A Life Worth Living

Imagine what following Jesus would have been like. Watching him perform signs, and listening to his profound wisdom and deep understanding of scripture . All the evidence right in front of your eyes. Can you picture yourself as an eye witness to Jesus’ ministry?

It must have been mind blowing, exciting? and unbelievable. I am fascinated as I read the opening chapters of John. By all accounts, Jesus’ ministry seems to be off to a good start. John the Baptist affirms that Jesus is the promised one. Jesus calls his first disciples, who, convinced of who He is, ask others to follow him. A woman evangelizes to her whole town about her encounter with him and he is racking up followers. In fact, John 2:28 says many believed when they saw the signs He was doing. Yet these are the words John records about Jesus;

“But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.”

Jesus’ response made me ask myself several questions but for today’s blog we will explore one question. What is in man? What is hidden behind the smile. What are our secret thoughts, desires, and intentions. Who knows the secrets of our heart?

While we might be tempted to see ourselves in a better light than we actually are, Jeremiah describes what is in us; the heart as deceitful and wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9) Jesus being God, understood what was in man. He could see into their hearts and knew that the same people who were quick to follow would abandon their belief when circumstances changed. Their faith would waiver, and they would ask for more and more signs. They would reject him, plot against him, deny him and eventually crucify him.Although these specific events happened in the lifetime of Jesus, the heart of man hasn’t changed.

I see the same tendencies in myself. In how I sometimes relate to God. In how my faith waivers when it should be strong. I doubt and ask for God to show me just one more sign. Scripture is a mirror that allows us to see ourselves rightly in light of who God is.

What is in man? We are moved by what we see. We are changed by our circumstances. We want God to perform just one more miracle, answer one more prayer. We are fickle, and quick to abandon. We want what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. We are like shifting shadows. Thankfully, the reality doesn’t end there because knowing what He knew about men (humanity), Jesus still called men to follow Him. To be His witnesses. He did not entrust Himself to the masses. That is true. Yet because of Grace, he called individuals who were part of the mass of fallen humanity to be His own and to be His witnesses. And He is still doing that today.

Oh how great is God’s wisdom and kindness. How glorious His riches of love for me through Christ. To God be the glory!

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