It is a blessing to once again reflect on the Word of God. I warmly welcome you to join me in meditating on this important question: Has Jesus truly entrusted Himself to you?
Belief in Jesus: More Than Emotion
Many people claim to believe in Jesus, often because they’ve seen or heard about His power—how He heals the sick, raises the dead, blesses people, or perhaps even personally blessed them. But believing in Jesus just because of His miracles is not the kind of faith that transforms. True biblical faith is more than admiration; it requires surrender.
Jesus Himself warned against superficial belief. In John 2:23-25, Scripture says:
“Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs He was performing and believed in His name.
But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people.
He did not need any testimony about mankind, for He knew what was in each person.”
This passage reveals something profound: even though people believed in Jesus, He did not believe in them. He knew their hearts. Their faith was based on miracles, not a desire for repentance or transformation. This teaches us that Jesus does not entrust Himself to everyone who simply says, “I believe.” He looks for something deeper.
What Does It Mean That Jesus “Did Not Entrust Himself”?
The Greek word for “entrust” here is the same as the word for “believe” (πιστεύω, pisteuō). In other words, while they believed in Him outwardly, He did not place His trust in them because their hearts were not right. This aligns with the biblical teaching that God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), not just words or actions.
Jesus was not interested in a crowd drawn by spectacle. He came to call sinners to repentance and to transform hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit. People wanted His power, but not His lordship. They wanted healing, but not holiness.
The Example of the Temple
Earlier in the same chapter (John 2:13–17), Jesus enters the temple and finds people using the house of God for business. He drives them out and overturns their tables. Why? Because the temple, meant to be a house of prayer, had become a “den of thieves” (cf. Matthew 21:13). Their religious activity had no reverence, no holiness—it was all external.
This symbolizes how people can appear religious yet be far from God in their hearts. Jesus desires worship that is genuine, flowing from a heart that fears and honors Him.
True Faith Produces True Change
When someone truly encounters Jesus and surrenders to Him, change is immediate and evident. Consider Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1–10. Upon meeting Jesus, he repents and promises to give half of his wealth to the poor and repay those he cheated fourfold. Jesus then says:
“Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9).
This kind of response is what Jesus is looking for—not just amazement at His miracles, but a heart that is humble and ready to be changed.
Jesus Still Knows Every Heart
The truth in John 2:25 remains today: “He did not need anyone to testify about mankind, for He knew what was in each person.” We may be able to fool people with religious behavior, but we cannot deceive Christ. He sees everything. As Hebrews 4:13 reminds us:
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Jesus is full of love and compassion, but He does not compromise truth. He wants people who are humble and contrite—those who tremble at His Word.
Isaiah 66:2
“…These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”
A Heart That Jesus Can Entrust
So we must ask ourselves—not just, Do I believe in Jesus?—but also, Has Jesus entrusted Himself to me? Has He seen in me a heart that desires repentance, transformation, and holiness? Have I allowed Him to truly be Lord, not just a miracle-worker?
The evidence that Jesus has entrusted Himself to you is a life that is being transformed. A heart that desires holiness. A soul that is grieved by sin. A spirit that delights in God’s Word. A desire not only to be forgiven but to be made new.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
—2 Corinthians 5:17
Let’s open our hearts to Jesus—not just for blessings, but for His presence. Not just for help, but for holiness. When we do that, He will entrust Himself to us, and we will know true life in Him.
May the Lord bless you and give you a heart that He can fully trust.
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