JMD Devotional 128 John 2:23-25 Taxonomy of Man

Taxonomy is the science of classification and identification. My wife and I utilize this as we pursue our hobby of wild flower and other plant identification along the trails of coastal Florida. It is fun detective work to compare leaf shapes, their placement (are the leaves in opposite pairs or do they alternate down the stem), and other characteristics with data in field guides. The plant is identified by these elements; but most of all by its flowers and its fruit or seeds. An unknown plant is hardest to identify when it is not in bloom, most of the other features are so common misidentification is likely. When the elements of what we observe do not exactly match anything in our books, we might argue taxonomy, but in the end the identity is revealed by making subsequent visits until the plant does blossom.

John 2:23-25 (AMP) But when He was in Jerusalem during the Passover Feast, many believed in His name [identified themselves with His party] after seeing His signs (wonders, miracles) which He was doing. But Jesus [for His part] did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all [men]; And He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man [needed no evidence from anyone about men], for He Himself knew what was in human nature. [He could read men's hearts.]

If we missed it; here it is again in another translation:

John 2:24, 25 (NIV) But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

This is a sad verse to me, it bruises the ego. Jesus clearly saw the fruit of hypocrisy, that even many who outwardly responded to His message had wrong motives, selfish agendas, and worldly allegiance. The church has always had a fifth rank; unregenerate members who subtly oppose the work of God, who wear out pastors and block kingdom progress in obstinate politics, 'false sheep'. God has a warehouse of millstones for such individuals who are downright poison ivy in His garden; but there is also an element of duplicity in true followers concerning their old and new natures of which we must be ever vigilant.

James 3:10-12 Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so. Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water.

Dear God,
Forgive me for not living up to the potential you planted in me; for not contributing whole-heartedly to your garden and for producing little fruit. I confess I sometimes behave like a weed; more concerned about the condition of my (inedible) leaves and stalks than fruit; more focused on getting my nutrients than the needs of the garden and the ultimate harvest. True spiritual life comes only through death of the carnal; and maturity through grieving my own fleshly appetites in favor of your will. Help me to be committed, consistent and productive for your pleasure, praise and worship. May I sacrifice my comfort, standing and security for building up your kingdom.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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