John 2 - Peter, What is in a man

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. (John 2:23-25 NIV)

What is this passage talking about? What does it mean that Jesus would not entrust himself to men?

Jesus knows what is going to happen, right?

Tear down this temple and I'll rebuild it. I'm here on earth to die. Some of the same people who are excited about me right now are going to be in the crowd chanting for Barabbas to be freed and begging that I be crucified in his place. They will wave palm branches and lay their clothes on the ground when I march into Jerusalem, but they will not stand between me and the soldier's whip one week later when things go south. Man is at his very core unfaithful, that is exactly why I must come and I must die; to redeem man from his unfaithfulness.

Take Peter, for example, the greatest disciple and simultaneously the greatest failure. He trusts Jesus enough to get out of the boat and walk on water. . .but the takes his eyes off of Jesus and sinks. Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31 ESV)

Why doubt when you are actually walking on water? There is plenty of reason to doubt while afraid in the boat. Peter climbs out of the boat, onto the sea, and steps toward Jesus.  But at the moment of greatest faith, doubt strikes. Jesus reaches down and pulls him up, not surprised, for he knows what was in a man.

At the last supper, Jesus tells Peter what is about to happen: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:31-34 ESV). Peter claims he is ready to follow Christ even to prison or death. But when the moment comes, less than a day later, he lies, denies, and cries. He had his chance. . .he could have marched up the hill with Jesus, he could have been beaten or imprisoned, right then and there.  But Peter chose to save himself rather than to be faithful.  

We do the same and Jesus knows this - he knows what is in the heart of a man. And it is to redeem this faithless, sinful heart that he came. He promised that the temple of his body would be destroyed. He promised that evil men would abuse him and that loving men would betray him. But he also promised that on the third day, everything would be different. Just as he promised forgiveness and redemption for Peter BEFORE he even sinned, so he died to offer us forgiveness even before we were even born.

Have you ever done anything like Peter to show lack of faith or deny Christ?

Jesus prayed for Peter. . .what do you suppose that Jesus is prays for you?

What happens to Peter? He lies, denies, cries, and then he is restored.  As Jesus promised, he built the church and strengthened his brothers. . .which includes us!

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:16-21 ESV)

Our humanity may fail, but the word of God is strong, and Jesus himself prays for our faith. In a world of darkness, the Word is light. The man who himself failed and was restored by Jesus himself shares this hope with us. God knows what is in a man, and still loves us dearly, and we love because he first loved us!

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6-9 ESV)

You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve," said Aslan. "And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth. Be content.

C.S. Lewis - Prince Caspian, as Aslan talks to Caspian on whether he is qualified to be a king.