Episode 86 - "Do you believe what Jesus' miracles say about him?" John 12:36-43

36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” 

When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

John 12:39   Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

John 12:40   “He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their heart,

lest they see with their eyes,

and understand with their heart, and turn,

and I would heal them.”

John 12:41   Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

I begin this episode with verse 36 which has Jesus speaking, “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John began this letter by saying that Jesus was the true light coming into the world. It’s important to recognize this invitation Jesus is giving to these people who are expressing their doubt even after all these things he has done; even after raising a dead man back to life.

Now in verse 37, we read that Jesus “departed and hid himself from them.” What happens when light is hidden? It’s dark. John seems to emphasize how tragically illogical their response in not believing him even though Jesus had “done so many signs before them.” (v. 37)

John draws the connection of this reality to the prophet Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 53:1. Isaiah was allowed to see the glory of God and told to tell it to others. But, God warned him that they would not believe. What happened then happens again when Jesus comes into the world and reveals glimpses of his glory through his signs. 

At this point, John’s teaching gets uncomfortable because he says in verse 39, “Therefore, they could not believe.” He continues by quoting Isaiah 6:10 speaking of God, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart . . . “ (v. 40) We might be inclined to slam on the breaks and say, “Wait a minute! Why would God do that?” It sounds like God doesn’t want people to believe. 

The problem is that response goes completely against what we’ve seen through this entire gospel. Even in the introduction, John writes, “He came unto his own. But, his own did not receive him. But, as many as have received him, he gave the right to become God’s children. (John 1:11-12, my paraphrase) So what is going on?

When we look at the context here, Jesus has been working the signs the Father has given him and invited them to believe in him. But, through all the signs and teachings they have not believed him. So, at this point, it may be that God has brought judgment upon them so that they could not believe and repent. But, why would God do that? The answer I believe is in what is about to happen. Their rejection of Jesus will lead them to be a party to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. This was the Father’s will and Jesus knew it. Through his death on the cross many more people would have the opportunity for forgiveness of sin and hope of eternal life through faith in Jesus. 

We cannot fully understand everything God does. But, what we should learn through this whole book and reinforced through this text is that we just respond to the message of Jesus and the cross while we have a chance. When that light shines in our hearts and minds, we should walk in that light and believe in Jesus. Otherwise, if we reject the light, it may become hidden and we will be forever in the darkness in which we were born.

Another question this text brings to us is, “If we believe in Jesus, do we confess him before others, or do we prefer glory from mankind rather than glory from God?”

It seems that our daily prayer needs to seek the Lord’s help in letting the light in our life shine upon others.