For the past few weeks, I’ve been studying the book of John chapter 5. In this chapter, I’ve been deeply meditating on Jesus as the Son of God, examining His authority and interactions with the Jewish leaders. Today’s Wisdom Wednesdays’ thought is all about “I See Me….”.

The Jewish leaders lacked genuine love for God, claiming to follow Him while pursuing knowledge and devotion to the Law for personal status and control. Jesus stated in John 5:42, “I know that you do not have the love of God within you.” Their motivations were rooted in self-glorification and man-made rules. We, too, can approach religion without true affection for the Father. When this happens, we should confess our tendency to seek personal gain. We can nurture our love for Jesus through prayer, humility, and worship. True love is demonstrated through selfless obedience and a desire to fulfill God’s will, not through self-centeredness.

“I See Me” in the Jewish leaders one who does not honor God but will honor man. The Jewish leaders failed to honor God because they rejected Jesus, the One sent by God. John 5:43 says, “I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me.” By rejecting Jesus as the Messiah, they dishonored the One who sent Him. Their strict devotion to tradition blinded them to God’s work through Jesus. Likewise, we dishonor God when we resist His will or revelation. To honor God, we must accept Jesus, surrender to His guidance, and be open to His ways, even when they challenge our traditions.

“I See Me” in the Jewish leaders because of their lack of desire for God. They sought human approval over God’s, as John 5:44 says, “How can you believe when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” Their focus on social status showed a lack of true relationship with Him. We’ve all sought approval at times, so we should examine our motivations: are we acting for others or to please God? Cultivating a genuine desire for Him requires humility and focusing on Him.

Exploring God’s Word helps us identify practical steps to cultivate a sincere love for Him through a genuine relationship and obedience. By submitting to Jesus and examining our desires with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can prioritize God’s will above everything.