HONOR AND THE LORD

JOHN 5:23 & 44 NKJ 
23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 
44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? 

Jesus says two important things about honor in this chapter five.   

Jesus makes another statement that shows that Christianity is very exclusive. For years people have tried to soft-pedal the concept of God. They say things such as we all worship the same God. Some would have you believe that you need to find your own path to God, indicating that there are many paths.   

While I can respect another individual, I cannot accept their many paths to God belief. The key reason I do not accept that concept is because Jesus Himself did not believe that. Verse 23 is very clear. If you do not honor Jesus, you do not honor the Father who sent Him. Jesus and the Father are connected. Later, John would record Jesus saying that no one comes to God except through Him. (John 14:6) So, Jesus is not an option. If we want to have a relationship with God, it will require a relationship with His Son.   

Later in verse 44, Jesus brings up the subject of honor again. Now He references people who honor one another and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God. Jesus was directly addressing the religious leaders of that day. They were big on honoring each other and pretty much ignoring the important commandments of God. Jesus had a running rebuke for these so-called leaders and their poison influence.   

Jesus was big on honor. Honoring God and the Son He sent. Honoring God's words and ways before manmade rules. Of course, this did not endear Him to the Jewish leaders. In fact, it made them mad enough to kill. 

APPLICATION: 

I have sometimes been wearied by pastor's conferences. Too often, too much honor was being heaped on people, and not much said about the One who deserves the most honor. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate my fellow pastors and the jobs they do. But when it comes to honor, we all take a back seat to Jesus. He is the star; the rest of us are supporting cast. And as we read Wednesday, He must increase, and we must decrease.   

Make sure we give honor to Him. And that we look to receive honor from God first, not others. God has no secret agenda or motive. If we honor Him, He will honor us. And that counts for a lot.   

PRAYER: 

Thank You, Father, for sending Jesus Your Son. Please show me how I can better honor Him and honor You.