Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from July 18-24 are provided by Pastor Joshua Kim of Church of Southland. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University and Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.), serves as the pastor of Access group (singles). He was recently married to Christina.
Devotional Thought for Today
John 2:23-25
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. 24 But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, 25 and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.
I used to lay in bed as a kid with my legs propped up on the wall. This was my thinking position. And I would spend hours just thinking about some of the weirdest things. When I would think about God, I would often pray, “God, if only You would show Yourself to me, then I wouldn’t struggle as much believing that You are real.” I think we’ve all prayed that prayer before. I have met countless number of people who have gone to amazing conferences and incredible mission trips, bringing back stories of how they had witnessed God’s unbelievable power at work. I, too, have had those experiences.
But the truth is that despite these powerful experiences, we know people or perhaps we are these people that come back from these experiences, only to fall back into our struggles and denial of the realness of God. Perhaps when we face opposition or life takes an unexpected turn, the brilliance of that moment begins to dim.
Today’s passage is a bit strange at first glance. Jesus can almost seem cold or distant from the people, but when we meditate on it, it reveals something deeper about faith. Commentators note that not all of Jesus’ powerful works have been recorded up to this point, but it can be understood that Jesus had performed many more miracles and demonstration of His power throughout the region. And through witnessing these mighty acts, many have come to believe in Him. In fact, in the previous chapter, Nathanael came to follow Jesus because he had witnessed Jesus’ supernatural power. And yet John writes that Jesus did not entrust Himself to them.
Two things to gleam from this passage: (1) Faith is much more than seeing and believing or just being convinced. Faith requires more than cognitive agreement. (2) True faith means not only trusting in Jesus but a deeper connection with Jesus where He entrusts Himself to you. I wonder if this is what He means when Jesus says to His disciples, “No longer do I call you slaves, but I call you friends” (John 15:14-15). And Jesus is inviting us to this kind of faith. One that goes beyond head knowledge, but an all-encompassing kind of faith. Simply put, a faith that is found in a relationship. How will you respond to His invitation today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the ways You continue to demonstrate Your incredible power among us today. But thank You also for inviting me to something so much more substantial than that. Thank You for inviting me to something where I am not just a spectator but a participant. May I walk in that reality every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 119:65-128