New Testament 26

John 2:23-25

Today’s reading is very brief.  I give it here in its entirety, in the King James Version:

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.

It’s short, but it’s fascinating.  Plainly, the author of John was awestruck by the knowledge of the human heart that he saw manifest in Jesus.  And, given the depth of Christ’s recorded teachings and their perennially relevant insight, it’s difficult to disagree with him.

The passage suggests a certain reserve on Jesus’ part.  He was becoming popular, but he didn’t rely on popular acclaim.  He knew exactly what it was worth.  And, in just three brief years or so, the crowd — the mob — would turn hostile, screaming “Crucify him!”