John 2:23-25 (Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem)

Rachel Workman: 3 Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. ²⁴ But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. ²⁵ No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like. This reading made me sad. Jesus didn't trust because he knew the nature of man. And man let him down, he was betrayed and wrongfully killed by man. Thank you Jesus for loving us bigger than we deserve. Thank you for being faithful even when we are not.

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John Burnett: 

²³ Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. ²⁴ But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. ²⁵ No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like.

This reminds me of the easy believism that is so prevalent today.  It is easy to say that you trust Jesus, especially when he is performing miracles right there in front of you, but they let the signs get in the way of the message.  Repent and believe the gospel.  The first part was something that many people are not willing to do because of their human nature.  If you don’t repent, you are not born again and he will not entrust the Holy Spirit to you.

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Mike Grimm: 

²³ Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. ²⁴ But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. ²⁵ No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like. The Son of God knows all about human nature. Jesus was well aware of the truth of Jeremiah 17:9 which states, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jesus was discerning, and He knew that the faith of some followers was superficial. Some of the same people claiming to believe in Jesus at this time would later yell “Crucify him!” It’s easy to believe when it’s exciting and everybody else feels the same way. But keep your faith firm even when it isn’t popular to follow Christ.

We Americans have it very easy in this country in terms of religious persecution, too easy in my opinion. There will come a day when Islam becomes the religious majority in this country. Then we will see persecution like we have never even imagined. We will be tortured and killed if we don’t renounce Christ. We will be forced to choose between renouncing Christ or watching our family tortured and killed right before our eyes. This is reality. Let’s not become complacent in our beliefs and practices. It’s so easy to sit back and say we will never renounce Christ. However, when you are nailed to a cross, stomach cut open, and all your intestines pulled out and laying on the ground for animals to feed on (this is a favorite tactic of the Taliban for Christians) you may look at your beliefs a little differently. Sorry to be so graphic but we must be strong in our beliefs and walk with Christ for this will be “the real world”, not today when we’re told we can’t put up a Nativity scene or say the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools.