John 12:42

John 12:42 says, 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.  Many among the chief rulers believed on Him, but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.  That is a really sad commentary, to believe in Jesus, but not confess it to the world.  Some of the religious leaders did believe, but they would not confess Him because of fear of what others might think or do. There are people today who believe that Jesus was Who He said He was but refuse to acknowledge it because of what their peer group might say.  When we truly believe in Jesus as our Savior, nothing will stop us from confessing it to the world.  Verse forty-three adds, For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God, We are told that they did this because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.  If we love anything more than having a relationship with God, we can never really be His servant.  The problem at times is that the world promises us praise, and God calls us to service, so that one day, He will give us His praise.  Verse forty-four continues, He that belieth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me.  I have heard people say that they believe in Jesus, but not in the God of the Old Testament, but the God of the Old Testament sent Jesus as Redeemer, and they are One.  We cannot divide God and decide to accept part of Him and not all.  We need to proclaim our belief in Jesus to the world.  We cannot be His followers and let the world have power over us, whether it be from fear of rejection by our peers or fear of the rulers of the world.