The Gospel of John: John 2.13-25

Read and meditate on John 2.20-22.
No one likes a Know-it-All. Unless that Know-it-All is Jesus. But some people didn’t like Him. Because knowing it all, Jesus knew too much – about them, their motives, and their evil hearts. He knows us, too.

                      ²³Now when He was in
Jerusalem for Passover, and when
the people saw the signs which He had done,
then many in His Name believed. ²⁴To none
of them did Jesus trust Himself, for He 
knew every man, ²⁵and Jesus had no need
for anyone to tell Him what was in 
the heart of man, for He knew every man.

- John 2.23-25

Reflect
1.  Apparently, Jesus did other “signs” while He was in Jerusalem for the Passover. We don’t know what they were, but many people who observed them “believed in His name.” As it turned out, though, how solid was this faith? What do these “many” seem actually to have believed?  Complete the following brief prayer: Lord, help me to believe in You, come what may, so that even when…

2.  Jesus did not trust Himself to these people. Why not? What did He know about them? Does what He knows about you lead Him to trust you? With what? I want to have Your trust, Lord, so that…

3.  John makes a point of telling us twice that Jesus knew what was in every person. It’s like he needed to say it twice so that it would have the desired effect. Meditate on Psalm 94.9-11. Could John have been cuing readers to recall this or similar passages of Scripture? Why? Does the Spirit of Jesus do that in your life? Father, point me often to Your Word, and remind me…

4.  How should we respond to the fact that Jesus knows what’s going on in our souls? What have we learned about Jesus thus far to make us think soberly about this fact? You know my soul, Lord; help me…

5.  Jesus knew what was in every person. He knew what the Jewish leaders were thinking, and where that would take Him. He knew the shallowness of those who “believed” because they saw the signs, and that they were only looking out for themselves. And yet He went ahead with His plans and agenda, despite knowing that many were arrayed against Him and few would stand with Him. How should this attitude of Jesus affect the way you live in your Personal Mission Field? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you composed from questions 1-4.

Summary
“If they believed, why did he not entrust himself to them? Clearly the words ‘many believed in him’ are not said about a firm and true faith, such as the faith of those who, after believing once that his words were true, considered him as a doctor of truth, without doubting the things said by him. That kind of faith is typical of the true believers. But here, John refers to people who were astonished by the events that happened and praised him as a great and admirable man. In fact, not all of them approved his words by showing their respect for him to others. Such respect, too, is typical of true believers. So, he added, ‘But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them.’ In these words there is a particular doctrine of the true faith. Indeed, the virtue of the knowledge of Christ is revealed through which he was not cheated by the outward appearance of those coming to him. Rather by recognizing precisely each of them for who they were, he knew already who were the true disciples and who were in doubt and coming to him under false pretenses.” Theodore of Mopsuestia (35-428 AD)

Jesus knows us. He knows the depth and trueness of our faith. He will entrust Himself and His Kingdom only to those whose faith is more than a self-interested commitment. What is Jesus looking for from us in the way of true, trustworthy faith?

Closing Prayer
LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the truth in his heart;
He who does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honors those who fear the LORD;
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.

Psalm 15

Psalm 15.1-3 (Arlington: This Is the Day the Lord Has Made)
Lord, who may dwell within Your tent, or on Your holy hill?
All those who keep Your covenant and walk within Your will.

All they who with integrity work peace and righteousness,
Forever in God’s house will be forgiven, kept, and blessed.

Let truth from every heart proceed, and slander disappear:
Thus shall we know God’s grace indeed, and feel His presence near.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.