I ended the previous message with a prayer of thanksgiving for the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. When He was in the Temple in Jerusalem, the Jews did not understand when he told them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” But He was referring to the Temple of His body, which was corrupted and which was rebuilt in 3 days. We stopped at v.22 and today we will read from 23 to 25.
„Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.” (John 2:23-25 NASB)
Many believed in the Lord Jesus because they saw the signs He was doing. And indeed we read in the other gospels how He healed people, freed them from the devil, and multiplied the loaves. However, it seems that Jesus was not impressed by people’s faith generated by signs and wonders. The phrase “but Jesus did not trust them because he knew them all” suggests this. We will see later how, after feeding 5,000 people, the crowds sought Jesus, not for the teaching He was giving, but for a new portion of food. That is the sinful nature of man. Most people come to God to fulfill a need. Either to cure them, to give them a life partner, or to improve their financial condition, etc. But after God, in His mercy, answers their prayers, they turn away from God and no longer seek Him.
But let us not be such people. Let us follow the Lord Jesus not for material things, but for His words, which are spirit and life and which give us the hope of eternal life. Let us seek Him wholeheartedly and follow Him unconditionally.
Let us pray: “My Father who art in heaven. Help me to follow you unconditionally and whether I am rich or lacking, to remain faithful to you. Help me to have a faith that is not drawn to signs and miracles, but based on Your Word. In the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.”
May the Lord help us to take up our cross today and follow our Savior. I wish you a nice day.
May God bless you!
Translated by Liza Bîrlădeanu