It never ceases to amaze me how I can still find so many new things in the Bible. I’ve read John 2 more times than I can count, but between the drama of a wedding in Cana and clearing a temple, I’ve just glossed over verses 23-25 until now.
Now, when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
After two amazing stories of Jesus’ ministry, we get these few verses highlighting how alone he was. Jesus was at a feast in a major city. On top of that, he had made a name for himself. We would expect a person in these circumstances to never get a moment alone, yet Jesus held back because he knew our sinful nature. No one had to tell God what we’re like. Despite his close relationship with his disciples and others like Lazarus, this passage reminds us that Jesus still knows what it’s like to be alone.
No one has to tell you what it’s like to be alone. Every leader had felt it at some point. Add in the challenges of being a peacemaker in such divided times, and that sense of being alone can get even heavier. However, I suggest that in this passage, Jesus is not presenting himself as an example to us. He’s standing as our substitute. Jesus is not simply sympathizing with us. He’s bearing the weight of isolation in order to remove it from us.
Jesus did not fully entrust himself to them because of man’s sinfulness, which is the very sin he defanged on the cross. By dethroning the power of sin, Jesus ensured that we would never be alone. First and foremost, Jesus himself promises to always be with us (Matthew 28:20), but he has also established a community among us. The Bible describes it in a few ways: a devoted fellowship (Acts 2:42-47), a unified body (1 Corinthians 12:27), a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9), a shared citizenship and household (Ephesians 2:19). You can probably find even more.
The message is clear: in Christ we are not alone. Tucked away at the end of John 2 is yet another beautiful glimpse at what Jesus has done for us.
One of our enemy’s favorite lies is that we are alone. But the gospel exposes that lie for what it is. In Christ, we are not alone. We are forever accompanied by him through his Spirit, and we are bound together in community by his love. If you ever find yourself believing the lie, reach out. You have people here!
Tom is the Pastoral Advisor at the One America Movement. He is a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America and previously served as the Associate Pastor at Grace Community Church in Charlottesville, VA, where he led the church’s efforts in adult discipleship and community engagement. Tom is passionate about the work of reconciliation and the building of relationships across divides. But when he’s not pursuing such lofty goals, he likes watching superhero movies, training martial arts, and hanging out with his dog. Tom holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Virginia, an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary – Washington, D.C., and is currently pursuing a Th.M. in Historical and Theological Studies at Westminster Theological Seminary.
