Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature.  No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like. John 2:23-25 (NLT).

Here is another great instance where we can look to the example of Jesus as we seek to manage our lives in a godly manner.  Sometimes it feels like we are surrounded by people that we cannot trust – friends let us down, family turns against us, even at church we may experience dissension and disputes.  Jesus knew all of this about us – No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like (vs. 25). Yet because of who He was, people trusted in Him.  They flocked to Him.  And He had to deal with them all.

What He did with His life glorified God and attracted all kinds of people – the good and the bad.  Think of how many times the  Pharisees, who later put Him to death, were in the crowds listening to Him or were sitting at a table with Him for a meal.  He ministered to throngs of people who truly believed in Him as well.  Yet many of those who had followed Him, turned against Him, shouting, “Crucifiy Him! Crucify Him!” before Pilate (Luke 23:21; Mark 15:13; John 19:15).  Others whom He loved denied Him (Mark 14:66-72) or went into hiding after His death, afraid to be associated with Him (Acts 1:13).  Jesus predicted as much, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘˜I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’” (John 21:19).  And still, knowing all of this, He loved them dearly.  In John Chapter 17 He prayed for them (and us) as though His heart was breaking.  Up till the end, He encouraged them (and us) and promised to send them a Comforter (John 15:26).  Finally, He willingly sacrificed Himself for them (and us): For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:6-8).

Jesus is our example.  This short passage reveals a great deal about our own High Calling.  We see how we must glorfy God in every circumstance.  Our words and deeds should reflect well on Him, point to Him, mirror Him.  And we should be unmovable. Regardless of what others do, we must stay the same, even when dealing with difficult people: those who intentionally try to manipulate us or put us to shame, and those who love us very much but simply let us down due to their own human weakness.  Jesus had some advice on how to do this: Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt 10:16).  We are not to allow what others have done, to make us more like them, rather more like Him.  Sometimes we are tempted to return evil for evil – to rewrite the Golden Rule so that we do unto others as they have done unto us.  This is the World talking!  This is the way the leads to destruction.  His way is Higher.  Jesus says, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matt 7:12). But He warns us to be “wise as serpents”.  We are to keep our eyes open so we are not overwhelmed when difficulties arise with difficult people.  I have been reading a wonderful book that teaches a biblical approach to these kinds of situations. The Emotionally Destructive Relationship by Leslie Vernick teaches Christians how to be wise as serpents and stay innocent as doves – it is the best book I have ever read on this topic, and the best thing about it?  On every page, it points us back to the Word of God, where the answers to every problem are found.

justAgirl