John 2:24-25 But 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.

Jesus was in an interesting place. He loved people totally, but knew them too well to trust them. After all, He had to tell Peter, one of His closest disciples, that he would say he didn’t even know Him! This is why He wasn’t swayed by crowd size, but focused on the few who had been entrusted to Him. On one level this might be described as paranoia, and indeed He was accused of that when He talked about how the Jewish leaders were out to kill Him. However, He was the most self-aware person who has ever walked the earth. Being fully human, He was totally aware of all human weaknesses, but being fully divine, He didn’t yield to them. That had to be lonely! I think He did enjoy His time with His disciples, but the level of fellowship certainly wasn’t what He was used to with the Father and the Spirit. Had He not had the Spirit, as His direct line to the Father, He might have flipped out! It’s hardly surprising that He would sometimes get up very early to have time alone with the Father and the Spirit. We don’t have the same depth of fellowship with them that He did, but it is still available to us, and it can certainly be a lifesaver when we encounter all sorts of trials – particularly related to our fellow human beings. It can be a painful lesson at times, but God is the only one who is totally reliable. We entrust ourselves to others on a regular basis, whether it’s doctors or bus drivers or whomever, but we need to take a page from Jesus’ book and not let their failures tear us down. After all, we have failed others many times! When Jesus has extended His grace to us, we need to extend it to others as well.

This is something in which I keep getting painful lessons. Just yesterday there was an incident, and every time I think of it I have to choose forgiveness. The thing is, there was a third party involved, and the actions of one person but a barrier between that third party and me, and that’s not something I can control. That said, the offending party is still a child of God, and valuable in the Body of Christ. I talk about forgiveness a great deal, and now I’m being given an intense practicum in it! I must not back away, but operate in Christ’s love and grace, since He has extended it to me. There are many, many good things going on all around me, and I am not to let the negative things that will continue to go on distract me from and rob me of the good. As Jesus said, in this world I will have trouble, but I am to fix my heart on Him and rejoice! (John 16:33)

Father, thank You for this lesson, in all its facets. I ask for wisdom and strength as I get things set up in the sanctuary today, with its beautiful new floor! Help me know what I am to do today and what I should wait for people to show up tomorrow to help do. Delegation has never been my strong suit! Help me rest, relax, and rejoice in You throughout today, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!