Have you ever had someone put you down? When I was in the 7th grade, my math teacher went on a rampage about how the entire class was going to end up homeless and helpless. What made her come to this conclusion? We had all failed a pop quiz on hyperbolas. Now, this is a laughable memory as I have not used that math once in my entire adult life. However, when I was a kid just trying to do my best, this experience was extremely discouraging.
It really hurts when someone doesn’t believe in you. John 7 is a fascinating part of Jesus’s life. Just as He was starting to grow in popularity in Galilee, He started getting push-back. A crowd calls Him a demon, some preachers try to have Him put in prison, and His own brother mocks him to His face. Sure, it’s understandable that people doubted Him, but He had to hear it from His own brother? That must have been heart-breaking.
People often get critical right when you’re getting close to the pinnacle. I hope you never have a crowd accuse you of being possessed by the Devil while at the same time trying to have you murdered, but you certainly may have to face some judgement. People may spread rumors about you, blame you for something out of your control, call you a disappointment, or even say they don’t believe in you.
Those words certainly sting, but you can rest assured in the promise of God in verse 18: “He who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth.” When you are living for God, you are building your life on the truth, and you are living for Christ alone. If you live for people’s confirmation, you will die by their criticism. You are living for an audience of One, and He is cheering for you.
You cannot make everyone happy— you aren’t pizza.