“For what is grace but the beams of Christ, the Sun of Righteousness.”
–Richard Sibbes
When you think of the early chapters of the Gospel of John, it is natural to be drawn to the temple cleansing (John 2:12-22) and the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). But between these two passages are three verses that form a wonderful and necessary link. These are transition verses that lay the foundation for the multiple encounters that are to come (e.g., Nicodemus (3:1–15), the Samaritan woman (4:1–26), the Gentile official (4:43–53), the man at the pool of Bethesda (5:1–15), and more). Here is the passage:
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
(John 2:23-25 ESV)
In this passage, Jesus is presented as possessing multiple forms of knowledge. First, he knows “all people.” The word “all” in this passage is crucial. It is an “all” without distinction and an “all” without exception. What does that mean? It means that Jesus knows all types of people: religious and irreligious, healthy and sick, and Jew and Gentile. And, in the Gospel of John, all these different types are headed for an encounter with the Messiah. It also simply asserts that he knows all people without exception. He knows everyone. There is no one who has been born, currently is, or will be born, that he does not know. His knowledge is complete.
This passage also describes the depth of Jesus’ knowledge. He knows what is “in man.” He knows that we are sinners. He has searched the human heart and is thoroughly acquainted with its wickedness (see Jeremiah 17:9-10, Romans 8:27, Hebrews 4:13). And what is his response? He gave himself as a ransom for sin. He redeemed for himself a people, a flock, made up of Jew and Gentile.
The apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:7-8, verses Jim cited two weeks ago in his sermon, “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The apostle Paul does not say, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for sinners,” no, he says, “Christ died for us.” He places himself both in the company of sinners and lays claim to the redemption accomplished through Christ. Have you done the same today? Have you acknowledged your own sinfulness and at the same time, looked to God for his provision in Christ? Have a blessed day and we will see most of you on Sunday.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
