I am not Alone

Jesus said that twice in John's Gospel: "I am not alone". It is one of the many paradoxical statements in the fourth Gospel. Jesus as usual is at his ironical self. He knows how lonely he is but asserts he is not alone. Speaking God's Word and seeking God's glory is a lonely job. There is no love lost for many hearers as many more often than not reject the Word of God and the glory that is God's alone.
Jesus accuses his opponents of seeking one's own glory or seeking glory from one another instead of focusing on the glory of God. Only he who seeks God's glory is true and there is no unrighteousness in him. As he seeks to do God's will and do God's work, often he is left alone for no man will glorify another whose sole aim is glorying God and not bothered by human appearances. How often we crave the praise of men rather than the praise of God. God knows our secrets, Jesus in John's Gospel makes it clear for he knows what is in man and need not men's testimony. So Jesus is left all alone doing God's bidding. At one time he told his closest disciples after many disciples had withdrawn from him, " Are you also going away?". Jesus's question is not out of pity or necessity of companionship but a declared state that he is prepared to be left all alone if none wants the words that he brings in the name of God. I come in my Father's name but you do not receive me, others come in their own name and they are celebrated and applauded. How often a preacher is measured by his reputation so called rather than the Word of God that he brings. Too many Christians and churches still glorify men which belongs to God alone. "You don't have the love of God in you because you seek glory from one another" Loving God means we glorify Him despite what other people may think or say about us. "I am not alone" is ultimately true of Jesus for only he who seeks God's glory has the Father as his companion. And he is not alone for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is with him always.