10 However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, "Where is that man?"
12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man."
Others replied, "No, he deceives the people." 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.
To be sure, Jesus has always been and remains the subject for much debate and controversy. In our verses for today there was widespread murmuring among the crowds regarding their varied opinions of our Lord Jesus albeit all cloaked in secrecy due to fear of the Jewish religious leaders of the day. Some believed Him to be good, benevolent, profitable and useful while others were deluded, thinking Him to be a deceiver leading people astray - their words being scornful and contemptible. Certainly in our day differences and divisions still occur regarding our Savior – some loving Christ while others openly hating Him. We should not be surprised at this as it is simply a modern manifestation of an age old disease – the insidious sin of unbelief. Jesus tells us there will always be division regarding Him even among familial ties:
51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." Luke 12:51-53 (NIV)
Jesus also prepares His disciples with the following Truth:
18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. John 15:18-21 (NIV)
Sadly, the gospel will not meet with a universal welcome. Indeed, multitudes will not embrace Truth – not only will they not receive it but they will also openly oppose it and be hostile to it. Yet there will remain in each generation the faithful remnant. Therefore, as long as the world stands there will be those who love and those who hate; those that will believe and those that will believe not. John tells us:
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:11-13 (NIV)
His own home, His own people rejected Him refusing to accept Him as the Revelation sent by the Father confirming the prophet Isaiah’s words:
1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? Isaiah 53:1 (NIV)
Lastly, we see in our verses a clear demonstration of the power of the fear of “they”. Afraid to speak for fear of what will “they” think or what will “they” do or what will “they” say. We all too often care inordinately regarding man’s opinion and acceptance rather than God’s opinion and acceptance. Jesus did not let man’s opinion sway Him yet unfortunately it is all too often a stumbling stone for us. We must beware of this in our own lives – are we seeking the praises of men or of God? We should not allow man’s criticism or acceptance or opinions to manipulate and control our words and actions. We do not ultimately answer to man but to God therefore we should seek His praise and approval. This is nothing new. Scripture tells us:
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God. John 12:42-43 (NIV)
“To inoculate me from the praise of man, God baptized me into the criticism of man, until I died to the control of man.” Francis Frangipane
“We have the truth, and we need not be afraid to say so.” John Charles Ryle