THAT’S POLITICS

John 5:41-47

I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.

Religious politics? Sure, and Jesus says it prevents some from accepting Him.

Jesus is not a part of the in-crowd. Isn’t a part of the established religious intelligentsia ensconced in the city of Jerusalem. He’s an outsider from the small, remote village of Nazareth.

And He begins His teaching in areas far from Jerusalem. This is reason enough for the religious leaders not to take Him seriously. In fact, they reject His claims.

If He had come up in their ranks and made a name for Himself, they might have listened to Him. That’s politics and Jesus calls them out on it.

Religious politics is a very dangerous thing. Religion, like anything else, can become very self-serving and self-promoting. But what about God?

How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?

Is this still a problem in religious circles today? Are there enclaves of people that pat each other on the back and promote each other without due regard for what God’s Word reveals?

Jesus is never a part of this and will have no part in it.

I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.

Amazing isn’t it? How does it happen? The self-proclaimed custodians of God’s Word reject the Word of God living in their presence?

That’s Politics!