Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
Fools honor other fools because, as Jesus said, “the world loves its own.” Fools honor other fools because those fools are foolish, and foolishness is the delight of fools. They will cling to their foolishness with a grip like death, no matter what God does to them to try to persuade them to depart from it (Prov. 27:22). The one who honors a fool is himself foolish because giving honor to a fool is like handing him a loaded weapon (Prov. 26:8), and he can do nothing with honor but hurt someone with it, maybe even himself. As much as fools desire the honors they heap upon one another, to receive honor from fools is shameful. In the end, God will reward all fools with nothing but a mountain of disgrace (Prov. 3:35).
Before God called us out of darkness, we all were fools. We delighted in ourselves and our own foolish vanities and rejoiced in evil and congratulated each other for it. A witty fool is admired by fools. A talented fool is admired by fools. An erudite fool is admired by fools. But Jesus told the fools of his day that as long as they sought honor from one another, they would not receive the precious honor that comes from the one and true God (Jn. 5:44).
Jesus said, “I do not accept honor from men” (Jn. 5:41). He was not a fool. And so much was he not a fool that even fools recognized it, and they refused to honor him. It insulted fools that Jesus did not seek their favor or their praise. To fools, Jesus seemed foolish. Fools’ opinion of Jesus was that he was cursed by God (Isa. 53:4). But because he knew what was in man, the Lord had no desire for the honors men give. Listen to these words from John 2:23-25:
23. During the Passover feast, while he was in Jerusalem, many people believed on his name, seeing the miracles that he performed.
24. But as for Jesus, he did not trust himself to them because he knows all men,
25. and he had no need for anyone to testify to him about mankind, for he himself knew what was in man.
What is your hope built upon? Is the future you hope for dependent on men recognizing your talent? Does your hope for promotion rest on men recognizing your abilities? Don’t be foolish. “Promotion comes neither from the east nor the west, nor yet from the south, but God is the judge. He puts one down and sets up another” (Ps. 75:6-7). Be wise. Let God be your confidence and your hope. He sets kings on their thrones, and he promotes the lowest laborers to be supervisors of other laborers. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof.” Trust in Him and let your heart rest.