They loved human praise more than praise from God.
Verse 43 of today’s reading felt like a punch in the gut to me, a turn of phrase that exposed all my idols with its economical nine words. This is a reading about the Pharisees, those oft-demonized leaders of the Jewish people in Jesus’s time. I’ve heard illustrations that compare me to the Pharisees dozens of times: I struggle with legalism (which is true), I focus on outward actions rather than inward transformation (also true), I struggle to believe (definitely true). But this particular description of the Pharisees really knocked me flat.
In this passage, John recounts Isaiah’s prophecy and experience to contextualize the Pharisees’ disbelief in Jesus as the Messiah. In Isaiah 53:1, Isaiah asks, “Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” When John makes this reference, he is showing us how Jesus fulfilled yet another prophecy in the Old Testament. This is a hallmark of John’s Gospel, revealing these glimpses backward to show us the true nature and identity of Jesus. Jesus had done so much to fulfill the words of the prophets; He had “performed so many signs in their presence,” and yet, “they did not believe in him” (John 12:37).
But what struck me today wasn’t what this passage reveals about Jesus (though that is, as always, incredibly important). It was what it reveals about the Pharisees, and what it reveals about me. Yes, the Pharisees are often painted as evil. But who were they? They were men who guarded the truth. Men who dedicated their lives to God’s law, to following it and teaching it. They were misguided by their unwillingness to change, to see the mystery and providence of God in the divinity of Jesus. Tolstoy called it the “stationary righteousness of the Pharisee,” this rigid belief in the words on the page, rather than the incarnate Christ standing before them.
Pharisees measured their life by their actions, but it was all they had known. Their north star was the Word of God, but they did not see the Word made flesh who dwelled among them. I am duly convicted: by my own unwillingness to turn to Christ, but also my willingness to only dwell on the grace of Jesus at the expense of following His law. I can learn from both the Pharisees’ mistakes and their commitment to the Word of God.
But the prioritization John gives us in verse 47 is the piece to remember, the pin that holds together this tension of belief and action. We should love God’s Word as much as the Pharisees loved the law, and we should love Jesus and cling to Him. Our actions should be for Jesus, not for humankind. We should love the praise of God more than the praise of humans. May we crave the praise of God more than anything else, and may our lives reflect the limitless love of Christ.
Leave a Reply
88 thoughts on "The Fulfillment of Prophecies"
I have Pharisees tendencies and fail to see the Glory in front of me which is God.
I struggle day after day with feeling accepted. With doing the “right” thing by those that I love. But what is “right” to them may not be right to God. I have to remind myself daily, hourly sometimes minute by minute that God is the one that matters. That God is the one to impress. That God is the one that loves unconditionally regardless of what mistakes we make. He loves us. He forgives us. He’s always with us.
Yes, the struggles are real to me too. I seek to be His voice and light each day in my world and those around me.
Lord we thank you
❤️
Lord, If I’m honest I struggle with this. I love the praise of humans whether it’s in my job, family, etc. Help me to crave the praise of God more than anything else and may my life reflect it.
Praying for you, Paige!
I see everything that everyone is saying. I myself especially when I was young always wanted prototypes notice me. I’m I wearing the right clothes, doing the right things or saying the right things to get noticed. That’s because I really wasn’t taught about God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. I know now that it’s not my place on this little ball called earth to make people see me and have them make me happy. It’s up to me to talk to God, and ask God to love me for who I am. I am to tell people about God. I’m to put my light on Him and not me. God is the most important part of each of our lives. Each person just has to come to that on their own. I love God Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and one day I will see them for myself. I hear them now, but I sometimes don’t always listen to what they are trying to tell me, but I am human. That’s why God had to be made human to see what we as humans go through here on earth. It’s not always easy, but we can make it easy by asking God to help in everything we do. I love you women. You all have no idea how much you help me. I stay in the shadows and come out every once in a while.
Amen
Praying each day you stay in Gods word – don’t give the enemy any opportunity to fill your head with fear, doubt or anxiety. God wants to be first in your life. Let His love fill your heart so you may pass it on to others. Remember our kids are just like us – a work in progress- never perfect but God through his word is perfecting us to be more like Jesus. Gods word helps us to learn & grow so we may know how to respond & that others will want to know about Him
Yes!! “The tension of belief and action” Following God’s Word AND resting in grace —- Lord, help me live by Your Word AND cling to Jesus!!!!
I am praying for you Paige. God knows what you, your husband and your 15 year old need to experience healing and reconciliation. Whatever the issue, you are not beyond redemption or forgiveness or whatever is needed. Sit quietly and ask for the Lord to reveal just the next right thing for you to do. That maybe nothing. His grace is sufficient for all our mistakes, hurts and whatevers.
Praying for you Paige
Paige, I have felt like a burden before, but for those who love us, we are not a burden. Life is simply what it is, and we all deal with things as they come. I pray that you get some relief from your pain, and please continue to post. And keep reading even on days you can’t concentrate. The Bible says God’s word never comes back void.
I know I am a couple of days late in posting , but my dear @Paige Farmer I see you! I am praying for you! God can do miracles in our families. He is the waymaker. Even when we don’t see it, or feel it, He is moving. If you need someone reach out to me. Sundman.m04@gmailmcom. I am praying for you!
Paige, I am praying for you right now, dear one. God is with you, even in this moment. He loves you so much, and He is in the business of restoration. Praying for forgiveness, reconciliation and change in the name of Jesus, sweet sister.
Please pray for me. I am a burden to my sweet husband and my 15 isn’t speaking to me. Not in a good place mentally.
Struggling
I can’t even care about this passage today. I barely made it through the reading. My husband is burdened by me and my middle son isn’t speaking to me. I’m not in a good place. I’d appreciate your prayers.
I had a similar reaction to these verses. Am I so concerned about what people will say about me that I rarely speak out about God? Yes, I do. God help me!
Amen Churchmouse. I am guilty of this very same thing.
For those having trouble with the prophecy in Isaiah- from D Guzik’s commentary “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart: In quoting from Isaiah 6:9-10 John emphasized that unbelief was because God acted in judgment upon those who refused to see His truth and turn to Him. God would strengthen them in their decision, either for Jesus or against Him. In light of this principle, they could not believe, as Isaiah described.
i. “Not one of them was fated to be incapable of belief; it is made plain below (John 12:42) that some did in fact believe. But the OT prediction had to be fulfilled, and fulfilled it was in those who, as matter of fact, did not believe.” (Bruce)
ii. “He does not mean that the blinding takes place without the will or against the will of these people. So with the hardening of their heart. These men chose evil. It was their own deliberate choice, their own fault.” (Morris)’
Lord I pray that you help me to more intentional with my words and actions!! Help me to be lead by you and only speak what you want me to speak! Thank you for your grace and everlasting love!❤️
Praying for your husband GrammieSue. Prayers for a successful surgery and good recovery, and for your calmness and peace in the waiting! Hopefully you have some family or friends to be with you!? And yes, please check in with us!’
SarahJoy I totally agree with you. This is so hard sometimes to let go of the judgment from others and only let Him be our judge.
“They preferred to be approved by people rather than by God”
Wow.. that hit me deep tonight! As someone who has always cared what others think of me..and in the past has been a different person to make others happy.. its sad! They would have rather keep themselves safe rather than stand up in their faith. Not to judge them though.. I think most of us are recovering from wanting to be approved by people. I think, though, it’s not our business about what people think of us (not in a privacy way). Our business here is to be vessels for Jesus… not someone else to make society happy!
Lisa May….GREAT THOUGHT PROVOKING QUESTIONS!!!
Gramsie Sue- we are here for you in love and prayer. We are with you and your husband on this journey. Be strong and rest in God’s love.
Wow! Lots of comments and requests today! Especially praying for you, Victoria and Grammie Sue! Praying that I learn from the Pharisees strengths and weaknesses and that I cherish every aspect of God, revealed in His Word and otherwise(but always aligning with the Word). Thank you for sharing!
GRAMSIESUE- continually praying for you and you husband. Wisdom and guidance for the doctors and medical staff.
VICTORIA E.-Special prayers for you and your sweet baby also. I check in for updates each day as I read and pray over all the comments.
ALL MY FELLOW SHES- I don’t comment very often but know I am reading and praying over your comments each day!
Loved the conviction that came from the word today. The parallel of the Pharisees and my life are eerily similar and that is something I must constantly check in with and course correct. On the flip side, I loved that we see the good intention and heart of the Pharisees who love Gods word. We must be women of faith that hunger for Gods word but hold closely the Holy Spirit in our day to day walk.
There’s a God bleeds for me! Glory to the one who reached for me! Hallelujah! To the Son of Suffering
While I very much resonate with all the below posts, and appreciate the super common struggle (!), I have to say that Isaiah is confusing. The concept that God is the one who hardened hearts and blinded eyes is not something my mind grasps well.
While I vert
Lord, thankyou for your word! Gosh I am so grateful to be able to open this book every day. And every time leaving feeling convicted and learning about your love so that I can better live out your truth in this world. May I constantly focus on you the literal Christ in my life and not on pleasing everyone around me. I pray that I ultimately want you more than anything else and anyone else.
Verse 43 “They loved human praise more than praise from God.” caught me by surprise when I read it. It made me think and wonder “why”? Then after reading Melanie’s devotion I got to thinking am I the same way some of the time, a lot of the time, all the time? I know I need to improve on how I show my love for God, Christ and the Holy Spirit but how bad is it? I need to remember that the ONLY praise worth seeking is the PRAISE OF GOD!!!!
Lord help me to praise You and want Your praise over any other praise. Remind me that it is Your praise that matters the most and NONE OTHER. Amen.
Be blessed and remember GOD’S PRAISE is the ONLY ONE NEEDED.
I could have wept at Isaiah’s words. I don’t ever want to take for granted what Christ did for me, for us.
GramsieSue, prayers are coming your way. ❤️
“For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.” (John 5:46)
“Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” (John 8:56)
Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. (John 12:41)
Today I am struck by how John picks up Jesus’ theme that EVERYONE who was a hero to the religious leaders—Moses, Abraham, Isaiah—they all wrote about Jesus, rejoiced about Jesus, and saw His glory. Yes, these Pharisees read their Torah and prophets. But one has to wonder if they even believed the Torah? Or had their own laws become so much more important than the Torah that they missed what Torah was pointing them toward? What rules do we moderns pile on top of the Scriptures that prevent us from loving God and loving our neighbors? What do we make so important that it becomes greater than believing and rejoicing in the glory of God and Jesus Christ His Son?
Lord help me to strive to gain your praise more than human praise. Help me to focus on doing what is right in your eyes and will bring others to you. Praying for all the requests today.
Good morning from a recovering pharisee and people-pleaser! Goodness, there was much conviction to be had this morning. I can relate way too well to fearing man more than God and to having a judgy-pants heart, tho’ I had never considered the positive side to the pharisees’ devotion. Loved all of your comments, insights and authenticity. Praying right now for the requests mentioned.
Victoria E. I am praying for you right now!! May the Lord surround you in peace & confidence in Him. GramsieSue, I am praying for you and your husband Steve. May the Lord comfort you both, provide steady hands for the surgeons, nurse staff, techs & the laboratory at Mayo. Praying for his recovery to be one of ease and peace. My heart is with you both !!! ❤️❤️
Amber, I liked this point as well. Loving God’s written word is life giving to me. Our pastor prays before his sermon, May your written word, Lord, point us to your Living Word. I love that. ♥️
Ladies, I’m asking for prayers again for my husband Steve. Tomorrow morning he will be having brain surgery to remove a tumor. The tumor measures 4.2 x 3.2 x 3.7 cm. It is an aggressive tumor that has exerted enough pressure to push his entire brain off center. They won’t know what kind of tumor it is until they get in there and get it out and send a biopsy to Mayo. The results will take about two weeks. I guess that’s a lot of info…. Please pray that the surgery would go smoothly, that his recovery would be easy, pray for the doctors and technicians and nurses…. I will try to post tomorrow after his surgery to let you all know how things go. It’s in God’s hands Hugs to you all. ❤️
Arina what an interesting illustration thanks for sharing. I echo the sentiments of many here that struggle with being people pleasers, praying for us all to seek the approval of God over that of men. Ladies, asking for prayer this morning as I feel again attacks on my peace of mind starting from last night continuing today. Thank you so much.
Heidi— (different Heidi haha) i love what you said about changing your mindset about pleasing others and God!! That shift redirects our entire attitude and goal. So good thank you!
Amen amen amen. I echo your prayers and thoughts She’s. I am not a people pleaser at all but I sure am prideful. Lord you know me, you have seen my heart, bring clarity of your will & give me your strength to lay myself down & have it all be about you. Thank you for everything you have so lavishly blessed me with. I love you Lord, it’s all about you! I don’t have to think of myself because you don’t forget your children, you take care of me without me having to Insist my way. Thank you Lord for your deliverance and your provisions. Amen.
I am guilty of seeking approval of men vs God. SaraJoy your comment stuck out to me, because I do this too. I hold back from fully worshiping, because of the judgement of others. I need to let go of this and fully worship God, as I am meant to do.
“The Pharisees were misguided by their unwillingness to change”- wow!!! That really hit home for me today. How often does my own unwillingness to change get in the way of me accessing all God has to give!!!! Lord help me to “go with Your flow” help me to focus on you alone so that I may please you ! Happy Monday Sisters!!!
I relate! Praying this with you
Woof this hit hard today. My job is based around peoples approval of me and my work. If they don’t like me, they don’t book with me. And it is so hard to shut that part of my brain off outside of work. I am constantly looking for approval everywhere, Except from the only ONE who’s approval matters most. LORD, I beg that you will transform my heart. Switch the narrative in my life. Let it be YOUR approval that I CRAVE above all else.
My desire is for my actions to be focused on Jesus rather then the approval of others. I want to crave the praise of God rather then “looking-good” for others. May I reflect “His Love” so others may see Jesus and not me. May I humble myself even when it hurts. I rather reflect Jesus then myself. It’s been a painful road lately BUT GOD does not change. And that’s my security.
Galatians 1:10 is a verse I have to repeat to myself a lot and realign my focus. Sometimes I get so focused on how I appear to those around me I forget the purpose of why I am there on the first place. “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” I pray the Holy Spirt to continue to redirect me when my focus starts to shift in a direction not worthy of You.
Praying for you Jen!
Apologies if this one also posts multiple times. I have a job interview today for a part time job after seven months of searching. Prayers appreciated for wisdom and clarity and peace in knowing if this position will be a good fit for me and my family. It’s two days a week so I could still be home with my kids (4 years and 18 months) most of the days yet also get back to caring for patients again. Thank you ❤️
HEIDI, ❤️
Sorry for all the repeat post. Have a part time job interview today after seven months of searching! Appreciate prayers for clarity and peace and wisdom. It would be two days a week so I can still be home with my kids (4 years old and 18 months) most of the time yet also get back to seeing patients. Thank you ❤️
Encouraged by all of your words this morning, ladies. Amen Charlie and Churchmouse!
I am on the struggle bus of caring what others think (versus what He does). I loved your comments this morning, ARINA and ANGIE! I will take them with me throughout my days.
So I’m here to add to my own commentary ;) ;) A thought while processing through this idea of letting “proving myself to others” be the motivating factor in many of my decisions-
today I am going to try and replace that thought. As I feel my mind wondering “will this action/etc be attractive to —-?” I will take my thought captive and change it to “Will this be pleasing and purposeful in the eyes of my Creator?” Hopefully that little swap will help retrain my motives!! :)
May I crave the praise of God and not that of men. Amen!
The preacher at a church I visited yesterday was talking about boundaries. He kept saying “access denied” as a way to prevent yourself from being hurt again. Although yes, boundaries are good and neccessary, in today’s reading I am reassured that my convictions about his “message” was a bit off base. I can only speak from my own story’s table of contents, but I believe God is the only one who can have the forever no that sticks. If I would have stopped fighting for my husband and marriage when many thought I should have, I would not see the fruit of his healing now. Seeing the peace of Jesus drive stakes into fear, or watching my husband’s life be transformed, this miracle of a restored marriage and a soul won from Satan is worth all the difficult days (3,650+). Jesus says “follow Me.” I will follow Him until my yes’s end with His final no. Until then, Lord keep teaching me to do what You did. Make me wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove. You kept going into the pain, seeing hearts that need and want you, You keep calling. So will I. Jesus, You say “I did not come to judge but to save.” So let it be with me. Let my life be a sign of light and let Your truth flow through me. Let those who see me, see You, and I pray those will see Who sent You. Your will be done, not mine. Bring healing and hope. Let me say Yes until… Maranatha. Amen.
Lord, please let me see your love as the only thing that I need for satisfaction. Please let me dive into a deeper relationship with you, and please let my life be for your praise, not the praise of others. Thank you for your love. Amen.
Lord, Help me keep one ear tilted to you as the other listens to colleagues and family today. I know you’ll tell me when and what to say.
The more time I spend reading, learning and praying the more in tune I am with your frequency & I can’t thank you enough for giving me a fresh start every day to be more like you and less like the Pharisee in me.
Wow. This is me. Thank you for this. It’s heavy to realize.
Lord, Help me keep one ear tilted to you as the other listens to colleagues and family today. I know you’ll tell me when and what to say.
Lord. Help me keep one ear tilted to you as the other listens to others. I know you’ll tell me when and what to say.
Praying I would care more about what God says of me, rather than what I think others say of me. Thankful that God’s Word is constant no matter what. Prayers appreciated SRT sisters, for my job and my mental health. Everything is good on the outside, and the job I have really is a blessing. I don’t really understand why I feel so discontent and anxious at work. My coworkers are great, mainly it is when I talk with families that I get anxious. Some days I just feel like crying before I go in. Sometimes I don’t know why, but I think it is because I just feel anxious all day. I literally have so many blessings, and yet I’m still feeling like something is wrong. I’m in the word everyday and praying for the Lord to help me, and I feel like I’m doing all the right things…. Praying the Lord would use his Word and hopefully soon therapy to help me. praying for you all, so thankful for SRT!
I struggle with worrying who sees me and what do they think. Even in worship! Honestly, God I’m so sorry that my desire to worship you wholeheartedly is quelled by “is this too much for other people?” You are worthy of my alabaster jar poured out. Free me from these chains.
Father God search my heart for where I am loving other things more than Your Word. In Jesus loving name, Amen
I am so guilty of people pleasing and seeking the approval of men over the approval of God. Lord open my eyes to see where exactly I fall short in this area, cover me with your grace, and guide me to seeking your opinion of me above all others! Amen. Have a blessed week everyone!
Lord, as we start this new week, help us to love abundantly and without conditions. Help us to be compassionate and steady, to see others with your eyes. Nudge me when I judge others. Remind me of how Jesus looked deep into hearts, saw pain, suffering, despair, and hope within each heart. Let me listen more than I speak and give me the right words to say when I do speak.
The thing is this, I’m NOT known as being a people pleaser, and while I certainly don’t seek out confrontation, I’ve never been one who avoids it or is fearful of it. I feel like my personality is kind of “pre-set” to naturally fall in line with desiring only God’s approval and YET? Nope. There is still this THING. This small, quiet, subtle voice in my head that sees QUICKLY when someone is looking down on me or judging something about myself or my family, and just SOMETHING in me reacts with needing to justify myself or change their thoughts. It’s so annoying. And it can grow QUICKLY from a simple “I would love to show them differently” into almost plotting how to create scenarios to prove myself to someone whom, frankly, probably has no real role or position in my life anyway. What a distraction and loss of misdirected energy. And for what- to prove what?? If I’m taking the time to prove anything it should be my life in Christ. It should be the work the Spirit has done in me. I should, as Paul said, be willing and open to BRAG about my shortcomings and “failures” in order to bring full light and attention to the holiness and power of Jesus in me.
Uhg this is so tough. And so unbelievably relevant in my life right now. ;)
I find it interesting that Jesus said heart first, then soul and finally mind. His words put this all into perspective for me.
The reading in Isaiah 53 today was different to me than it ever was before. A light went on when it says, “we are healed by his wounds…and the Lord punished him for the iniquity of us all.” V. 5-6. It was the true sacrifice because even though God knew we would fall short, he still didn’t want us to experience the deepest form of pain and suffering from his condemnation, so instead he punished his own son and in this we only experience love and light that Jesus promised us through the Holy Spirit. And now, as he is seated at the right hand of the father, he continues to fight for us and bring the light into our lives if we, unlike (and like) the Pharisees stay devoted to the word and are willing to believe in something greater than we can see or understand.
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Interesting that heart came first, then soul and finally mind. I think these words by Jesus put it all into perspective ❤️
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Thank you LORD for coming to this earth. Thank you for merciful grace continuously. Thank you for all you gave for us. Forgive me/us when we pridefully hold onto the praise of people. Would you help me to have feathers like a duck that allows the water of the world’s praise to run off my back? Could I rest in the oil of your Spirit that seals me from all that would seek to puff me up? Thank you Lord for loving this world-in-progress. Thank you LORD.
Lord, thank you for releasing my judgements. Thank you for allowing me to see you in even the most unexpected amongst us. Thank you for winking at me everywhere.
Arina I love that illustration thank you for sharing . God bless!
Arina, I love that! I sometimes get so caught up in this worldly life and forget to stop and praise god and his words for this amazing life. It’s so easy to just wake up, put your feet on the floor and just go through the motions of everyday living and forget about god’s faithfulness and love. I will continue submerge myself in his word every day!!
As someone who struggles with “people pleasing” and not liking to disappoint others I struggle hard to seek the glory of God over the glory of men. It’s difficult to be different and the world doesn’t understand why we must be honest and true. It’s very counter culture and it makes us stand out as different. I have to resist the urge to follow the crowd for the sake of not causing myself to be cast out. Lord strengthen me so that I can be ok with them casting me out as long as I have you. Give me the words to say when the world wants me to act out of accordance to your will.
V 43 will be sticking with me
CHURCHMOUSE – so true for me too :/ praying!
RHONDA J – laughed at you pointing out HRT comments :) I have even wondered if the He’s realize there is a comment section ;)
KRISTINA LOPES – praying for your consistent continued Bible reading! Helps if I start early even when I just want to hit the snooze.
KELLY (NEO) thank you for the song, and others who shared about their kids singing about Jesus. Our nieces & nephews do the same and it is so heartwarming.
NADS – praying for the trip with your mom. I took my mother on a short trip that meant a lot to her earlier this year.
ABIGAIL MCKEEVER – praying for your dad
K SWENSON -glad you are feeling better
INDIANA ELAINE, PATRICIA STEWART and ASHLEY H – praying for full recovery for all
LYNNE FROM ALABAMA – praying for Jack’s surgery on 26th
The few Pharisees only believed; they were afraid to confess that Jesus was the Son of God. In Romans 10:9-10, Paul teaches that both are needed for salvation.
NADS & ABIGAIL MCKEEVER will keep your requests lifted up in prayer
Who has believed because of me? To whom have I shared the good news? When I keep silent I am actually seeking the praise of men. When I let the possibility of rejection or ridicule stop me from sharing my faith, I’m attempting to gain their approval. I throw God under the bus for my own comfort. Forgive me, Lord.
Sometimes I get caught up in my own bubble of parenting and work that I don’t seek the praise of God, only if the world. Lord, help me focus on you and your word, not the praise of humans.
Amen, not only learning from the mistakes of the Pharisees but also from their commitment to God. Yesterday in his sermon, the pastor used the example of a strainer. The only way in which a strainer can be full of water is when you put it under water. If you take it out, the water will immediately start streaming out until nothing is left. The only way I can be filled with Jesus is by constantly immersing myself in His Word and presence.