March 22
Bible Reading: John 12:37-50
John 12:42-43, “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”
Peer pressure is the process whereby members of a peer group exert influence over other members to conform them to certain beliefs and behaviors. Peer pressure is nothing new, though technology has worked to provide new avenues for applying such pressure. A steady stream of goofy and even dangerous ideas and challenges sweep across social media and through so-called “influencers.” Peer pressure demands conformity to such things, but conformity to the world’s way of thinking and living is not a virtuous objective (Romans 12:1-2).
Though Jesus had done so many signs before them, the people, generally speaking, still did not believe in Him (John 12:37). And though there were some, even from the authorities who believed, they were afraid to speak the truth lest they be put out of the synagogue. They were more concerned with pleasing men, than with pleasing God.
“And this is a common disease to this day. There are many who know the truth, who, nevertheless, keep very quiet about it. They do not like to be despised; they cannot endure to seem to be separate from their fellowmen; it is not respectable to be decided for Christ, and to come out from among them, so they love the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
Charles Spurgeon
It should be noted, however, that there are always those more courageous examples who seek God’s approval vs. man’s applause. Nicodemus was one such man. He had previously come to Jesus by night, wondering about Jesus’ miracles (John 3:1-2). On a subsequent occasion, he spoke up for Jesus before his peers (John 7:50-51). Then, after Jesus died, Nicodemus risked it all when he worked to prepare Jesus’ body for burial, at costly expense to himself (John 19:39-40).
While sources outside of the Bible can be unreliable, church tradition claims that Nicodemus lost his position as a Pharisee and the authorities later banished him from Jerusalem. But in standing on the side of truth, resisting peer pressure, he chose the better path and gained a noble legacy.
Living for God’s approval is better than living for man’s applause.
NEVER BE AFRAID
Never be afraid to speak for Jesus,
Think how much a word can do;
Never be afraid to own your Saviour,
He who loves and cares for you.
Chorus:
Never be afraid, never be afraid,
Never, never, never,
Jesus is your loving Saviour,
Therefore never be afraid.
Never be afraid to work for Jesus,
In his vineyard day by day;
Labor with a kind and willing spirit,
He will all your toil repay. [Chorus]
Never be afraid to bear for Jesus,
Keen reproaches when they fall.
Patiently endure your every trial,
Jesus meekly bore them all. [Chorus]
Never be afraid to live for Jesus;
If you on his care depend,
Safely shall you pass through every trial,
He will bring you to the end. [Chorus]
Never be afraid to die for Jesus;
He the life, the truth, the way,
Gently in his arms of love will bear,
To the realms of endless day. [Chorus]
LookingtoJesus 