John 2:23-24

IMPERFECT FAITH

‘When He was in Jerusalem … many believed in His name.… But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them.’

John 2:23

Early believers at Jerusalem. As to whom, notice—

I. The object of their faith.—They ‘believed on His name’ (John 1:12); i.e. recognised Jesus as the Messiah they expected; believing not on Him (John 3:18), but on His name, as Christ (cf. Matthew 7:22). Contrast the difference in appealing to heathen. But note that the wise missionary takes advantage of any help which heathen or other beliefs afford in pointing to a god or to our God.

II. The ground of their faith.—‘They saw the miracles’—beheld with wonder the ‘signs’ Christ gave, signs still then going on, ἅ? ἐ?ποίει. In its way a legitimate reason for belief if rightly considered. The influence of Christ’s religion still a powerful plea. As seen in lives of converts. Though sometimes the white man’s life is a stumbling-block.

III. The nature of their faith.—Unreliable (John 2:24), because the outcome rather of wonder than of reflection; sincere, as far as it went, but shallow. Many non-Christians of intelligence thus look in admiration at fruits of belief in Christ. But will not face the reproach of the Cross. We cannot leave them thus.

IV. The lessons of their faith.

(a) It is easy to believe when face to face with obvious manifestations of God’s power.

(b) It is easy to be satisfied with purely emotional faith.

(c) It is dangerous to be content with incomplete faith.

(d) It is idle to think that God is deceived as to our faith.

Seek, then, to have a full and clear faith, that we ourselves may be fitted to act as God’s messengers, and may be filled with a sincere yearning for the increase of Christ’s Church on earth.