John 2:23

During the time Jesus spends celebrating Passover in Jerusalem he performs many miracles.  Many people witness these signs and, as a result, faith in his name is born in their hearts.  John 2:23 EFP

Things must have finally calmed down after the temple cleansing.  Apparently the authorities choose not pursue the matter any further.  This frees Jesus to broaden the impact of his ministry among the Passover crowd that represented people from all over Palestine and beyond.  This would become the pattern of his ministry. 

I do make a mental note that Jesus’ early ministry is distinguished by the presence of many miracles.  We read about the miracle at the wedding at Cana, followed by the cleansing of the temple.  Yes, the temple cleansing was a miracle on a couple of levels.  First, one man, using only a whip made of intertwined rope scraps, empties the temple court of dozens, if not hundreds, of people and their merchandise without any notable resistance.  How does one man do that?  These are merchants and worshippers, both driven to do what they came to do!  Secondly, no charges are pressed for loss of income and such.  But I digress.  Today's text says that Jesus spends a good amount of time doing miracles during Passover.  Very few words are recorded in these early days of his ministry.

It seems to me that Jesus is simply taking advantage of the moment.  The city is ripe with people searching for a blessing, and He is still in the early stages of his messianic ministry.  He seizes the opportunity to maximize the impact by creating a "buzz" that will not only endure after the Passover season is over, but will spread far and wide across Palestine.  And why not?  Shouldn't I take advantage of every opportunity to "shine" for the faith I claim as my own?  Believing in a loving God means little if only I experience it.  Faith, as love, is meant to be shared, not hidden or hoarded.  I like the way the apostle Paul phrases it in Romans 10 (NIV).  First he quotes the words of the prophet Joel, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  But then he asks, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?"  He follows that with a logical progression that speaks to today's passage, "And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"  I rest my case. I have Good News to share.