John 2:23-25 --- Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in His name [identifying themselves with Him] after seeing His signs (attesting miracles) which He was doing. But Jesus, for His part, did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people [and understood the superficiality and fickleness of human nature], and He did not need anyone to testify concerning man [and human nature], for He Himself knew what was in man [in their hearts—in the very core of their being].
In the closing out of John chapter two we see that everything Jesus did at the Passover brought many people to believe. Our Westernized American minds immediately think, "many believed" equals success or achievement. However, verse twenty-three goes on to say, "after seeing His signs which He was doing.". The past several days this is exactly what the Lord has been walking through in the Word. People seeking what Jesus can do for them, instead of seeking Jesus.
His miracles attract many. His truth repels most. Leaving the few who simply want to know Jesus more.
Even though many believed in His name, Jesus knew it was a surface level belief, more in the miracles than in Him. We humans have a great tendency to be wowed and wooed by the sensational, but it takes more than just believing in the signs and miracles. It takes being wowed and wooed by Jesus Himself. Miracles and signs are great, but they are nothing without Jesus, who He is, His truth. It takes KNOWING Jesus. Walking with Him. Desiring to be where He is. It's when the desire to know the miracle worker exceeds the desire for the miracles alone.
Okay to sum it up. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being attracted to Jesus because of His miracles and signs. However, if the desire stops there and only seeks to know the miracles more, there's a problem. You see even His disciples struggled with understanding and their faith many times, BUT they're desire to KNOW Jesus drove them to keep following, to keep going, to push on with Him. Because they were there for Jesus, they got to know Him, and their faith kept on growing and growing.
Beloved, don't let your belief simply follow the miracles, let the miracles drive you to the Miracle Maker! Let them drive you to follow Jesus and get to know Him more and more!
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