John 2:23-25 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.
The apostle John teaches us an important lesson about Jesus Christ, “He knows the heart of man.” Many believed in His name upon witnessing His many miracles, but that did not necessarily equate into saving faith. Clearly, these believed that Jesus was from God and maybe even the Messiah, but did that belief transfer to a heart changing, life altering commitment as Jesus being Lord of their lives? Intellectual belief, although important, is not the same as heart-surrendering belief. James reminds us that even the demons believed (James 2:9).
The key to this passage is that “Jesus did not commit Himself, because He knew all men.” Jesus looks past the surface and deep within the heart. It is not a simple testimony of belief that transforms a man into a child of God, but a heart-surrendering, heart-regenerating trust that reveals itself in a new birth resulting in a new creation. John continued to explain this reality in the example of Nicodemus, a great student of the Word and one who recognized Jesus as one whom had come from God. Yet, Jesus explained pointedly to Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Therefore, each of us should humbly and fearfully examine our own faith even as Paul challenges us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” We can fool others and we can even fool ourselves, but not Jesus Christ. Jesus knows what is in us. He knows what is in our hearts and He alone is the Righteous Judge. Only those who have saving faith will He commit Himself and His glorious salvation.
Again, meditate on the truth, “He knows what is in man.” This includes you and me.
The apostle John teaches us an important lesson about Jesus Christ, “He knows the heart of man.” Many believed in His name upon witnessing His many miracles, but that did not necessarily equate into saving faith. Clearly, these believed that Jesus was from God and maybe even the Messiah, but did that belief transfer to a heart changing, life altering commitment as Jesus being Lord of their lives? Intellectual belief, although important, is not the same as heart-surrendering belief. James reminds us that even the demons believed (James 2:9).
The key to this passage is that “Jesus did not commit Himself, because He knew all men.” Jesus looks past the surface and deep within the heart. It is not a simple testimony of belief that transforms a man into a child of God, but a heart-surrendering, heart-regenerating trust that reveals itself in a new birth resulting in a new creation. John continued to explain this reality in the example of Nicodemus, a great student of the Word and one who recognized Jesus as one whom had come from God. Yet, Jesus explained pointedly to Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Therefore, each of us should humbly and fearfully examine our own faith even as Paul challenges us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” We can fool others and we can even fool ourselves, but not Jesus Christ. Jesus knows what is in us. He knows what is in our hearts and He alone is the Righteous Judge. Only those who have saving faith will He commit Himself and His glorious salvation.
Again, meditate on the truth, “He knows what is in man.” This includes you and me.
