“Jesus . . knew what was in man.” John 2:25 NIV.

One’s better potential is possible; others’ expectations rarely are.

Patience is easy to claim until something or someone tests it. Some years ago, I met a person wearing a puzzling lapel button with an unpronounceable mixture of letters – PBPGNFWMY. My curiosity prevailed and I asked of its meaning, receiving their explanation that the letters stood for, “Please be patient; God’s not finished with me yet.” How different your life, and relationships, could be if you remembered that simple reality. We all tend to expect a lot from people, often more than their capabilities at the moment. If you remembered our common humanity, you would have more realistic expectations of yourself, as well as others.

I think there is a difference between seeing the best in another person or having unrealistic expectations of them. One’s better potential is possible; others’ expectations rarely are. Seeing the best is to believe yourself, or another, holds potential just needing encouragement to be realized, while unrealistic expectations determine what you desire a person to be and demand they become. You, and most others, are capable of more than we require of ourselves – better behavior, greater achievement, stronger discipline, or kinder interactions – but all of us often fail the expectations of one another.

Jesus knew people, perfectly. He not only identified with our humanity; Jesus embraced yours and my humanity completely, “yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT. John’s Gospel explains, “Jesus did not need man’s testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.” John 2:25 NIV. Another translation reads, “. . because Jesus knew what was in their hearts.” Today’s English Version.

I am intrigued by the idea; Jesus knows what’s in a man’s hearts. Jesus sees the best in you and works to bring out the best, but also knows your human frailty. He is neither surprised when you are your best nor when you are not. Jesus faithfully calls you to a higher standard, yet understands your best would still be imperfect. That is comforting to me because my heart and intentions are often better than my performance at a given moment.

Jesus knows my heart – that I want to be better than I am; I can be better than I am, but I am not always better than I could be. I think you who are reading this can probably identify with such a confession. My realistic expectation for you is as was Paul’s for the Philippians, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you . . being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6 NIV. 1 John 3:1-3 NKJV.

Simon Peter is well known for his spiritual lapses, none more recounted than his denials of Jesus. After His Resurrection, Jesus affirmed Peter’s love. Mindful of Peter’s failure but knowing Peter’s heart, Jesus said, “Satan has desired to have you . . but I have prayed for you that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 KJV. Jesus saw and believed the best of which Peter was capable. The word, “converted,” is from the Latin “convertere,” meaning “to turn around.” The word used by Luke can also describe “a rope twisted until rigid and strong.” Jesus knew Peter’s heart; Peter’s failure neither defined his past nor declared his future. Nor should yours.

My prayer for you today is that you are confident of the potential God sees in you.