God’s Heart for Human Hearts
By Aisha Darwesh
The Word: John 2:23-25 (TPT)
23 While Jesus was at the Passover Feast , the number of his followers began to grow, and many gave their allegiance to him because of all the miraculous signs they had seen him doing! 24 But Jesus did not yet entrust himself to them, because he knew how fickle human hearts can be. 25 He didn’t need anyone to tell him about human nature, for he fully understood what man was capable of doing.
Today’s verses show us a glimpse of God’s heart and how He relates to people. We see that the number of Jesus’ followers began to grow because of all the miraculous signs they had seen Him doing. However, Jesus didn’t entrust Himself to them because He was well aware of human nature.
It amazes me to think that God, embodied in the Person of Jesus, knowing full well what people are like, would decide to come down and do life with us anyway. Although Jesus knew about fickle human hearts, He didn’t cut people off. He did draw boundaries, but He didn’t stop people from following Him just because their motives weren’t entirely pure. When you think about it, that’s super encouraging!
It shows us that God meets us where we’re at. Even though He understands perfectly the human condition and the frailty of our faith, He still gives us chance after chance and won’t leave us in our sin.
Even the setting of these scriptures points to His goodness and grace. The setting of today’s verses is at the Passover Feast–a beautiful symbol of how Jesus, the perfect and spotless Lamb of God, would give His life for the atonement of our sin. Although He did a lot of miraculous signs, it’s not the miraculous signs that should be the basis of our faith. It’s His finished work on the cross. That alone is what gives us access to God and the opportunity to have Him entrust Himself to us and the opportunity to entrust ourselves to Him.
Application
It’s clear from scripture God is a miracle-worker. There’s no denying that. On Sunday, Pastor Chris illustrated beautifully the wonder-working power of Jesus turning water into wine. It’s such a sweet reminder that we can celebrate life and that life with Jesus will never run dry.
Today let’s examine the motives of our hearts. Are you pursuing God for His Hand or His Heart? Do you love Him for Him or for what He can do for you?
Take a moment right now to acknowledge what He has done for you. He sacrificed His life on the cross and experienced separation from His Heavenly Father, so we could be united with the Father forever in eternity. Rest in that truth. Find healing and restoration in it.
The most important miracle in your life is your relationship with God.
Now that you’ve acknowledged the greatest miracle of all–God’s reconciliation of us back to Him, you’ve got the perfect perspective of who God is. If He didn’t withhold His only begotten Son, will He not freely give you all other things?
Is it possible that God will not entrust Himself to you because you don’t trust Him? Do you believe God is who He says He is and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him? If so, let’s act like it. We serve a mighty God to whom nothing is impossible. Remember that as you face each challenge that presents itself to you today. Instead of being a point of frustration, it’ll be a sweet and pleasant reminder that God trusts you with that challenge and is empowering you to face that challenge with boldness and perseverance because you know full well that He won’t let you run dry.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for equipping and empowering me to be a light in a dark place. In the same way You turned water into wine at the wedding of Cana, I pray You’ll transform the frustrations of my life into a celebration of Your goodness and grace. You are worthy to be praised. May Your Name be glorified in my life. I trust You. In Jesus Name, Amen.