The apostle John wrote about Jesus, “though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him. That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spoke of him”, and in chapter twelve and verse forty-two of his book John wrote, “nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him” where we read:
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him;
but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
The verse reads, “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him;” John began with the word, “nevertheless” which means “yet, still and howbeit” “among the chief rulers” or “out of the commanders, leaders and magistrates” “also many believed on him” which means “even so and indeed a great and large number of the chief rulers trusted in, relied upon, clung to and had confidence in Jesus”. John shared how there were a number of the “Jewish rulers” who “relied upon and trusted in” Jesus.
The verse goes on to say, “but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:” John continued with the words, “but because of the Pharisees” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover since and on account of the men who were part of the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “they did not confess him” or “the chief rulers did not assent to, declare or concede to Jesus”, “lest they should be put out of” which means “in order and so that the chief rulers would not be cast or throw away from” “the synagogue” or “the sacred worship assembly of the Israelites and would be excluded and excommunicated from the activities performed there”. John shared how the “chief rulers”, although they believed in Jesus, would not openly declare Him or they would have been “excommunicated” from the “sacred worship” place and activities.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn not only that there were “chief rulers” who “believed” in Jesus, but also that they were “afraid” they would lose their positions in the “synagogue” if they openly declared Him. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to save people from their sins so they may have a personal relationship with Him and live with Him forever. For these “chief rulers”, there was an “earthly cost” for their faith and trust in Jesus, and because they feared man more than God, they did not make their “belief” in Jesus known. Proverbs chapter twenty-nine and verse twenty-five says, “The fear of man brings a snare: but whoever puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe”, and when there is a decision whether to “declare Jesus” or not, no one will regret their decision eternally for doing so.
Next time John shares how the non-confessing “chief rulers'” did not declare Him because they “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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