Note 21 at Jn. 5:43: This is reference to the fact that Jesus came in the power and authority of His Father to point men to the Father God. Jesus existed before His advent on this earth in the form of God and was equal with God (Phil. 2:6- 8--see note 2 at Mk. 1:10, p. 35) and yet, He humbled Himself and became a servant while here on earth.

He did not come to promote Himself but to give Himself as the way unto the Father (Jn. 14:6) in the same way that the Holy Spirit does not exalt Himself but points all men unto Jesus (Jn. 15:26; 16:13-14). Jesus came meek and lowly (Mt. 11:29; 21:4-5), totally submitted unto and seeking only to please the Father (Jn. 5:30; Jn. 4:34; 6:38).

This is radically different from the way so called "great men" present themselves. The Roman Caesar of Jesus' day proclaimed that he was God and demanded worship. Lesser leaders ruled by exalting themselves over the people they governed, but Jesus showed us that "whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mt. 20:26-28).

Jesus is simply stating that the thinking of these Jews is backwards. The truly great leaders are servants. But those chiding Jesus are more impressed with all the pomp and circumstance associated with those who come in their own name (seeking their own glory). Because of this, the anti- Christ, who will exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped and will proclaim himself as God (2 Th. 2:3-4), will be accepted by the world.