What Jesus Did! 'Determined Not to Believe' — John 11:45-46

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw [Lazarus brought back to life]. But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
— John 11:45-46 NLT

Key Thought

Some folks just won't believe. It doesn't matter what they see or what others say; they are determined not to believe in Jesus. How do we explain this kind of thing? People have to will to do God's will if they are going to believe! If they play with sin, they open their hearts for Satan to block their believing. Sometimes, more often than we would like to imagine, religion can be a tool of Satan to contribute to unbelief. Something like that happens here. However, we don't give up, because God can use the circumstances in people's lives to open their hearts. We are not sure how many of the skeptics and unbelievers at this stage of Jesus' ministry became believers at Pentecost. [1]

[1] See Acts 2.

Today's Prayer

Holy and almighty God, please use me and the circumstances of the lives of the following people to open their hearts to Jesus: ... I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of John 11:45-46 NLT — Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw [Lazarus brought back to life]. But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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