They loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. – John 12:43
Hans Christian Andersen’s story The Emperor’s New Clothes tells of swindling weavers who convince almost everyone that they have woven the most beautiful trousers, coat, and mantle for the emperor when in fact they had woven nothing. Those around the emperor were too afraid to say there was nothing for fear they would be accused of being unfit for office or just unusually stupid. In the end, a child exclaimed the truth, and others finally agreed.
When Jesus walked on this earth, thousands were witnesses to His miracles as lepers were healed, the lame were made to walk, and Lazarus was even brought back from the dead. The apostle John exclaims, “Though he [Jesus] had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him” (John 12:37). In this case, there were so many reasons for the people, Jew and Gentile, to believe that Jesus was Messiah, and yet many did not.
Isaiah had foretold that hearts would be hardened and eyes blinded to the truth of Christ as Messiah. John mentions that “many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42). Their desire for human commendation kept them from professing Christ publicly, though others may have stood with them if they had.
In a world where professing your beliefs can bring judgment, ridicule, and even job loss, remember that it is better to please God than to please humanity. Stand strong for Him. Pray now for those who govern this nation. May they seek to please God first, no matter the consequences.
Today’s Verse: John 12:43
for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 12:35-38, 41-46
35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
