October 11, 2023 – Wednesday
John 2:23-25 NKJV
23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
John 2:23-25 NET
23 Now while Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover, many people believed in his name because they saw the miraculous signs he was doing. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people. 25 He did not need anyone to testify about man, for he knew what was in man.
Comments
I posted the above verses on Facebook ten years ago today. Why, I do not recall, but I do have the comments I made then which I will share and then add my new comments based upon a deeper reading. What I posted then was, Seeing was believing for many, but Jesus was looking for those who would believer without seeing. Those who ‘required’ signs and wonders were not those He would entrust His story with because for many of them they were simply “fans” – enjoying the show, but having no intention of sticking around if things became difficult. His disciples were another story as are many many believers today.
When we look at verse 23 alone, 23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did, it becomes clear that the faith of those who believed was dependent upon the signs He did, without coming to any deeper faith. They saw the signs and believed He had some power, but they had no real faith or conviction that He was the Messiah. Their faith, such as it was, was not even close to the faith of the disciples or those described by Jesus in John 20:29, 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Then in verse 24, 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people, we have what is something of a confusing verse for me. I like what the Pulpit Commentary tells us, This remarkable expression corresponds with many actions and methods of Jesus. When he was offered the homage of devils, he forbade them to speak. When those who had been simply healed of bodily disease began garrulously to proclaim his praises, he silenced them. He had no faith in their faith, and consequently did not open to them more of his nature. Jesus perceived that they were easily, but not deeply moved by what He had done. This is very different when compared to what He said in John 8:31, 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. Ah, motivation to spend time in His word, the Bible!
And we end with verse 25, 25 [He] had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. An obvious truth at the end of this verse for as John 1:3 tells us, 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. The key here is that He knew what was in their hearts and no one would be able to deceive Him with some false or short-lived endorsement. Jeremiah 17:10, 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. Jesus was judging the hearts of those who had such shallow and superficial faith.
Bottom Line: We must never forget that Jesus can indeed see into our hearts. As a result, He knows our faith and the reality of the depth of it. Our goal should be that our faith deepens more and more over time no matter what comes into our lives.
Prayer: Almighty God, Once again thank You for such a warning about letting our faith decrease in depth rather than increasing all the time. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor (Still working for the Glory of God)