Anchor My Faith

From Whom Do We Seek Glory?

Scripture: John 5:41-47

We continue to look at the testimony of Jesus about himself and his Father and his accusations against the Jews. Jesus says: ^{Jn 5:41} “I do not receive glory from people. ⁴² But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.” The teachings and works of Jesus are not for the purpose of obtaining glory from people, as was the practice of the Jews, but to explain and demonstrate that he was the Messiah. Jesus is pointing out to these Jews that they do not believe in him because they do not have the love of God in them.

Jesus then said, ^{Jn 5:43} “I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.” To come in the Father’s name means that he came in the authority of his Father and represents his character; all that was true about him. What more could Jesus say and do to convince these Jews that the Father did send him and that he is the Son of God, the Messiah. Jesus then implies that many others will come in their own name and be accepted. We hear reports of these people who have or are living among us; reports that will increase as we approach end times: “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray” (Matthew 24:5 ESV).

Why is it that many do not believe? Jesus gives an answer with a question: ^{Jn 5:44} “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” One’s ability to believe is connected to their source of glory; is it sought from God or people. Pride seeks glory from people while humility seeks glory from God. Pride says look at me while humility says look at God. The proud believes in self and thus has no desire for Jesus, the source of life.

Jesus continues: ^{Jn 5:45} “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. ⁴⁶ For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.” Besides Moses, think of all the prophets God sent to the Jews to explain to them what they were doing wrong and how to live correctly in belief and obedience, and think of their disbelief and continued disobedience. Can it not be expected they would also reject Jesus? Listening to Jesus and seeing his miracles, these Jews were acting like Jews had through most of the Old Testament. Their disbelief; their lifestyle goes way back to Moses and Jesus said, ^{Jn 5:47} “But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” and they didn’t.

Conclusion

Father, I am convinced that if you had not touched my life, I would still be living in pride and arrogance, separated from an eternal relationship with you through Jesus Christ. Thank you for choosing and adopting me as one of your children. Thank you for the process of conforming me into the image of Jesus that you are carrying out in my life.