Glory Suppressed
Sometimes we don't want to let people know what we believe.
While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said, "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them." Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him. Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God. - John 12:36b-43
John tells us that there were people who believed in Jesus but didn't want to reveal that to anyone for fear they would be put out of the synagogue.
That would have been a disgrace among those who saw themselves as truly righteous.
So, they have a dilemma.
Do they stay among those who value what is not true and remain in their respect, or do they break away and declare what they now know to be true?
John is ready to write them off as wanting human glory, but what if they felt they could be more effective in swaying public opinion from within than from outside the synagogue?
Nicodemus is an example of one who chose to stay inside and share his thoughts, so maybe that is a strategy for some.
Stay among those whose thinking you feel is off and find ways to open their eyes to what you have discovered to be true.
That could be risky and difficult, especially if they are found out, but it could be why Christianity became so popular so quickly.
Given the right circumstances, the prevailing wisdom can suddenly be overturned.
So, have faith, all who feel suppressed.
The day will come.
More to come...