Title: Jesus didn’t Entrust Himself to them
There are 4 books of gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Matthew, Mark and Luke are called synoptic gospel which means they share the same perspective and the same approach to Jesus and to the Word of God.
The difference is Matthew, Mark and Luke focus on the physical side of Jesus whereas John focuses on the spiritual side of Jesus. For example, the gospel of Luke describes the nativity of Jesus in great detail (Luk 1:30-31). However, the gospel of John describes the origin of Jesus as the Word that was with God from the beginning (Jhn 1:1-2: Jhn 1:14).
The gospel of John tries to explain who Jesus is rather than whose son Jesus is.
Jhn 2:24 But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men,
John explains that Jesus didn’t entrust Himself to the people. In Korean’s common translation, it was translated as Jesus didn’t give His heart to the people, and other English translations translated as Jesus didn’t trust the people or didn’t believe the people.
- Why did Jesus not entrust Himself to the people?
It is because they believed in Jesus for seeing His signs and wonders (Jhn 2:23).
Greek word for ‘signs’ is ‘Semeion’ and it is used 17 times in the book of John. As we know, number 17 is a perfect numbers in the Bible, unless it is a great coincidence, it cannot be bad.
After the miracle of feeding 5000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, great number of people started following Jesus because they saw the miracle. After Lazarus being resurrected, the great multitude were willing to follow Jesus and even shouted “Hosanna in the highest” when He came into Jerusalem. However, when Jesus was caught and hung on the cross, these people left the faith of Jesus.
The best disciples of Jesus, Apostle Peter also promoted the idea of going back to their previous occupation, when Jesus died on the cross. Why? Because there were no signs and wonders that they expected. However, later when he received the Holy Spirit and understood Jesus and what Jesus said earlier, he became bold and courageous that he willed to die upside down on the cross.
Two disciples who were going down to Emmaus, they left the faith of Jesus because they thought Jesus failed. However, when Jesus expounded the scriptures to them, they went back to Jerusalem (Luk 24:32).
See, the one who believe in Jesus through signs and wonders have a potential to leave the faith of Jesus when they think there are no more signs and wonders they expected. However, the ones who believe in Jesus through understanding the Word of God will never leave the faith of Jesus.
Jhn 2:24-25 says that Jesus knew the hearts of the people. It means Jesus knew that they were following because of the signs and wonders but not because of the Word of God. That’s why Jesus didn’t entrust Himself to them.
- We should have an intimate relationship with Jesus
Those who believe in Jesus through sings and wonders are very dry in a way. It is not a loving relationship but rather it is like a business relationship. Therefore, we should have an intimate relationship with Jesus.
Among all the signs and wonders, the most supreme sign and the clearest sign is the Bible because it testifies about Jesus Christ.
Therefore, the best way to have an intimate relationship with Jesus is to study the Word of God in the Bible.
Martin Luther says that the Word of God is Christ in a manger. It means it seems not so important from outside but when you look inside, you will find Jesus Christ there. Kierkegaard says that the Word of God is God’s love letter. It means that we will not only find the information but the love of God from the Bible. Emil Brunner says that the Word of God is the voice of the Master. There is a story that a dog listens to the voice recording of its master in front of speakers. Likewise, it may seem like there are so much in the Bible, but we should be able to hear the voice of God.
When we see signs and wonders, there may not be changes in us, but when we truly study the Bible and have the relationship with Jesus, there will be a change. (Jhn 15:8). If we believe in Jesus, there must be a change in us: dedication, sacrificing and serving.
Conclusion: We should deliver the Word of God
Jhn 10:41 And many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.”
We know that John the Baptist didn’t fulfil His mission as the introducer of Jesus Christ. However, John the Baptist was the person closest to Jesus in timely manner and in spiritual manner (Luk 7:28).
John reveals that John the Baptist didn’t perform any signs and wonders, but he only preached about Jesus. We are to testify Jesus Christ who is coming again. We are to introduce Father God to the people in this last days. The founding pastor says that the church that preaches and testifies the Word of God and the gospel of the cross are the most successful churches in the eyes of God. Today, TLCC is the most successful church in the eyes of God. Today, you and I are the most successful people in the eyes of God. Amen!
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 