Can Jesus Trust You?
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“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man” (John 2:23-25).
Jesus did not commit Himself unto them. This startling statement concerning Jesus speaks volumes. Wouldn’t you think that Jesus would have a much different response to people who were believing in His name? What is going on here?
When we unpack this verse, we see that these individuals believed in His name because of the miracles He did. When Scripture says that Jesus did not commit himself to them in verse 24, John uses the same word ‘believe’ that is used in verse 23. In essence it says that Jesus did not believe in them; that He basically did not have faith in their faith; that He did not put trust in them.
Scripture explains that this was all because Jesus understood that the faith they exhibited was shallow and based solely upon external circumstances. This was an indication, according to Jesus, that it was not genuine; it lacked the commitment and devotion necessary for it to be so.
There is a certain type of faith that the Lord requires, and shallow faith misses the mark. What makes shallow faith shallow and how can one break free from its clutches to experience the blessings of properly placed faith? Do you have the kind of faith that Jesus can commit himself to, or can He trust you at all?
Sight and Sign Based Faith
“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did” (John 2:23).
The very fact that they believed in Him because of what they saw, means that they obviously could not deny their eyes or refute what they had seen. They were absolutely convinced by what they saw, and were greatly impressed enough to say that they believed. You may be familiar with the story of Simon the sorcerer in Acts chapter 8. His experience fits neatly into this category. We read from Acts:
“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done” (Acts 8:12-13).
It would seem on the surface that Simon’s faith was genuine. However, when he desires to purchase the ability to lay hands on people that they might receive the Holy Ghost, Peter’s stern words to him lead us to conclude that Simon’s “saving faith” was lacking. Peter’s language does not aptly describe the comportment of a true Christian:
“You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin” (Acts 8:21-23).
Several things will apply to those who fall into this category. First, those with this kind of faith may be “addicted” to seeing the spectacular. Being a magician of sorts, it seems that Simon was drawn to Philip’s miraculous ministry. Secondly, those with this type of faith may exhibit great emotion or enthusiasm when witnessing the supernatural. While this might be the response of any of us who encounter the miraculous, those of the sight and sound persuasion base their entire religious life on such episodes. From Matthew 13 we read:
“But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles” (Matthew 13:20-21).
Though they receive with joy or enthusiasm, it was shallow, had no root, and therefore, did not last.
Next, those with sight and sound faith may put great emphasis in signs and “new” revelation. While we serve a God of miracles who can do anything, we should focus on the revelation which we have been given, which is the Word of God. There is so much that the Lord has yet to reveal to in the pages of Scripture.
Finally, some will follow the Lord just to see what He will do next. Some attend church simply to see what others will do without ever becoming a part themselves.
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Self-Based Faith
“Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill” (John 6:26).
Here Jesus accuses this group of following Him not because of the miracles He did, but because they were fed. This faith in Him was based solely on what they received from Him. This faith is also shallow and selfish. It's the “what’s in it for me,” and “bless me” mentality. It is narrow and thinks only of the proverbial, “me, myself and I.”
Those who subscribe to the name it and claim it and blab it and grab it crowd will fall into this group.
Sound Based Faith
“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. … On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’ (John 6:53, 60).
Many in this group were following Him because of the things He said. What He said sounded right to them — to a point. When He got personal, their shallow commitment came to light. The following is their thinking in a nutshell: “I will follow you and be your disciple — as long as what you say pleases me; I decide how deep I want to go — and don’t ask too much of me, because I have my own life to live.”
These people basically have itching ears, i.e., they want to be told only what pleases them, and do not want to be challenged, as Scripture will sometimes do.
These three types of faith represent the types of faith that Jesus simply cannot trust. They are unreliable, unstable and fickle. What type of faith is needed to bring us into alignment with His will and cause Him to mutually commit Himself to us?
Savior Based Faith
Here we have faith in its most powerful form. It is faith that is placed firmly in and upon Christ and what He accomplished for us at the cross. This is the type of faith we are to live by. We read in Galatians 2:20:
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
This is the faith that keeps us grounded in the truth and delivers to us the peace and strength that we need to keep us in difficult times. It is of this faith Paul spoke, when he said:
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Until we learn to walk with the Lord in this way, we will be in danger of placing our faith in other things, which will result in our own spiritual detriment. Savior-based faith will result in the Lord’s favor and unlock the spiritual blessings that only He can give.
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