Does Jesus Trust You?

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. [John 2.23-24]

Jesus knew all about people then and He knows all about people now. People really haven't changed much.

Should it not interest us that the people trusted in Jesus, but that Jesus did not trust them? Jesus was recorded later to say:

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” [Matthew 22.14]

The call to salvation is freely extended to everyone. There is evidently some criteria however to be met following this "free call" for Jesus to choose from among all who are called those who would be "the chosen." This should cause us to intently seek to meet that criteria! But because, again, people haven't changed much, most everyone enjoys the call but few even attempt to "meet the criteria" to be chosen...

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. [John 15.16]

Because of what John 2.23-24 says, is it not possible that gaining Jesus' trust is the deciding factor between being the called and being the chosen?

Think about how to gain Jesus' trust. What does that look like? I think we have a clue in today's OYCB reading in another passage:

Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). [John 1.41-42]

As the story of Peter unfolds in the Gospels, Peter was not perfect, but, in his failure(s) came back to Jesus. For this reason, Jesus called him "Rock" (what "Peter" means). While nicknames are cute, we should understand two things from Peter's nickname: 

1. Simon had a quality that Jesus recognized immediately to earn a nickname, and 
2. Jesus' nickname for Simon, "Peter" or "Rock" (as the Greek word "petros" interprets into English) signifies something solid or foundational - something all of Christendom following would refer back to to understand the difference between being called and being chosen. 

Peter's relationship with Jesus could be called "rocky" in modern vernacular based on Peter's tossed and blown around ways, but Peter's relationship with Jesus was also "solid" because Peter kept coming back even after full-blown denial. We know from the Scriptures that Peter would go on to bear great fruit for the Good News of Jesus.

So, while trusting Jesus is great and all that, being chosen by Him - identified as a fruit-bearer - is what gains Jesus' trust. And, the stark reality of this statement is clarified elsewhere by Jesus:

Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. [Matthew 7.21]

Whatever "theology" people adopt about salvation needs to stay true to Jesus' teachings on the matter. Many are called... few are chosen.

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]

Jesus was in no way vague about what His followers would do:

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

Interestingly enough, Jesus' words above identify believes in me (those who believe in Jesus) and not necessarily those Jesus trusts. This is consistent with the context of Matthew 7.21 where the following verses reveal much:

On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ [Matthew 7.22-23]

So, if we understand this passage correctly, it is entirely possible to do the works of Jesus without being known (and trusted) by Him. But then again, in this context, Jesus went on to say something very "Peter-ish" and further revealing:

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” [Matthew 7.24-27]

Apparently, where we "build our house" spiritually matters! In the storms and floods do we remain firm or are we washed away? The outcome is the difference between knowing Jesus versus being known by Jesus. Peter, the Rock, is our full-human example of how to live in Christ, the God-human example. For Peter, storms certainly came, and, at one point had a bleak outlook, but he came back - his foundation was firm! His commitment was genuine and not just circumstantial.

This is deep, but we should spend some time meditating on these scriptures. We should also understand how Paul's writings compare:

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [Ephesians 2.8-9]

There is much to consider here! Much is at stake - far too much to have just a casual understanding of it!

Father, help us to have a firm grasp of not only knowing Jesus, but being known by Him!