The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 12:42-43,
"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; for they loved human praise more than praise from God."
The Pharisees had the people under their thumb. Here was a group who were consumed with controlling others thoughts and actions. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the desire to control all that people say and do. Obviously there is always a need to curb lawless and deranged behavior to protect others, but this goes way beyond that.
God gives mankind a free will, but many among mankind seek to take away that which God has given.
John appears here to be critical of those believers controlled by the Pharisees. He points out they would not openly acknowledge their faith in Jesus Christ out of their fear of the Pharisees. They "loved human praise more than praise from God." Perhaps loving the human praise of the Pharisees is another way of saying they didn't want the retribution the Pharisees might bring against them were they to acknowledge their faith in Jesus Christ.
In any event, not publicly expressing their faith in Jesus Christ appears to be an attitude that precludes praise from God, "they loved human praise more than praise from God." These believers embraced the former to the exclusion of the latter.
"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; for they loved human praise more than praise from God."
The Pharisees had the people under their thumb. Here was a group who were consumed with controlling others thoughts and actions. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the desire to control all that people say and do. Obviously there is always a need to curb lawless and deranged behavior to protect others, but this goes way beyond that.
God gives mankind a free will, but many among mankind seek to take away that which God has given.
John appears here to be critical of those believers controlled by the Pharisees. He points out they would not openly acknowledge their faith in Jesus Christ out of their fear of the Pharisees. They "loved human praise more than praise from God." Perhaps loving the human praise of the Pharisees is another way of saying they didn't want the retribution the Pharisees might bring against them were they to acknowledge their faith in Jesus Christ.
In any event, not publicly expressing their faith in Jesus Christ appears to be an attitude that precludes praise from God, "they loved human praise more than praise from God." These believers embraced the former to the exclusion of the latter.
And, of course, I ask myself this morning, are there those occasions or relationships where I am somewhat reluctant to acknowledge my faith in Jesus Christ? On the positive side, do I express my faith in him to others that would bring me praise from God?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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