John 2:12 - 25

 John 2:12 - 25 

The last three verses of this passage exist in the shadow of the temple cleansing and the conversation with Nicodemus. During this first trip to Jerusalem Jesus apparently did a number of signs or miracles. When Jesus performed miracles it was always for the purpose of pointing toward the Father. These acts of wonder and power did not happen for themselves, but had a greater purpose than just the event. We're not told what are how many miracles Jesus did but there were enough to create a stir or a buzz in the city.

It would seem that this would have been a great time for Jesus to have mass teaching or large event in order to gather a following. But we see Jesus doing the opposite. Before long Jesus will leave Jerusalem and Judea and go back to Galilee. Why, at this moment of popularity, did Jesus walk away? There is an interesting contrast in this passage. In verse 23 we see “Many believed in His Name beholding His signs.” Then in verse 24 “But Jesus, on His part was not entrusting Himself to them for He knew all men.”  These people had faith in Jesus but still Jesus did not trust them. The signs excited the people. They were enthusiastic about the show and what they saw. But Jesus puts no confidence in excitement and enthusiasm. These two are wonderful by products of a commitment to the person of Jesus, but they can never be the substance and core of that commitment. The people believed in the signs and were exhilarated by the show but were not ready to take up a cross. They were glad to see the spectacular and receive the benefits.  But to die to self and serve, to give up their agenda was unthinkable. Jesus knew the difference between large crowds of self-interested fanatics and faithful to the point of death disciples.  Jesus rejected the opportunity to have a great following and huge numbers. 

In too many cases the church fails to reject the shallow enthusiasm of the mass crowd. In fact because the “scoreboard” we watch most carefully is the measurement of attendance we often embrace shallow enthusiast. We justify this by saying we will get people to come to grand exciting events and they will mature in their faith later. But this has two problems.  First Jesus’ is pattern was for men to count the cost before they committed themselves to follow. Second in practical terms we rarely see the growth into maturity that we say will eventually happen. Always looking for one more person our churches almost never provide the substance needed for growth. Jesus would have been a terrible Church growth Pastor but He was an excellent disciple maker 11 of the 12 first disciple were faithful till death.

“Lord, protect me from shallow excitement and grant me complete dedication. AMEN”