What is in a man

"Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. 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."
John 2:23-25

I'm struck by the fact that Jesus' life and ministry, healing and teaching, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension on my behalf (and on behalf of all of His sheep) was done in absolute knowledge of our sin and brokenness.

For John to record so early in his gospel that "he knew what was in a man" (v.25) is foundational-- yet how much do I belittle the saving work of Christ by acting as if what is in ME is not such a big deal? Or conversely, how often do I puff up in false humility with claims that, in spite of Christ's work, I am somehow still unacceptable to the Father because of the weight of my sin?

Christ did not underestimate the magnitude or cost of my sin; He knowingly, lovingly accepted the full punishment for it. And it took the full measure of his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and ongoing intercession on my behalf to account for it. But as we see throughout the gospel of John, the cost was not too high for Christ, nor did He pay it begrudgingly or reluctantly.

Stuart Townend's wonderful lyric comes to mind: "how deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure."

How refreshing and soothing is the deep, deep love of Jesus.