. Some believe the government being upon Jesus’s shoulders to be a reference to the millennial reign during the end times. Others take this as meaning He is really reigning in His Kingdom now. Both could be true. For those who believe and listen to Him, He is a counselor like no other. He is the eternal, almighty, all holy, all wise, and all just God who brings peace to those who receive Him as Savior and Lord. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant to Israel in ways beyond what they could have known.
Starting with verse eight, a warning is given particularly to the northern kingdom. The people, sensing a national breakdown, mistakenly believe they will be able to rebuild better than before on their own. God will instead send stronger opponents against them from the east and the west in a pincher attack. Even this will not cause Israel to repent, nor will God’s wrath be appeased.
Israel, amazingly, will disregard God’s actions but pay attention to false prophets. This seems ludicrous but do we ever disregard the Lord’s discipline and cling to false prophets today who don’t preach the Word of God? There is a view of critical theory that oppressed peoples in terms of gender, race, and income cannot be held responsible for themselves unless they are recognized by those around them (their oppressors). Verse 17 speaks against this view: “Nor does He lGod] have compassion on their orphans or their widows; for every one of them is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth is speaking foolishness.” All people who reject God are subject to judgment. The chapter concludes with Israel’s continual rejection of God causing God’s continuing wrath upon them. The tribes of Israel will turn against each other, agreeing only on their hatred for Judah.
JOHN 2 As we move today into the main body of John, he leads us on the first steps of a divine treasure hunt: a series of seven clues (miraculous acts, which John calls signs); seven declarations by Jesus concerning his identity; a crescendo of confessions by his followers of who they understand Jesus to be; deliberate fulfillment of the Jewish religious systems and rituals, one after another; and Jesus speaking of time progressing from “my hour has not yet come” of this first miracle to “the hour has come” of his arrest and crucifixion. We will also see as we go along that every individual and group who encountered Jesus were faced with a decision. As John wrote in the prologue: The world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to
READING FOR JANUARY 5, 2026 CONTINUED: JOHN 2, PSALM 136 become children of God. (John 1:10-12) At first, they genuinely didn’t know who he was, but as he slowly revealed himself they would either receive him and believe him – and therefore follow and obey him – or they would reject him and take increasingly drastic measures to stop him. It seemed no one was indifferent to Jesus; he left no room for indifference.
At the wedding of Cana we are shown the first of the signs that John includes in his gospel: Jesus turning water into wine. Jesus is surely moved by compassion for the wedding parties, but he is also revealing in this seemingly small act a glimpse of the glory of God at work in and through him. As he told Nathanael, those who watch with even a little bit of faith will see heaven open and the angels coming and going in Jesus. This is the first signpost, and John specifically tells us that at this sign the disciples believed. Their belief was shallow at this point, an immature belief (a little faith, as Jesus will say later), but it was a beginning.
Another interesting detail of this story is that Jesus produced this wine in jars used for ceremonial washing. Wine was not made nor stored in jars like this. Why might he have chosen them to be filled with water which he turned into new wine? Perhaps it symbolized the fulfillment of the Old Testament ceremonial bathing for purification. Rather than water that cleans only the outside of a person, Jesus was bringing forth a new wine – the wine of his blood, the wine of the gospel – to cleanse the hearts of those who receive it.
The next scene of Jesus at the Temple brings many questions. An unknown prophet coming into town and turning the Temple upside down like he owned the place?? Shocking!! We can glean three things from it:
- The Temple was the place Israel’s God had promised to live in the midst of his people, like Jacob’s Ladder a place where heaven and earth met. And Jesus is judging it; the Temple had become corrupt and was not fulfilling its purpose. (The corruption will become increasingly obvious as we continue in the gospel.)
- This took place as Passover neared and Jesus made reference to his eventual crucifixion. John wants us to see that what Jesus did here was a hint of his coming fulfillment of the Passover.
- Jesus spoke and acted as if he had authority over the Temple. It’s impossible for us to understand the gravity of this for the Jewish leaders – indeed for all Jewish people. Again, we are seeing a glimpse here of what we will understand more as we go on. Who is this man who speaks with such authority? A devil or one sent by God?
“In the two vivid scenes of chapter 2, John has introduced us to almost all the major themes of the gospel story, and has given us food for thought about where it’s all going. But, as so often, he ends with a hint as to how people should respond: If you see the signs Jesus is doing, then trust him. Believe in him.” (N.T. Wright)
PSALM 136 This Psalm recalls Psalm 118 in that there are repeated calls for various groups to respond with the words “His mercy endures (hasdow) forever.” This word “hasdow” is now used in Psalm 136, although the phrase here is shouted in response 26 times instead of just five. Note that while King James Version translates it “mercy endures,” the NASB uses “faithfulness endures,” and the NIV uses “love endures.” Obviously, scho- lars see this Hebrew expression as having the range to accommodate these related English meanings. The rea= sons for shouting this mantra include the following: God’s goodness; being the ultimate God and Lord; His wonders; His wisdom in creation; His victory over Israel’s enemies; the heritage He bequeathed to Israel; His remembrance of Israel during hard times; His redemption of Israel; and his provisions for all living creatures. Having trouble finding reasons for which to praise God? This chapter alone provides enough to keep us busy.
