6 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.”
John 2:24-25 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Listen to how the New Living Translation conveys the meaning of what John said. Particularly observe the word “trust” and how it is used.
John 2:23–25 (NLT): “Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.”
Simply put, those people were trusting in Jesus … but Jesus didn’t trust them. Why? Because “he knew what was in each person’s heart.”
Trust is an essential ingredient for relationships. You cannot enjoy a meaningful relationship with someone unless your trust in them goes deep.
That’s why betrayal by a trusted friend or family member hurts exponentially more than it does with someone else. The deeper the trust goes, the more intense the pain when that trust is violated.
And that’s where the problem comes into focus. If we trust no one, we protect our heart but we also deny ourselves the ability to enjoy soul-satisfying relationships. But, if we trust others, we run the risk of being hurt deeply.
The answer is found in how Jesus responded to people. Jesus’ inner circle (Peter, James, and John) knew Jesus more than anyone else. As you read the Gospels, you can observe that He spent more time with those three guys than with anyone else. I suspect that Jesus shared quite a few things with them about Himself that others simply didn’t get to hear.
But when Jesus was faced with the crowds in John 2, He didn’t open His heart to them. Jesus knew that they couldn’t be trusted so He “would not entrust Himself to them.”
Friend, you’ve got to have at least one person with whom you share your heart. You’ve got to have at least one person who knows who you really are. As you entrust yourself to them, you are opening yourself up to be hurt. (Imagine what it would have felt like to trust Peter only to have him deny you three times as you went off to your death.) But, you simply cannot have relationships without trust. Trust is a risk but it is a necessary risk.
But, be very careful who you trust. Jesus didn’t trust everyone and neither should we.
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Lord Jesus, I trust You. Honestly, I want to trust You more. But the Bible tells me that a relationship with You isn’t enough. You said, “It’s not good that man should be alone.” You have made me for relationship with You and others. Even as I recall Jesus speaking of the two greatest commandments, I am told to love You and to love others. I simply must develop relationships with other people. So, help me to trust others but to be careful with who I trust, just as You did. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 