Nevertheless, even among the rulers, many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (John 12:42-43)

Seeking The Praise Of Men

Peer pressure is a formidable force to reckon with. Everyone wants to be accepted, and the pressure to be like those around them drives men to abandon their values and principles. Many a man has been dragged into a compromising situation because of the pressure from those who are his peers in a failed effort to be accepted and liked. Jesus performed signs, wonders, and miracles that no one denied. The Pharisees would complain about Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath, but they never challenged if the miracle was real. Multitudes heard Jesus preach a message that had authority and clarity, unlike the teachings of the Jewish leaders. Nothing in the life of Jesus could be disputed. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. A person either had to accept it or deny it.

Among the rulers, many had been convinced Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God. The miracles impressed the hearts of the rulers to admit no man could do such things apart from God. There were ample opportunities that changed the hearts of the Jewish rulers to see Jesus as someone more than the carpenter’s son. Many of the rulers believed in Jesus. The pressure from their peers made them deny Jesus. If the Pharisees learned these men believed that Jesus was the Messiah, they would be removed from the synagogue, and they refused to give up their prestige. They loved the honor and praise of men more than confessing Jesus as Lord. In the synagogue, they were honored and exalted as important men. It was not in their hearts to walk away from the glory of human pride. They believed, but they denied.

The world has always been against the citizens of righteousness. Noah must have had a difficult time in the corrupt world he lived in, but he never denied God. There would have been incredible pressures from literally the whole world pushing down upon his shoulders and the hearts of his family. The family of Noah preserved their faith in God, seeking His honor rather than giving in to the accolades of sinful men. When the rain started, and the floods consumed the world, everyone confessed a belief in God, but only eight were saved. The pressure of peers destroyed many a soul that day. Noah stood alone with his family. Other Bible characters refused to embrace the praise of men. Moses forsook Egyptian wealth and power. Rahab turned away from her people. Not all the kings of the southern kingdom of Judah were evil. Seven of the kings sought the praise of God in a world overflowing with evil. The early church found men like the apostles who declared their allegiance to God rather than men. Saints died confessing their faith in Jesus Christ.

Many men seek the rewards of life, whether in business, politics, or sports. It is the driving desire for men to leave their mark on history. They fail to understand how deep the dust of history becomes with each generation. A man can make a name for himself in one generation, but in later generations, his name is unknown. Seeking the praise of men is short-lived. Denying the Son of God for the honor of the sons of men is trading eternity with God or Satan. The rulers believed in Jesus but, because of the fear of losing their place in the synagogue, denied they knew Jesus. Do not make the same mistake. Men die. Jesus is forever.