Seeking the glory that comes from the only God

John 5:41-47 [1]

⁴¹ ‘I do not accept glory from human beings, ⁴² but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. ⁴³ 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. ⁴⁴ How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

⁴⁵ ‘But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. ⁴⁶ If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. ⁴⁷ But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?’

In the past few weeks, we learned about four witnesses of Jesus [2-5] written in John 5:31-40. A man (Baptist John) sent by God witnessed who Jesus is [2]. The works Jesus did including signs and miracles witnessed who Jesus is [4]. The Voice of God the Father witnessed who Jesus is [3]. The Old Testament written over a thousand years witnesses Who Jesus is [5]. This is amazing and glorious! Unbelief seems impossible at this point. Today, let us learn how Jesus confronts their unbelief.

I. I have come in my Father’s name (41-43a)

See v41.

⁴¹ ‘I do not accept glory from human beings,

The devil tempted Jesus to throw Himself down from the highest point of the temple (Matthew 4:5). This temptation misleads to test God to see whether God might do as they would expect (Matthew 4:7). A person misled by this temptation may do dangerous stunts and receive attention and recognition from human beings. Some people may like this type of superhero. People are tempted to accept glory from human beings and in return others may envy them. Solomon saw that all toil and achievement spring from one person’s envy of another, and pointed out that this is meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecclesiastes 4:4).

Our saviour does not accept glory from human beings. He is not motivated by others’ attention and recognition. Instead, He loves God (42) and had come in His Father’s name (43a). He sought the glory that comes from the only God (44). Jesus was humble and obedient.

We should imitate Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1). We should have the same mindset as Jesus (Philippians 2:5-8) and remember that Jesus was exalted by God (Philippians 2:9-11). God will honour the one who serves Jesus (John 12:26b).

Also, see Hebrews 13:7.

⁷ Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

II. If someone else comes in his own name (43b-47)

See v43b.

but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.

They didn’t accept this gentle, kind and good shepherd, Jesus (43a). They didn’t love God (42). They didn’t keep the first and greatest commandment in the Law (Matthew 22:36-38)

They will accept an impostor out for glory from men, caring not for glory from God [6]. It is truly astonishing how one coming in his own name, seeking in the boldest, rankest way his own glory, advantage, power, and money, by making people his dupes and victims, is received by thousands with open arms [6].

This reminds us of the fact that they chose Barabbas instead of Jesus in Luke 23:16-25. Please read other related verses below.

• The lawless one will be revealed and claim to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:4, 8a).
• He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9b-12)

See v44.

⁴⁴ How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Jesus pointed out ‘You accept glory from one another.’ Glory (Messianic dignities/honours) are both accorded and accepted in a hierarchical system from human, sinful motives, ambition, favour and the like [7].

Jesus pointed out ‘You do not seek the glory that comes from the only God.’ Jesus neither sought nor expected human affirmation for his task as God’s agent. His perspective was the affirmation (glory) of the Father [8].

What Jesus pointed out were their problems and reasons for their unbelief (44). Their motivation was impure and worldly.

See v45.

⁴⁵ ‘But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set.

Their hopes are set on Moses. However, Moses will be their accuser for their unbelief and rejection of Jesus (45). The Law was given through Moses, who brought the ministry of condemnation, which leads to death. Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ, who brought the ministry of righteousness, that leads to life.

See v46.

⁴⁶ If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.

Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19.

¹⁵ The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.

¹⁸ I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. ¹⁹ I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.

Deuteronomy is one of the first five books (The Books of the Law) in the Holy Bible, written through Moses. ‘The prophet’ mentioned above is Jesus, the Messiah. Apostle Peter confirmed this in Acts 3:19-23.

See v47.

⁴⁷ But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?’

If they did not believe Moses, who was their basic support for tradition, then why should anyone expect them to accept Jesus and His words [8]?

Also, see Luke 16:31.

³¹ ‘He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” ’

References

1. The Holy Bible: New International Version. Anglicised. Revised and updated. ed. 2011: London: Hodder & Stoughton.
2. Park, Y. Another Witness of Jesus – John the Baptist. 2023 30/04/2023]; Available from: https://comnc.org/another-witness-of-jesus-john-the-baptist/.
3. Park, Y. Another Witness of Jesus – the Father who sent Jesus. 2023 14/05/2023]; Available from: https://comnc.org/another-witness-of-jesus-the-father-who-sent-jesus/.
4. Park, Y. Another Witness of Jesus – The Works that the Father has given Him to finish. 2023 7/05/2023]; Available from: https://comnc.org/another-witness-of-jesus-the-works-that-the-father-has-given-him-to-finish/.
5. Park, Y. Another Witness of Jesus – the Scriptures. 2023 28/05/2023]; Available from: https://comnc.org/another-witness-of-jesus-the-scriptures/.
6. Lenski, R.C.H., The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel. Logos Research Edition ed. 1961, Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.
7. Lange, J.P.S., Philip, A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John. Logos Research ed. 2008, Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
8. Borchert, G.L., The New American Commentary: John 1-11. 1996: Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.