THE KING'S BUSINESS
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He was “The Son of God” (John 15:24) and that He was “in the Father” and the Father in Him (John 14:10, 11) nevertheless throughout the Gospel the faith which is built upon mere, outward miracles seen, is spoken of as a lower form of faith and not altogether satisfactory faith (ch. 20: 29; 4:39-42). True faith is founded rather on God’s Word than on the wonders God performs. It is satisfied with the truth itself rather than with the outward credentials of the one who speaks the truth. The faith which craves for wonders to behold is not to be relied upon, and is not acceptable to the Lord (vs. 24, 25). We see much of this sort of faith that is built on wonders in the people who are running after “Divine healers” and wonder workers of all kinds in our day. 1 Tholuck has well said regarding the faith that results from beholding miracles: “Our Lord had often four classes or grades of hearers. 1. Those for whom miracles had no other than a selfish and sensuous object (John 6:26). 2. Those a step higher, who demanded miracle, indeed from personal interest, but who were led by it to a loftier aim (John 4:53). 3. A yet higher grade were those who felt the need of faith, but who required the mediation of such proofs of Divinity as addressed the senses (John 3:2). 4. Highest of all those who by the Word and appearing of Christ, were enabled to believe (John 10:36; 14:1).” While it is evident from what is here written that our Lord performed many miracles at this time (cf. ch. 3 :2; 4:45) neither John nor the other evangelists have given us any record of these miracles. The Synoptic Gospels do not even mention this visit of our Lord to Jerusalem. In fact, they do not mention any public visit of our Lord to Jerusalem but the last, The
fact that these numerous miracles are referred to but not recorded shows us how very small a part of all the Lord did is recorded in the four Gospels (cf. ch. 20:30, 31; 21:25; Mark. 3:10; 6:56). The believers here mentioned were largely of the character described by our Lord Himself in Matthew 13: 20, 21—their faith manifested itself quickly for the very reason that it was so shallow. It is not always the one who believes most quickly, and who is most profuse in his professions and most effusive in his joy at first, who proves most satisfactory in the final outcome. Vs. 24, 25. “But Jesus did not commit (rather, trust) himself unto them, because he knew man, and (because he) needed not (rather, had no need) that any {one) should testify of (rather, bear witness concerning) man: for he {himself) knew (rather, was knowing) S what was in man.” The word which is translated “commit” (or “trust”) in this passage is in the Greek the same word which is translated “believed” in the preceding verse (cf. Luke 16:11, where the same word is translated “commit to your trust”). Many believed on Jesus but their belief was of such a character that He did not believe on them. The use of the word here gives us an idea of wh'at true faith is, it is that confidence in another that leads us to commit ourselves unreservedly to Him, to trust Him, or entrust ourselves unto Him (cf. 2 Tim. 1:12). There is also a contrast of tenses between verses 23 and 24; a tense is used in verse 23 that indicates a definite completed act, while the tense used in verse 24 indicates a habitual course of action. Our Lord’s refusal here to accept and build upon the faith which was offered Him has a counterpart in John 6, where He refuses the homage as King, which the people offered Him without an understanding of the
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