He knows your heart

Jesus did not entrust himself to them, because he knew what was in them. (John 2:23-25)

To put it in context, today's passage comes after Jesus is announced by John and calls his first disciples (John 1), and immediately after the miracle at Cana and the cleansing of the temple (John 2). Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Passover and many people are responding to his ministry. But the passage says that Jesus did not entrust himself to them.

The people in Jerusalem were very expectant that a messiah, or anointed one, would rise up and save them. We can see evidence of this sense of expectation in the visit of the wise men (Matt. 2:1-6), and in the account of Jesus' presentation in the temple (Luke 2:22-38). In the book of Acts, a Pharisee named Gamaliel lets us know that there had even been others who claimed to be a messiah (Acts 5:35-39). Given the people's expectations and Jesus' signs, many people started following Jesus.

Next, the text says that he saw right through them. The passage says he didn't entrust himself to them. Why? Because he knew their hearts. He knew that their faith was superficial or artificial. The crowds were showing a kind of faith of people joining a movement, or following a celebrity. There is a kind of faith the Bible says even the demons have (James 2:19), but the demons don't draw near in relationship; they shudder. This false faith lacks repentance. True saving faith seeks friendship with God (James 2:23). True faith obeys (John 14:21; 15:13-15), not out of compulsion or transaction, but out of love.

Jesus could see their hearts. "He himself knew what was in man." Jesus also knows your heart. Let me suggest that this can be a comforting reality. Jesus sees through all the posturing and signaling. He sees through all of our attempts at appearing to "be a good person." He sees right through to the shadowy corners of your heart where you try to tuck away guilt and shame and fear. Jesus sees through it all, in order to tell us that he has defeated our guilt, shame, and fear by dying on the cross and rising again. He restores innocence and honor and power by inviting us into his family, and calling us to live according to his teaching.

    As high as the heavens are above the earth,
        so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
    as far as the east is from the west,
        so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
    As a father shows compassion to his children,
        so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
    For he knows our frame;
        he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:11-14)

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Tuesday, 3/13/2018
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons