We Cannot be Trusted

John 2:23-25
Jesus has called his first disciples, performed his first miracle, and now his ministry is beginning.  From the outset it is stated that he knew what man really is, not needing anyone to testify to him of this, therefore he did not entrust himself to them.  What a statement.  Jesus sees behind the scenes in our lives, looking into what drives and motivates us even when we do not (Proverbs 20:24).  This is a frightening thought.  Jesus, knowing man, decided not to entrust himself to them, knowing they would pervert and twist whatever was given to them.  Look at what they had done with the Lord's temple, which had been entrusted to them (2:14).  In mere moments (comparatively speaking) they had defiled a temple that had taken 46 years to construct (vs. 20).  It was perverse and serving man's interest now, not God's.  How could people of this nature be trusted with real truth and heavenly treasure?  They could not, and Jesus knew this.  This is why he spoke in parables, and why not everyone was privy to the secrets of the kingdom (Luke 8:10).  In fact, in reality no one is deserving of anything from Jesus (Romans 3:9-10).  He reminded the disciples that even though they had received the keys to understanding, it was not because they were deserving of it (John 15:16).  We must take this to heart: no one is deserving of anything but judgement and condemnation.  We are not lovable.  There is nothing in us that is appealing or worthy of grace and mercy.  However, what is more frightening about this scenario, aside from us realizing this, is to realize that Jesus knows this also.  From this vantage point we are eternally doomed.  He has seen what is in the heart of man and it is stated that he could not entrust himself to them.  This should bring us to our knees.  What a gift Jesus is to us; his life, his sacrifice, his workings in our lives, his attention to us, his love, his mercy and grace, etc.  We are not deserving of any of these.  Our tendency is to pervert and twist and taint with self-benefit and self-glory, the "What's in it for us" mentality (Isaiah 53:6).  And this does not stop after conversion.  In Acts 8:17-24, a man, Simon, is radically transformed by the Holy Spirit (vs. 13).  However, even after this change, he perverts the gift of the Holy Spirit, seeking the benefits for himself and the advancement of his agenda and pleasure.  Heed this example!  We are never, at any moment, righteous in ourselves, or able to do good.  Only Christ in us is capable of doing good (John 15:5), the exact confession of Paul (Philippians 3:3-4).  The subject matter in a majority of the New Testament letters to churches deals with this issue: the believer's flesh penetrating the church and the horrific ramifications that occur as a result.  Read the warnings to the churches in Revelation and see the same issue.  This theme (flesh vs. Spirit) is all over scripture, this is the battle.  We are told to do nothing more than offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).  A sacrifice is not opinionated or demanding or trying.  It simply lies on the altar to be given and done with as another decides.  This is our stance and position and only when we assume this position are we cleansed and worked through by Jesus himself, and only then are we bearing fruit, the good deeds.  All other workings and doings are of the flesh and are opposed to godliness (8:7).  No matter the righteous or godly appearance from the outside, the flesh is unable, at any moment, post or pre-conversion, to do good.  Never!  Only Jesus through his Spirit in us.  Only!  He does not come to change us, but to replace us (Ezekiel 36:25-27).  This is why he tells Nicodemus he must be born again, because the first birth is into death and cursing (John 3:3; Galations 3:13).  It is the second birth that gives life, nor the first.  Jesus could not entrust himself to man because of the self-life, our own agendas, ourselves.  He cannot entrust himself to us today for the same reason, saved and unsaved alike.  Perhaps we (Christians) do not experience him because we too have perverted and twisted things into our own agendas and slants and preferences.  We too, like Simon, must repent and ask that the intents of our hearts be forgiven (Acts 8:22).  Then, and only then, can Christ entrust himself to us.