I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen.
I am tempted to lump several of the verses from verse 18-30 into one or two posts and be done with it. This part about the betrayal is disturbing for me to read. Yet, even in these verses, there are jewels among John’s words.
In today’s passage, Jesus has just finished talking about the washing of feet and following his example. He then adds, “… you will be blessed if you do [these things].” Immediately after saying that he clarifies his meaning by adding, “…I am not referring to all of you…”
That must have gotten their attention!
Judas Iscariot, of course, knows what Jesus is alluding to. The others do not. Jesus further clarifies by saying, “…I know those I have chosen.”
One of the GREAT FRUSTRATIONS of this life is not knowing what God knows. God knows everything. Getting our head around this truth is … well, impossible. We are made in God’s image, but not with His capacity for knowledge. So when Jesus says, “I know those I have chosen,” it is important to file this under, “THINGS JESUS KNOWS THAT WE DO NOT KNOW.”
God sees things from a perspective that includes all hearts and minds. He knows us better than we know ourselves.
We see people through the perspective of someone walking in tall grass. Mostly all we see is what is in our own heart and mind. Everyone else is mostly a mystery. But Jesus knows!
Let’s Discuss: How is our perspective on the people we know different than God’s?
God can see the heart and know motives (Hebrews 4:13). I can only guess motives based on outward observance. I often even have a hard time understanding my own motives. It is best for me to assume the best in others and pray for better understanding of my own.
Rich,
Thank you for your words. I have learned a great deal from you in this regard!
Our view of others is incomplete, I would similarly argue that our view of ourselves is also incomplete.
As Rich mentioned, trying to have clarity regarding motives is extremely difficult – often even in ourselves. It is often even harder to identify bad or tarnished motives in others. I spend a good deal of time thinking about my own motivations, in all honesty it can often feel like the war described by Paul between the flesh and the Spirit – sometimes I do good things knowing my motives for them are tarnished, praying and seeking to do what is right for the right reasons.
Well said, Nathan.
Our view of ourselves is very incomplete. Even what we think we know can sometimes be wrong. So trusting God is really our only option even in navigating our own decisions, let alone what others choose to do.
Jeremiah 17:9 says “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (a question that, if we are paying attention to the scriptures, we know that only God knows.) We are told that we will know others “by their fruits”. Our insights to ourselves and others is extremely limited, and much less than that if we are not in the scriptures and aware of the worldliness all around us. Relying on God’s wisdom is essential.
JEC,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Your point about needing scripture to understand the world is spot on.
What incredible insight from everyone. I find especially apt the Jeremiah reference and hence the need to rely on God’s wisdom. Reminds me of something Jeff recently shared with me called Johari’s Window. I am not all for modern psychology per say, but it can offer some limited insights and provide tools to help us navigate so long as we understand its limitations/faults. The lower right quadrant would be unknown to us, but certainly fully known to God. I just find this interesting.