Seven. Seven in one day. That’s how many pieces of campaign paraphernalia were in my mailbox today. A presidential election is upon us and with it: a plethora of TV ads, text messages, yard signs, and a lot of campaign mailers as candidates make their final push to communicate their ideas and positions on issues to the voters. According to the Federal Trade Commission, you can decide what types of direct mail you would like to receive from marketers by registering with the Direct Marketing Association, but sorry, it does not apply when it comes to mail from political organizations. So, the mail continues . . . for now.
In John 12 we find, according to the Gospel of John, the very last words that Jesus spoke publicly. His final push that he was the only means of salvation and the end of his public ministry is drawing near. We’ll camp on the scriptures that precede his plea to the people to believe in him.
John 12:37-43 “Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This 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?” For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: “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. Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. Yet 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; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.”
Still would not believe. Some would hear but not believe. Blind eyes. Hard hearts. Can’t see. Can’t understand. Won’t turn. They love human praise more than praise from God.
Those statements are dizzying.
There is so much unbelief. Even after witnessing the signs and wonders of Jesus, people did not believe.
What caused them to fail to believe when such overwhelming evidence of his identity had been given to them? If you flip the pages back to the Old Testament, you’ll find a reason for why people didn’t believe on Jesus. John gives a reminder of a promise found in Isaiah 6 and not only lets us know that the Scriptures promised that they wouldn’t believe, but that God himself blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they could not believe.
People remain in unbelief because they are unable to receive the truth and unwilling to pay the price of following Jesus. Those who stubbornly rebel against God may find themselves in a state where they cannot believe, as judgment for their earlier refusal to believe.
Proverbs 29:1 “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.”
Where do you stand? Will you acknowledge that you are a sinner and believe and receive the exclusive purpose of Jesus - HE IS THE MESSIAH. He’s not campaigning for your vote; HE WANTS YOUR HEART.
In John 12 we find, according to the Gospel of John, the very last words that Jesus spoke publicly. His final push that he was the only means of salvation and the end of his public ministry is drawing near. We’ll camp on the scriptures that precede his plea to the people to believe in him.
John 12:37-43 “Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This 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?” For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: “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. Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. Yet 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; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.”
Still would not believe. Some would hear but not believe. Blind eyes. Hard hearts. Can’t see. Can’t understand. Won’t turn. They love human praise more than praise from God.
Those statements are dizzying.
There is so much unbelief. Even after witnessing the signs and wonders of Jesus, people did not believe.
What caused them to fail to believe when such overwhelming evidence of his identity had been given to them? If you flip the pages back to the Old Testament, you’ll find a reason for why people didn’t believe on Jesus. John gives a reminder of a promise found in Isaiah 6 and not only lets us know that the Scriptures promised that they wouldn’t believe, but that God himself blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they could not believe.
People remain in unbelief because they are unable to receive the truth and unwilling to pay the price of following Jesus. Those who stubbornly rebel against God may find themselves in a state where they cannot believe, as judgment for their earlier refusal to believe.
Proverbs 29:1 “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.”
Where do you stand? Will you acknowledge that you are a sinner and believe and receive the exclusive purpose of Jesus - HE IS THE MESSIAH. He’s not campaigning for your vote; HE WANTS YOUR HEART.