Human Praise

John 12:37, 42-43 (NLT)

But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. … Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

Jesus is finishing his last public sermon before the Last Supper. He’s performed his miracles and shown the people of Jerusalem everything he wants them to see before he dies and rises again. And still, the majority of people around him do not believe that he is the Son of God. This is so heartbreaking to read, but what is perhaps more saddening are those who did believe but would not follow him.

It is remarkable that some of the people who were most critical of Jesus softened their hearts and accepted the truth about who Jesus is. This is an encouragement to us to keep sharing our faith with those we think are the least likely to accept the Message.

Tragically these religious leaders turn away from eternal life because of social pressures. They were afraid that their faith in Jesus would jeopardise their current lifestyles and compromise their positions of influence. This may be hard to grasp for those of us growing up in the privilege of religious freedom, but when we consider members of the persecuted church around the world it takes on a whole new meaning. I’d encourage you now to go to the Open Doors website and read through some of the stories.

Please, when you read these stories don’t let them dishearten you about your own faith, rather let them challenge you to greater faith. Where are you letting people influence you more than God? In what ways are you compromising for fear of a change in lifestyle? What areas do you need to surrender completely to him?

Prayer — Father, I want to live for you wholeheartedly, regardless of pressures from other people. Show me where I’m compromising and give me the boldness to go all out for you.