John 2:23-25 "Trusting But Not Entrusting"

Now while Jesus was in Jerusalem during the festival of Passover, many people put their trust in his name, for they saw his miraculous signs that he was performing.  But as for Jesus, he did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all men,  and because he had no need that anyone should give evidence concerning man, for he himself knew what was in man.


This is an interesting little passage because it shows us both the heart and the wisdom of God.  People were beginning to follow Jesus around -they saw the healings and the miracles and were impressed -and began to say good things about Jesus.

When someone says good things about me, my first inner response is often something like, "what a great guy;  this person really understands me -he is on my side."  I don't necessarily think those thoughts, it's more of a feeling.  And, of course, it's human nature.  We tend to like and trust the people who like us.


But Jesus had a different response.  He chose very carefully the men He would trust (and entrust His ministry to).  Others He still treated with respect, dignity, compassion, gentleness, patience and love;  but He did not entrust His deepest, most intimate, most vulnerable self to them.  He simply understood that most people are not especially trustworthy.  Because He understood this and exercised wisdom accordingly. He did not fear man because He understood man.  He did not expect out of man what man could not give.


I do not believe that this is suggesting that we trust no one.  When we isolate and withdraw and live with suspicion and fear, we quickly become dysfunctional.  God created us to live in community.  Relationships with others are important to spiritual and emotional health.  We need to have people around that we choose to trust.  But at the same time, we need to be careful about entrusting too much of our deepest, most vulnerable selves to people who do not even have the capacity to be trustworthy.  


Not everyone who says nice things about us is trustworthy; and not everyone who is critical is an enemy.  All people -even enemies -should be treated with dignity, respect, compassion and love.  But at the same time, we should exercise wisdom concerning to whom we will entrust ourselves.  We can choose to trust and assume the best about others, but we should entrust ourselves to only a few.  If we get this right, we can live emotionally healthy lives free from the fear of man.