December 28, 2022

John 12:37-43 (HCSB)
Isaiah’s Prophecies Fulfilled 37 Even though He had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him. 38 But this was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said: Lord, who has believed our message? And who has the arm of the Lord been revealed to?  39 This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said: 40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, and be converted, and I would heal them.  41 Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke about Him. 42 Nevertheless, many did believe in Him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, so they would not be banned from the synagogue. 43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Scarlett Nokes
Seek the Praise of God.
In today’s passage we see more of the prophecies from Isaiah fulfilled. Even though Jesus had performed numerous miracles, people did not believe in Him. It sort of falls into the category of the more things change, the more they stay the same. God continues to work miracles, big and small, every day yet people still reject him. It is easy to get discouraged, but God’s call on us and mandate is simple. We are to be faithful witnesses for Him. We are responsible for reaching out to others, but we aren’t responsible for the decisions they do or do not make. John talks about two groups – those who reject Him and end up with hardened hearts and those who are more concerned about the praise of men than the praise of God. Then and now, the “praise of man” is so short lived. There is simply no comparison between God’s eternal acceptance and the fleeting approval of a broken word.