1st Monday of Lent (February 23). More than believing

Prepare to Listen.  In him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
 
Prayerfully Read John 2:23-25
23 When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing.  24But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25and needed no one to testify about anyone, for he himself knew what was in everyone.
 
Prayerfully Wonder
It was Passover and Jesus was in Jerusalem.  He’d already created a stir with his first act in Jerusalem of cleansing the temple Jerusalem.  It infuriated the Jews (the Rulers and temple guardians; 2:13-22), but that didn’t stop Jesus from performing more signs (plural), none of which John tells.  Many, who saw them, “believed in his name.”
 
We know that all who believed in his name are given power to become God’s children (Jn 1:12).  Therefore, you’d think Jesus would be ecstatic with such early success.  But it seems he would have none of it.  He rejected their belief; didn’t trust (the same Greek word translated believed) himself to them.
 
His reaction is surprising.  Nathanael, a skeptic, was welcomed by Jesus, who saw in Nathanael honest disbelief, yet accepted him.  Jesus knew what was in the hearts of the many who believed in him, but gave no welcome invitation.  No reason is given.  It’s up to us to wonder.  We’ll learn about ourselves, see what Jesus sees and knows.
 
Jesus never made it easy to follow him.  He wanted more than believing in his name.  What the more is will be different for each of us and requires honest wondering about Jesus’ rejection of people who believed in his name. 
 
Wonder about: What constitutes an acceptable response to Jesus?  Or, and perhaps more important: What does Jesus know that’s in me, my true self?  In seeking answers to these questions, you’ll learn what you need to know today, what the more to believing is for you.
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord Jesus, you know what is in all people.  You know me fully.  Lead me to the truth about myself so that I can discern the more than saying ‘I believe in you,’ the more that affects all I say, do and truly am.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Live the more than believing today.