Jesus Doesn't Care What You Think
Read John 2:1-25.
Today, leaders are increasingly and fatally tied to public opinion. Over and over again, agencies and organizations take polls to see how they are doing. Companies do "pre-marketing testing" to see how a particular product will be perceived even before it is released. Politicians worry about re-election, and the news media broadcast seemingly daily updates to the "approval rating" of particular leaders. The only thing you can really gather from all that information is this: the public (you and me) is fickle. One day we like someone, the next day we don't.
In John 2, Jesus has quickly become a public figure, and everywhere he now goes, people are paying attention to what he says and does. He turns water into wine (though most folks didn't know what he had done there). He overturns the tables of those who are selling things in the Temple courts. And people (or at least religious leaders) want to know: how can you do this, Jesus? Who do you think you are? What kind of authority do you have? In other words: tell us, Jesus, what you're up to, because your poll numbers are in danger of slipping!
And do you know what? Jesus doesn't care. He doesn't worry about the polls, and he doesn't care what we think about him. Jesus (because, you know, he is the Son of God), is incredible secure in who he is. He doesn't have to give into public opinion or change his style because of the latest poll. John even tells us this: "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" (2:24-25). He didn't need anyone's endorsement, and perhaps even more frightening than that is the last statement: "He knew what was in each person." He knew the falsehoods and the flattery that often passes for our endorsements anyway. He didn't need that! He was who he was.
And he is who he is. He still doesn't need our endorsement. What he wants more than that is for us to follow, not to flatter. He knows how broken and weak we are; that's why he came. The truth is this: he is Lord of the universe whether we endorse him or not. He is the savior of the world whether we follow him or not. He is who he is, and he invites us to faithfully follow (not foolishly flatter) him.
Today, leaders are increasingly and fatally tied to public opinion. Over and over again, agencies and organizations take polls to see how they are doing. Companies do "pre-marketing testing" to see how a particular product will be perceived even before it is released. Politicians worry about re-election, and the news media broadcast seemingly daily updates to the "approval rating" of particular leaders. The only thing you can really gather from all that information is this: the public (you and me) is fickle. One day we like someone, the next day we don't.
In John 2, Jesus has quickly become a public figure, and everywhere he now goes, people are paying attention to what he says and does. He turns water into wine (though most folks didn't know what he had done there). He overturns the tables of those who are selling things in the Temple courts. And people (or at least religious leaders) want to know: how can you do this, Jesus? Who do you think you are? What kind of authority do you have? In other words: tell us, Jesus, what you're up to, because your poll numbers are in danger of slipping!
And do you know what? Jesus doesn't care. He doesn't worry about the polls, and he doesn't care what we think about him. Jesus (because, you know, he is the Son of God), is incredible secure in who he is. He doesn't have to give into public opinion or change his style because of the latest poll. John even tells us this: "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" (2:24-25). He didn't need anyone's endorsement, and perhaps even more frightening than that is the last statement: "He knew what was in each person." He knew the falsehoods and the flattery that often passes for our endorsements anyway. He didn't need that! He was who he was.
And he is who he is. He still doesn't need our endorsement. What he wants more than that is for us to follow, not to flatter. He knows how broken and weak we are; that's why he came. The truth is this: he is Lord of the universe whether we endorse him or not. He is the savior of the world whether we follow him or not. He is who he is, and he invites us to faithfully follow (not foolishly flatter) him.
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