It’s frustrating to argue with someone who doesn’t care to take your words seriously, no matter how right you may be. Such was Jesus’ predicament in this chapter. This passage marks the end of a lengthy monologue of his, full of proofs of his divinity and authority, and yet there is no indication that anyone is moved to believe him in the slightest. What exactly is it that hardens people’s hearts from being open to the truth?
As Jesus accused them, they sought glory that comes from man instead of glory that comes from God. Life’s highest priorities, the things they pursued the hardest, ultimately boiled down to grasping for the respect of other people. Does that sound familiar? Doesn't that sound like kids trying to be the strongest, teenagers trying to be the coolest, and adults trying to be the richest or funniest or most successful or most renowned? I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve subconsciously been all of those. All of us are hungry for glory, but more often than we’re willing to admit, we seek it in the most ridiculous place: the opinions of other people.
But why would we care about people’s opinions if their opinions are ungodly? If people’s judgment of the world isn’t grounded in truth and wisdom and love, their opinion of us shouldn’t matter at all! This is why Jesus said he doesn’t accept glory from human beings. Instead, Jesus sought glory from the Father alone, because the Father’s opinion is always perfect truth. And he instructs all of us to do the same! The Jewish leaders who didn’t, who sought glory only from fellow men, were blind to the far greater glory that was walking and talking right in front of them!
From where do you seek glory? An honest answer probably has to be a humble one. Worldly glory is the most attractive thing to our flesh. But God invites us to the far superior glory that comes through Jesus alone. The model is backwards: in living entirely for the glory of Christ Jesus, we find for ourselves the wonderful glory for which we were made! So seek glory from God alone, and take his Word seriously. If you have to be a people-pleaser, please the people who please God. But keep your eyes and your pursuits upon Jesus!
