READ: Jn. 12:37–50: … He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me … I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness …
Many are impressed by the miracles Jesus performs. They see Him as a miracle worker, but they do not believe in Him as the Saviour sent by God. As unthinkable as this may seem, Scripture foretold it in Isa. 53:1 (v.38).
But how is it that even after witnessing miracles they do not acknowledge Him as God and Messiah? Isaiah also prophesied this when he saw the glory of God (Isa. 6). God hardens their hearts because they refused to believe. It is God’s judgment over their stubbornness that they do not accept Jesus as their only Redeemer, even after the miracle of raising Lazarus.
They heard Jesus refer to the Scriptures, they saw His many signs, yet they do not believe in Him as Saviour. When they soon cry, “Crucify Him, crucify Him,” that will be God’s judgment on them.
Yet among the leaders there are many who do believe in Him but do not dare to confess Him (cf. Acts 6:7). They fear the Pharisees, the enemies of Jesus, afraid of being cast out of the synagogue (cf. 9:22). They do not stand up for the truth but follow the majority, as often happens.
They receive no praise; John says they loved the praise of men, flattery and approval from fellow council members, more than the praise of God. Jesus had already confronted this in Jn. 5:44: “How can you believe, who receive honour from one another, and do not seek the honour that comes from the only God?”
They do not see Him as the One sent by God. They do not love Him, and therefore they do not love God. By rejecting Him as the Light of the world, they remain in darkness.
They will one day be judged by the word He spoke, because His word is God’s own Word.
What in our world belongs to “darkness”?
Sing: Ps. 36:3