Journaling Through John in July: John Chapter 2

Does Jesus Believe In You?

Read: John chapter 2 and Psalm 139.

This chapter begins with the first miracle of Jesus. He turned water into wine at a wedding. It was a miracle of both elements and time. A creation miracle! Wine doesn’t come from water and lots of time is needed. The intent of this miracle was partly to prove that the Son of God has power over His Father’s creation. And here is the thing: it was a quiet, low-key miracle. Only the disciples and the back room servants knew what happened.

Afterwards, Jesus, his brothers, his disciples, and his mother all traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover holiday. There, Jesus makes a scene in the Temple by driving out the vendors selling sacrifices in the outer court. He used a whip and sent them all packing! Can you imagine? When questioned by the authorities, who had probably Okayed this business, they asked for a sign revealing his authority to do this. His answer showed again His authority not just over the Temple but over creation: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). John confesses that it wasn’t until later, after Jesus was crucified and came back to life, that they realized the Temple Jesus spoke of was His own body raised to life. Again, it was a miracle that defied the laws of nature and showed power over creation.

The last three verses of chapter 2 reveal something that can be easily overlooked in the presence of these grand miracles. John tells us that “during the feast many believed in [Jesus’s] name” because of the signs He performed. I wish I knew what they were, but John doesn’t tell us. He only gives us the behind the scenes glimpse – water turned to wine and the understanding of the true Temple destroyed and built in three days - things the crowds knew nothing about.

Verse 23 tells us that many believed in Jesus because of the miracles performed for the crowds. But verse 24-25 reveals, “But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men . . . for He Himself knew what was in a man.” The word “entrusting” is the same word translated as “believed” in the first part of the sentence. It is a play on words. The crowds believed in Jesus, but Jesus didn’t believe in them . . . because He knew their hearts. Believing Jesus requires more than head knowledge, more than the temporary thrill of the excited moment. It requires your heart. Like the seed planted in rocky soil that springs up and then wilts in the sun, Jesus knew their belief would not last. Psalm 139 tells of God’s omnipresence and omniscience. God knows our actions, our thoughts, our plans, our words . . . even before they are spoken. “Behold, O LORD, You know it all,” the Psalmist confesses.

Jesus may have done miraculous things for the crowds, but it was to those closest to Him, the ones that gave Him their hearts, that he made the deeper revelations. The same is true for us today. The big events may be thrilling and we may believe that Jesus does great things, but it is in the quiet moments behind the scenes when we give Him our hearts that He gives Himself back to us.

Questions/Responses:

How do the miracles in chapter 2 tie into creation? What do they reveal about Jesus?

In our culture today, we often see Jesus as passive because He loves us. This is not the Jesus of the Temple scene revealed in chapter 2. Why did Jesus react this way to those selling items in the outer court? What does this tell you about Jesus? If you belong to Him, how do you think he will react to impure things in your own life?

Psalm 139 is popular to read in parts. We seldom read it as a whole. Taking in the context of the entire Psalm, what new things do you learn about God in Psalm 139?

Jesus revealed much more to those closest to Him because He knew their hearts desired Him. He believed in them. Take some time to consider your walk with Jesus? Are there things hindering your daily walk with Him? If so, what steps do you need to take to make more time for His Word or clean up areas of your life that keep you from Him?

Confession brings cleansing. Now that you've considering these things, take some time to confess what may be hindering you from a closer relationship with Christ. Pray about the things you’ve learned today.