I really love my dog! (John 2:23-25)

John 2:23-25 ²³ When Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. ²⁴ But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people ²⁵ and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.

I recently watched a fun documentary about New Yorkers and their dogs called My Dog: An Unconditional Love Story.  Here is a clip from some of the interviews...

In one of the interviews not in the clip, a famous fashion designer talked about how much he loved his dog, because his dog was never phony.  He said that once you are famous, you never know if people are befriending you for your money, your prestige, or because they actually like you.  You never know if they are going to be faithful friends or are just using you.  On the other hand, his dog had no idea that he was famous and, yet, loved him anyway.   He really liked his dog!

In the scripture above, Jesus had gained rock star like fame.  But he wasn't confused about why people liked him.  Unlike the fashion designer's dog, people can be phony and they can have wrong motives.  He knew their hearts.  In fact, he knows our hearts better than we do. 

What draws us to Jesus?  What is in our hearts? 

The interesting thing is that no matter what state Jesus finds us in... selfishness, wrong living, bad choices, even addictions, Jesus is in the business of transforming hearts.  It would seem that though he loves us, he doesn't really expect to find pure motives in us.  He doesn't expect us to be able to love him back.  However, he is willing to transform us.  I think he finds us in a state where we can't really love him, others, or ourselves - not unconditionally like his kingdom requires.  And he wants to change that.  Let him!  Expect him to give you love for him, for others, and for yourself where there once was none.