John 12:42-46
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.
John says that many believed in Jesus, "but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God" (verses 42-43). This is a sad indictment, that we would deny our beliefs out of fear. But I can relate to being controlled by what others think of me, of loving praise from others more than praise from God. My fantasies are often about praise of self from others, and thus I end up valuing that more than God's praise. What is needed is a deeper acceptance of God's love, so that I don't need praise from others. In verse 46 Jesus says that he has "come into the world as light", and we need to learn to gain our identity from God's light, not from the spotlight.
God, help me to be satisfied with your love.
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.
John says that many believed in Jesus, "but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God" (verses 42-43). This is a sad indictment, that we would deny our beliefs out of fear. But I can relate to being controlled by what others think of me, of loving praise from others more than praise from God. My fantasies are often about praise of self from others, and thus I end up valuing that more than God's praise. What is needed is a deeper acceptance of God's love, so that I don't need praise from others. In verse 46 Jesus says that he has "come into the world as light", and we need to learn to gain our identity from God's light, not from the spotlight.
God, help me to be satisfied with your love.