John 12 - Heart Problems!

37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 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?”[h]
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: 40  “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.”

This passage has at times been problematic for me.  Jesus has performed many signs at this point in the story.  He has healed people, delivered them from demons, turned water into wine, fed the 5,000, and even raised someone from the dead.  But, still there many who would not or cannot believe, especially his own fellow Jews.  This was especially true with the Pharisees who were threatened by Jesus and his following that kept growing. 

Then the writer quotes from Isaiah who predicted that many would not believe in the Messiah. Why? Because there hearts were hardened, and their eyes were blinded so they could turn and come to faith.  What is problematic is it seems as if God has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts.  It doesn't seem like they even have a chance.  

But I believe the correct way to interpret this is that Isaiah was prophesying about how Jesus would be received.  Some would be open and the signs would draw them to belief. But others would reject him, despite the overwhelming evidence he showed. Even some of the Jewish leaders believed as it is says, "Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him."

Unfortunately we experience the same thing today.  Some people seem hardened and closed to the idea of Jesus not matter how he is presented to them. This can happen for a variety of reasons.  They have had a bad experience with the church, or those who claimed to be Christians. They might have had something bad happen to them or someone they loved and they concluded a good God could not have let that happen.  Some are not open and will not turn to him because they would rather live life on their own terms than admit there is a God that they will be accountable to.  

So what can we do for those who know or love whose hearts seem hardened to Jesus?  We can pray for the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts to the Good News.  We pray for others to come into their lives and be a good example of Jesus and the love He has for them.  We can be a positive example of the abudnant life that comes from following Jesus.  We can accept them where they are at, and not try to change them. This means to allow God to draw them to Himself.    

Give thanks that God has opened your heart to the Good News of Jesus. Keep your heart open to God's plan for your life and obedient to the life he has called for you.  It is possible for Christians to develop hardened hearts as well.   











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