THE PRAISE OF MEN

"Your approval or disapproval
means nothing to me.”
John 5:41
(New Living Translation)

According to Wikipedia, in the United States, presidential job approval ratings were introduced by George Gallup in the late 1930s to gauge public support for the president during his presidency. An approval rating is a percentage determined by a polling which indicates the percentage of respondents to an opinion poll who approve of a particular person or program. Most often an approval rating is given to a political figure based on responses to a poll in which a sample of people are asked whether they approve or disapprove of that particular political figure.
Jesus Christ was the most controversial figure of his time. There were various opinions concerning him. He had followers who knew he was the Messiah. Others thought he was just a good teacher or a prophet. But, there was another entire group who thought he was a glutton and a drunkard. Regarding his ‘policies’, there again was mixed emotions. His approval rating plummeted when he said, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:35). Many walked away and followed him no more. Peter stayed the course and said, “to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). At times he had a high approval rating and the people cried out to him “Hosanna, blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.” But, he did not meet their expectations as their ‘earthly king’, so then they said “Crucify Him!”
How was Jesus able to endure such constant ridicule and criticism? He had a single eye and was confident in the honor he received from His heavenly father. He was not interested in the Gallup poll of His day. It is interesting to note that not only was Jesus disinterested in the criticism of the people, but also their praise and good opinion of him. He knew how fickle and vacillating people can be. The MESSAGE Bible translates Jesus’ words in John 5:34 as, “my purpose is not to get your vote, and not to appeal to mere human testimony. I'm speaking to you this way so that you will be saved.” Again in John 8:54, Jesus says, “it is my Father that honoureth me.”
The Christian life is not about getting the public opinion in your favor. Ultimately, it is about obeying God and hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:23). The praise of men is a not what counts, it is God’s vote that is paramount. Make the choice to be at peace with knowing that God is pleased and has accepted you in the family of God.