John 12, Part 5

Scripture: John 12:37-43

Observation: The response to Jesus by God's people is a sad one. "Although He had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him." Verse 37 shows how blinded the people were, especially those who knew Scripture so well and should have believed. They professed faith in Moses, yet Moses himself condemned them (see Deut. 29:3-4). Of course, this rejection is a fulfillment of Scripture - chapter 53 of Isaiah speaks of those who could not see or understand, those who rejected God's mercy because He hardened their hearts. Why would God do this? Because He can see the hearts of men, and He saw their pride and their rejection of what they assumed couldn't be what God meant as the Messiah. Still, many did believe, even within the elite leaders (v.42). Yet they would not confess their faith for fear of the Pharisees, and because they didn't want to be kicked out of the synagogue. The problem was in their hearts - they loved men's praise more than God's glory (v.43).

Application: This passage grieves my heart. The Jews had Jesus among them, doing miraculous things, yet He was rejected. Worse yet, those who believed were too scared to admit it. Yet how many times don't we do the same thing? We hear someone speaking against Christians and Christianity and we don't speak up because we don't want confrontation. We don't give up things, behaviors that don't line up with God's word because we don't want to appear "different". The truth is, we are different, and the Gospel is confrontational. If we believe, we need to say it from the rooftops. We need to proclaim it to the world. Christ is risen - He is our Savior - And He is coming back! I am not ashamed!

Prayer: Father, the greatest gift we have received is forgiveness of sin through the blood of Jesus. There is shame in sin but not in redemption. Don't allow me to keep silent. Give me instead a spirit of courage to speak truth at all times. Thank You for Jesus! I praise Your Holy Name! May You always be praised and worshipped in spirit and in truth. In Christ Jesus I pray, Amen.