Many Admire, Few Love: Know This
John 2:23-25
NIV
While he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he performed and believed in his name.
[24] But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.
[25] He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
As I looked and saw how people who once lived, worked, shared fun, laughter, etc., part ways, I recognised how fragile trust in human bonds is! It was then that the above scriptures readily came to mind.
Jesus had come to Jerusalem and his admirers were all flocking around him chanting and singing his praise. Some probably may have offered to host him in their homes seeing he had no permanent abode in the city. A gesture any of us in his situation would readily accept, but not Jesus!
One may ask but why? The answer is stated in the verses;
“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.
Two words came to mind: “ admiration “ and “love.” Interestingly, they are not the same! Here is where we make the greatest mistakes in life; we often mistake “ admiration “ to mean “ love”!
To admire is one thing, to love is another.
Jesus had several admirers but only a few lovers. Dear reader the same applies to all , we each have many who admire us but only a few truly love us. Unlike Jesus, we are unable to know so we fall into traps they set for us. Yes!
How can we then know those who admire but don’t love us? Again the verses give us a clue “ He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person”
To know is to study, so take time to study all those who surround you claiming to be your admirers, those whom you have wrongly credited and assumed to be your lovers.
Beloved, people may admire you but not love you. Jesus knew just as the verses reveal;
[24] But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.
Isn’t it the same admirers who sang hallelujah when he entered Jerusalem, the very people who cried “Crucify him "? Jesus knew hence he didn’t entrust himself to them!
Beloved, train yourself not to live/feed your soul on the praises of admirers!
Beloved, the seat of admiration is the eye, the seat of love is the heart Yes we admire many things but don’t love them , we would not spend on them.
Admiration is temporal and fluctuates with time and mood; love does not. Love is deep, strong and permanent!
Admirers can betray you, when the price ( offer) is right; whereas the same can not but be said of those who love you. No admirer will place you above himself, but anyone who loves you will. I’ve seen and experienced both situations on many occasions!
Admirers believe lies told about the person they claim to admire, whereas lovers will doubt, disbelieve and inquire! Yes! Know these so you don’t fall into the trap that was set for Jesus, instead like him you can walk away because you know what is in man ! .
Thoughts to share.