Jeremiah 3 and 4 liken Israel and Judah to unfaithful wives who have had many lovers. God is calling for them to repent. He is clear that if they truly lament their mistakes and turn from their unfaithful ways God will restore their relationship. Otherwise, it will lead to divorce. God is trying to convince His people that they must turn around. They are going the wrong way.

John 2 reveals the first miracle Jesus performed, the turning of water into wine at a wedding. His disciples now believed in him

Jesus goes into the temple at Passover and turns over the tables of the money changers. This story is put in an earlier place in this gospel than in the others. He descriptively predicts his death and resurrection but people don’t understand. People believe in Jesus when they see him do signs and wonders, but Jesus knows their hearts, whether the belief is sincere or not.

Jesus knows our hearts. Even if we go through the paces of faith, if we are not sincere Jesus can tell. He understands motivations as well as actions. He deals with our souls, our inner beings. We might try to fool ourselves into thinking that just because we do the right thing we are in God’s graces, but Jesus looks at our hearts. It is a matter of faith.