There were some individuals in John 12 who believed in Jesus. Not everyone in Jesus’ day actually believed in Him, so these people were already in an elite group. However, note carefully what Scripture reveals about them: “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in 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” (12:42-43).
Why did these “believers” not take their “belief” any further than a mental assent? “They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” They considered their options, and it was more important to these individuals to be accepted by their peers than it was to be accepted by God.
That is a scary position in which to place oneself, but do we ever make the same choice? Whenever we give in to peer pressure, whenever we are ashamed to stand up for Jesus, we are making a choice to love the praise of men more than the praise of God. May God help us to be stronger and to crave His praise!