Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God we’re not with him.

We see here one of the keys to Jesus’ success in God’s eyes on earth: He did not entrust himself to those who praised him. Recognition from the crowd was not needed or desired. How many of us (me included) seek to find recognition from the people around us? And when everything is going great, we can get lost in the moment and think we are amazing and take stock of ourselves? This is a trap. I have had this happen many times. But God is teaching me to let the glory reside in his hands, give him the credit, and look only to him for my worth, my validation, and my recognition. This way, we are not surprised later when some of those who have praised and honored us, betray us. Is this being jaded? No. Jesus still loved all in the crowd; he did not turn his back on them. He was being true to his Father and focusing on his will and his ways. And we should do the same. He also was paying attention though, not too caught up in his own glory to miss an opportunity to invest in one close to believing. And we see this reward in chapter 3 — Nicodemus. He came to Jesus under cover of night. He was hungry for the truth, but potentially worried about what others would think of him. He saw Jesus as sent by God and honored him by calling him “Rabbi”. Though the Pharisees in general were opposed to Jesus, as he threatened their power and income; Nicodemus was curious. Later we find that he publicly honored Jesus, along with Joseph of Arimathea, after Jesus’ death. In John 19:39, Nicodemus brought seventy five pounds of myrrh and aloes to bury Jesus with. 

So Nicodemus’ curiosity and honesty about Jesus being God overcame his desire for popularity and accolades from those in power. He was transformed from one who was merely curious … to one who believed. This is our goal as Christ followers. Amidst the crowd, we are to look for those who are curious and seek the truth, and then invest in them. We are not to seek popularity or accolades. If we do we will be disappointed. For man will follow the ways of man in this sinful world. But there will be some who see the light of Jesus Christ and seek after him. We must help them become believers. We must nurture their faith. So today, let us live with a heavenly purpose, not seeking praise from man, but serving God first and foremost! Praise His Almighty Name!