Key Thought

Wow! This is a tough Scripture. These people didn't believe because they couldn't believe. Of course, this statement needs to be put together with other passages in John where we learn that they wouldn't believe and that if people would genuinely seek God they could come to believe. What is the point? Some religious people can't and won't believe it even when God's truth is spoken and shown. One reason is that their hearts are hardened to the truth. When we are sharing Christ with others, some just won't believe. We are never quite sure why they don't, but God knows. Let's always ask the Father to open the door to their hearts through circumstances in their life that will make them more readily available to receive God's message in Jesus.

Today's Prayer

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O gracious and sovereign God, I do not understand all the ways you work in the lives and upon the hearts of your human children. So I pray for those I know that are not near to you. I pray for those who have rejected you. Please work in their lives to give your people a chance to share your grace with them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus did all these many miracles. The people saw these things, but they still did not believe in him. This was to make clear the full meaning of what Isaiah the prophet said: "Lord, who believed the things we told them? Who has seen the Lord's power?" This is why the people could not believe. Because Isaiah also said, "God made the people blind. God closed their minds. God did this so that they will not see with their eyes and understand with their minds. God did this so that they would not turn and be healed." Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory. So Isaiah spoke about him. But many people believed in Jesus. Even many of the Jewish leaders believed in Jesus. But they were afraid of the Pharisees. So they did not say openly that they believed. They were afraid that they would be put out of the synagogue. These men loved praise from people more than praise from God. Then Jesus said loudly, "The person that believes in me is really believing in the One (God) who sent me. The person that sees me is really seeing the One who sent me. I am light, and I came into this world. I came so that every person that believes in me would not stay in darkness. "I did not come into the world to judge people. I came to save the people in the world. So I am not the one that judges the people who hear my teaching but don't obey. There is a judge for the person that refuses to believe in me and does not accept what I say. The message I have taught will judge that person on the last day. Why? Because the things I taught were not from myself. The Father (God) who sent me told me what to say and what to teach. And I know that eternal life comes from what the Father commands. So the things I say are what the Father told me to say."

— John 12:37-50 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.