John 12:37-50
Believe in the Light
Daily S.O.A.P. Prompts
S – What verse stands out to me today?
O – What is God revealing about Jesus?
A – How should this change my life today?
P – What is my prayer in response?
Scripture
(John 12:37-50, NKJV) 37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”
41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
Observation
Jesus had done plenty of signs and wonders, yet some did not believe. We are told that rulers even believed but wouldn’t confess Jesus as Lord because of the consequences. They could be thrown out of the synagogue.
The Isaiah passage seems to suggest that some will see, and some will believe, but not all. Isaiah clearly says that God caused or allowed eyes to be blinded and hearts to be hardened. This blinding and hardening will keep those effected from being healed.
The term "believe" is used multiple times again. Jesus tells us that if we believe/see him, we are actually believing/seeing the Father.
Jesus is the light, and if we believe in him, we will not dwell in darkness anymore.
Jesus clarifies that his authority was given by God. He has been commanded to say what he has said. The commands he gives lead to life. Everything he speaks was told to him by the Father.
Application
Signs and wonders point to God but don’t always lead to faith.
Jesus leads us to life and light.
Prayer
Dear Lord, you have brought sight to the blind, raised the dead, and commanded the storms. You have done more than enough for humanity to believe, yet many don’t believe. God, would you help those who are blinded all around me to see? Help me to live and speak in a way that leads to them confessing you as Lord. Bring light where there is darkness. In Jesus' name, amen!
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