John 12:36-43


John 12:36-43
These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. 37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HEHARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM.” 41 These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. 42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

Why did people not believe in Jesus?  This is the question that this text seeks to answer.  It is an important question, because in many respects, these same reasons continue to hold true today.  We may not have Jesus physically living in our presence today doing miracles and teaching.  However, we have much revelation about Him that continues to testify about His greatness and true identity.  Still, there are multitudes who do not believe.  In general, people remain the same from generation to generation.  The same reasons people did not believe in Jesus during the first century, are likely to remain true today.

FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND: The people saw many miracles, heard many messages and observed a way of life that was completely different from anything they had ever seen or experienced.  All of these signs were to prove to that and all following generations that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah.  Yet, many people were not believing in Him.  They were impressed by the things He did, but they were not ready to recognize who He truly was.  The same thing happens today.  There are many who respect Jesus and are impressed with His legacy, but they are not ready to admit that He is God and Lord of their lives.  It is vital to understand who Jesus truly is as opposed to just being impressed by things He does.  Understanding the identity of Jesus is the priority for every person in every culture.

FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY: Jesus fulfilled every prophecy of the Scripture that was written about Him.  Isaiah had written that the nation of Israel would not believe.  Despite the revelation from the Lord, they would have blind eyes and hard hearts.  The healing of the nation will only come when they believe in Jesus.  Because this did not happen at His first coming, the Gospel has been spreading to all nations.  However, as we approach His second coming, Scripture foresees a massive revival in the nation of Israel that will see them believing, being healed and being used to spread the Gospel as a blessing to all nations.  The prophets spoke of God’s glory that we might be able to see His glory more effectively.  We cannot ignore the truths of God’s Word and the revelation of His Spirit or we run the risk of having blind eyes and hard hearts just like the nation of Israel when Jesus was on earth.

FEAR OF MAN: Many people, including rulers, did believe in Jesus, but they were afraid to confess Him publicly or follow Him because they didn’t want to lose their status in the community.  Belonging to a synagogue was an important symbol for these people.  It was their sense of belonging to the community and provided connections for business and family.  The religious leaders who controlled the synagogues were vehemently opposed to Jesus because He was a threat to their authority and created a problem with the Roman authorities.  The people had a choice to make.  They could either follow their own conscience and be rejected by men; or reject their conscience and be accepted by men.  Jesus warned His followers that it was not possible to serve two masters.  All people today continue with this same level of choice.  We can please God or please men, but it is rare that we can please both.  On paper it seems like an easy choice to make, but it is never an easy thing to be rejected by men.  We don’t feel God’s condemnation nearly as much as we feel man’s rejection.  However, in eternity that will be reversed.  Wise men will live in fear of the Lord and not be controlled by the fear of man.

APPLICATION: Don’t let any of the reasons above keep us from belief or following Jesus.  There are many times when we simply fail to see what God is trying to do in and around us because we are so caught up in our day to day struggles in life.  Cling to the Scriptures as our source of truth that not only inform us about God but provide hope in difficult circumstances.  Make sure that we are not allowing the fear of man or desire to please others keep us from following the Lord.

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