Glory
This week's goodness is on John 5:31-44:
Jesus here is talking about lamps and light again. Truth is light. It reveals things, the same as the treasures and dangers in a room are revealed when the light comes on. John brought light, both in truth and in revealing God's power to forgive and heal. Jesus is saying that the point of it wasn't to glorify John or glorify Jesus, but to reveal truth and reach people who didn't know they could be saved.
People give glory to each other. They assign titles and awards and lift each other up. It's like a game to see who can get the most points. All of that was meaningless to Jesus. He didn't come to earth to beg up praise. He came to spread the truth and save the lost. But so many of us seek our own glory anyway. If Jesus didn't seek it, though he deserved it, why should we?
I used to know a guy who would get pulled over for various traffic infractions, and during his talk with the policeman, he would invariably mention that he was a pastor. In his mind, he deserved a certain amount of reverence because of his position. Other people are quick to mention that they're a Doctor, or an Apostle or Evangelist or whatever. They want the pat on the back. They want points to be awarded. They're missing the point.
Others are quick to worship people. If someone is good at something, even if it's as worthless as throwing and catching a ball, people will give them glory and worship. They'll wear the number associated with the object of their adoration. They'll put his picture on their wall or use it as wallpaper for their desktop or phone. They'll wear his colors and the logo of the team he plays for. They'll pay a lot of money to be in the same room as him, sometimes traveling hundreds or thousands of miles just to catch a distant glimpse. If he appears in a commercial for a product, they'll buy that product, even if they'd never wanted it before. Oftentimes, the people worshiped by other people aren't even good people. They're just good at having their picture taken, or singing a song, or getting a $20 ball to go into a net. Jesus doesn't play that game.
Jesus points out the ridiculousness of it. If you show up and tell people you're awesome, they'll think you're awesome. If you show up with a group of people you've told you're awesome, people will be even more likely to think you're awesome. But Jesus, who actually is awesome, wasn't noticed by anyone. God said that Jesus was awesome before Jesus even appeared and died for our sins. But that's not nearly as cool as being able to catch a ball, or sing a song, or pretend to be someone else on a big screen. Those are the things men count as worthy of glory. It's not worth fighting for.
Jesus could have been the most worshiped leader in all of history if he'd wanted to. He knew what people liked, and how they worked. He could have lived eternally as God in our midst, through all generations, if that was his desire. Instead, he chose to die a painful death as a criminal in order to save us. If that's not compatible with our value system, what does that say about our value system? If even God himself didn't accept the glory of men when he was among us, who are we to develop a taste for it ourselves? If Jesus had loved the praise of men (or women) as much as some of us, would he have been as willing to go where he went and do what he did, or to endure what he endured and give what he gave?
Truth is the important thing, and truth gives glory to God.
“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.
“You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
“I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
Jesus here is talking about lamps and light again. Truth is light. It reveals things, the same as the treasures and dangers in a room are revealed when the light comes on. John brought light, both in truth and in revealing God's power to forgive and heal. Jesus is saying that the point of it wasn't to glorify John or glorify Jesus, but to reveal truth and reach people who didn't know they could be saved.
People give glory to each other. They assign titles and awards and lift each other up. It's like a game to see who can get the most points. All of that was meaningless to Jesus. He didn't come to earth to beg up praise. He came to spread the truth and save the lost. But so many of us seek our own glory anyway. If Jesus didn't seek it, though he deserved it, why should we?
I used to know a guy who would get pulled over for various traffic infractions, and during his talk with the policeman, he would invariably mention that he was a pastor. In his mind, he deserved a certain amount of reverence because of his position. Other people are quick to mention that they're a Doctor, or an Apostle or Evangelist or whatever. They want the pat on the back. They want points to be awarded. They're missing the point.
Others are quick to worship people. If someone is good at something, even if it's as worthless as throwing and catching a ball, people will give them glory and worship. They'll wear the number associated with the object of their adoration. They'll put his picture on their wall or use it as wallpaper for their desktop or phone. They'll wear his colors and the logo of the team he plays for. They'll pay a lot of money to be in the same room as him, sometimes traveling hundreds or thousands of miles just to catch a distant glimpse. If he appears in a commercial for a product, they'll buy that product, even if they'd never wanted it before. Oftentimes, the people worshiped by other people aren't even good people. They're just good at having their picture taken, or singing a song, or getting a $20 ball to go into a net. Jesus doesn't play that game.
Jesus points out the ridiculousness of it. If you show up and tell people you're awesome, they'll think you're awesome. If you show up with a group of people you've told you're awesome, people will be even more likely to think you're awesome. But Jesus, who actually is awesome, wasn't noticed by anyone. God said that Jesus was awesome before Jesus even appeared and died for our sins. But that's not nearly as cool as being able to catch a ball, or sing a song, or pretend to be someone else on a big screen. Those are the things men count as worthy of glory. It's not worth fighting for.
Jesus could have been the most worshiped leader in all of history if he'd wanted to. He knew what people liked, and how they worked. He could have lived eternally as God in our midst, through all generations, if that was his desire. Instead, he chose to die a painful death as a criminal in order to save us. If that's not compatible with our value system, what does that say about our value system? If even God himself didn't accept the glory of men when he was among us, who are we to develop a taste for it ourselves? If Jesus had loved the praise of men (or women) as much as some of us, would he have been as willing to go where he went and do what he did, or to endure what he endured and give what he gave?
Truth is the important thing, and truth gives glory to God.
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