John 2:23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing.
The things Jesus did in the temple took place during the Passover, which means His coming death and resurrection were on top of mind. Surely He could not observe the Passover Sabbath week without thinking that He was the substance of the events. He was the lamb slain. His was the blood to be spilled and would mark the doors of hearts over which the death angel would pass. So the cleansing of the temple was a sign among many signs, apparently, done during the feast.
John testifies in this verse that there was a faith of some sort generated by the signs. At first glance, this seems like a good thing. However, we are going to learn in the following verses that faith that comes from undeniable facts isn’t the same as faith generated by the Holy Spirit. We’ll talk more about that in the days to come.
The point I want to make for our encouragement is what I have been saying in the last few days. We, the church, are a sign that God has placed before the world. As we live to love with Jesus, many will observe our love and believe in His name. But that doesn’t mean they are born again or have new lives. Not everyone who says they believe has eternal life. They may believe it because they cannot deny the facts. Many people have grown up in Christian homes who are like the believers spoken of in this and the following verses. They cannot deny what they have seen, heard, and experienced. They have once been enlightened, have tasted of the heavenly gift, have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted of the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, as it says in Hebrews 6:4-5. Yet, they fall away in unbelief.
Their salvation is not our responsibility. Our responsibility is to be an observable sign that Jesus is God living in bodies of flesh—our bodies. His love in us is the sign of new life and the power of God. Let us live to love with Jesus for His purposes and His glory, leaving all who cross our paths in His hands. We may trust the Holy Spirit to do the miraculous work of imparting new life as He wills.
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
