Jesus told the Jewish leaders that they had no excuse because there were four witnesses to Jesus besides what He told them about Himself. John the Baptist, His miracles, the Father, and the Scripture all testified to Him. He made it clear that God had sent Him to provide eternal life, and that He would also preside over judgment. He said that all this was the Father’s will. He told the Pharisees that they couldn’t believe because they were too busy seeking glory from each other to seek the glory that comes only from God. The leaders were concerned about preserving their authority and their place in the earthly power structure, which provides only honor and glory from men, not from God.
We often end up working for the approval and honor of other people, rather than God. Sometimes, we even do good things in order to obtain the approval of other people. For instance, you might go to church to satisfy a spouse or parent. We should be seeking the glory that comes from God by seeking to please Him. His approval, and the glory that comes from Him, is all that will matter in eternity.
What are you doing to seek glory from other people? And what are you doing to seek the glory that comes from the only God? How will you change that mixture?