37Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:
“Lord, who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”h
39For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40“He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and I would heal them.”i
41Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.
42Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
44Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (John 12:37-46)
Thoughts: Believers have a hard time understanding why people refuse to believe. Unbelievers have a hard time understanding why anyone would want to believe. This passage describes why there is skepticism. God opens eyes, and some eyes left unopened are in effect blinded. Others believe, but are afraid to do so publicly lest they lose some of their earthly power or popularity. Jesus was inviting all who heard Him to believe, and to believe that seeing Him means seeing God. That still is hard for some to believe. It is a choice to believe in Jesus or not to do so.
Prayer: Lord, help me to believe you rather than the skeptics. Help m
e to trust in your helpful love than unhelpful skepticism.
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