"How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" John 5.44
Jesus is a Messiah that insists on humbling himself. The pharisees and all the jews were waiting in expectation for a great Messiah to come. One that would free them from political oppression, one that would rise, and make Israel great again as in the time of King Solomon. They wanted a mighty leader that would promote the Israeli cause, and one that- but on a different level- would endorse their way of living (v43b).
Then one who says, 'I can do nothing on my own' (v30), comes on the scene and claims to be the Messiah, in fact claims to be God himself! Jesus, who makes little of himself but much of God, claims to be the one the pharisees and jews were all waiting for. If He really is the one, that means following Him. That would mean their way of living would need turning upside down. That means praising him!
At this point, our hearts are exposed and cut open (Jesus tends to do that). Why won't you accept that I am He? Moses points to me, the whole Old Testament points to me, I am making it clear through signs and wonders. They stand before Jesus - God himself - and don't want to come to him! (literal translation of v40) How can this be?
The answer is in verse 44. Seeking praise and glory from man: who would have thought it could be so dangerous! Jesus shows us what it is to be God's child. To not thirst after the praise of man, to not be making a name for yourself, to not seek to be exalted, to not be stuck in the realm others opinions of you, as if you depend on it for your glory. Positively: to live a 'gloriously heroic' life (see entry below), with Jesus as our model. People don't like the sound of this, so they don't come to Jesus.
To be much more concerned for God's glory, than my own.
Then one who says, 'I can do nothing on my own' (v30), comes on the scene and claims to be the Messiah, in fact claims to be God himself! Jesus, who makes little of himself but much of God, claims to be the one the pharisees and jews were all waiting for. If He really is the one, that means following Him. That would mean their way of living would need turning upside down. That means praising him!
At this point, our hearts are exposed and cut open (Jesus tends to do that). Why won't you accept that I am He? Moses points to me, the whole Old Testament points to me, I am making it clear through signs and wonders. They stand before Jesus - God himself - and don't want to come to him! (literal translation of v40) How can this be?
The answer is in verse 44. Seeking praise and glory from man: who would have thought it could be so dangerous! Jesus shows us what it is to be God's child. To not thirst after the praise of man, to not be making a name for yourself, to not seek to be exalted, to not be stuck in the realm others opinions of you, as if you depend on it for your glory. Positively: to live a 'gloriously heroic' life (see entry below), with Jesus as our model. People don't like the sound of this, so they don't come to Jesus.
To be much more concerned for God's glory, than my own.
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