John 5:41

“I do not tolerate flattery from anyone.”  John 5:41 EFP

This statement seems a bit random….  It comes at the end of a series of statements made by Jesus defending his claims to the religious authorities.  He calls on the testimony of John the Baptist and even God himself.  He refers to his miracles as additional evidence of the validity of his claim.  Then this—“I do not accept praise from any person.” 

Is this a proscriptive or descriptive statement?  Is he saying it because it is the way things are with him or because this is the way things ought to be for all?  Praise coming from a person is fickle.  Flattery is nothing more than a manipulative tool used by people to gain advantage.  Yet both are shoveled out on a daily basis in most human circles.  Business runs on this fuel.  Politics would not exist without this fodder.  But is it a solid basis for credibility?  There has to be more to my reputation than simply the flowery words of colleagues or parishioners. In truth, most people can be deceived into seeing genuine character where none exists.  Even close family members can be in the dark about secret lives until the veil of exposure is drawn. 

In the end the only valid and infallible witness is from God. The irony of this reality is the fact that this witness will not be heard until all is said and done. The real judge give the final judgment and everything hinges on his verdict.  Nothing is hidden from his eyes.  The good news is that his heart leans toward his children.  Heaven’s eyes see things differently than human eyes.