When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone. -John 2:23-25 NRSV
This passage reminds me of what Jesus told Thomas after the resurrection: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” The folks in this passage were like Thomas in that they believed more in what they saw with their outer eyes than with their inner ones.
John writes that such people are those whom Jesus would not entrust himself to. Does this speak to you about the importance of faith? It does me. Just this morning I was begging God for a healing sign. It is in me to want a sign - that part of me is not trustable. Yet somehow I know that trust does not require miracles or signs.
Lord, help me to not need a sign to believe. Author faith in me today where there is doubt.
... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
My continual prayer is similar, "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!"
ReplyDeleteAmen to that Fred.
DeleteWhen this scripture says, 'many believed in His name,' that word "name" really means authority. They could see Jesus had authority because of the signs and wonders He performed. But...did they discern, by the Spirit, Who He really was as Peter did when he proclaimed: 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' I think not. They only believed what they could see with their natural eyes. But as Jesus said to Thomas, 'Blessed are those who have believed and have not seen' with natural eyes.
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