Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him, but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12:42-43
We need to be careful not to judge these chief rulers too harshly, because there was more to being excommunicated from the synagogue than just embarrassment or social stigma. These men were members of the Great Sanhedrin, 71 of the nation’s top religious scholars, men who had proved their ability and knowledge, and were recognized as leaders. These men wielded tremendous influence among the people. One of their responsibilities was to judge, excommunicate, and put to death any false prophet or any heretic member of the Sanhedrin. So these men who were impressed with Jesus were thinking not only of their own prestige but also of their own necks. Confessing Jesus as Christ could well cost them their lives.
We know at least one member of the Sanhedrin who eventually confessed Christ. This same Gospel tells us that Nicodemus assisted Joseph of Arimathaea in taking the body of Jesus from the cross and burying Him in Joseph’s garden tomb. Tradition also tells us that Nicodemus also helped with the burial of Stephen, the first martyr. But were there not others who believed? Our text says there were. But they did not confess. What a loss they have experienced!
These men came to a realization that Jesus was who He claimed to be: the Son of God. They understood that He was the fulfilment of prophecy, the Messiah for whom Israel panted, the Heir to the throne of His father David. But they were rulers, judges, lawyers, the cream of Israel’s society. To confess Christ would have been to take their places among the fishermen and tax collectors who were Jesus’ disciples. The stoop was too low for them to make, the risk too high, so they held their peace. The sad thing is, when the Great Sanhedrin voted to send Jesus to Pilate for crucifixion, these men who knew better, who knew Who Jesus truly was, raised their voices against Him.
We don’t know if any of these men, apart from Nicodemus, were saved. But those of us who are saved can look into our own little experience and remember times when we too failed to confess Christ. When His name was blasphemed, we failed to object. When His people were maligned, we were silent, when opportunity to witness for Him arose, we bit our tongues and passed on.
What loss are we willing to suffer for failing to confess Christ? -Jim MacIntosh