“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."
They believed in Jesus, but wouldn't confess him because they didn't want to be kicked out of church! I thought they were at church to seek the Lord, and now when they had found Him, they didn't confess Him because they'd rather have church than Jesus? That is really awful! I read on, and it explained why,
“They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
Here is Jesus, God manifested as a man, and they are more concerned with what the church leaders would think than about what their Creator thought.
Be careful not to be so involved in the outward showing of worshiping God that you miss out on fellowship with Him. Oh! And be careful not to be like the church leaders of that day who kicked all who knew Jesus out of their church!
Jesus is what is important! If a church doesn't have Jesus, why have the church? If following Jesus puts you at odds with “church,” wanting to be accepted by your church leaders should not enter your mind! They won't be the ones standing at the gates of heaven giving approval to those who enter. You'd better be following Jesus if you want to be accepted by Him into heaven.
Be glad if you have a church that doesn't kick Jesus out, but if they do kick Jesus out, you better be one of those who gets kicked out too. If Jesus is on the outside, what better place is there than to be on the outside with Him!
