“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God. 44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12.43-46
The truth is that Jesus is God. He says so himself — “The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me (God).” Even with those Jews who failed to believe in him, many still believed. However, those who believed among the leaders were fearful. The scripture tells us they did not want to get kicked out of the synagogue— “for they loved human praise more than praise from God.”
This is many people today. Even though they are convinced that Jesus is God, that he’s Messiah and the way to everlasting life, they choose human approval and comforts of cultural inclusion more than God. I’ve done this myself and hope I’m not still doing it! The comforts of life are blessings from the Lord. Everything we have is from his and belongs to him. Status and reputations are based upon his direction. Keeping first Jesus and the most important thing is necessary.
So many leaders did in fact believe but they were fearful of their fellow man and woman. They were afraid of what might happen if they put their whole trust in Jesus— the consequences would be grave indeed.
But shouldn’t Christ’s love and truth compel us to follow him no mater what? If he is God, which he claimed to be, and which I believe, then we should give all to his cause. Besides, when we believe in him we no longer will walk in darkness but will have the light of the Lord.
Jesus loved the world. He wanted all to be saved and he made every effort to convince a broken world of their need for God. And while many ultimately believed, the majority would go their own way. They would not know their true purpose for living and miss a relationship with a God who loves them better than they love themselves.
Our challenge today is to spread the Gospel. Make Jesus known. Share his love and message with truth so those who doubt might see God, have a radical transformation and be all who God has called them to be by his grace and for his glory.
“O Lord God, you are good. I only have to build your kingdom and not my own. My ambition is to be in relationship with you and to do that which you put before me be it big or small in the worlds eyes. Come now, Lord Jesus, make your way among us. Bring revival, win souls, convert the lost, capture the broken. Help me be all you have called me to be— for you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen