seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
John 12: 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?”
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
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.”
and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and I would heal them.”
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
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Here's the link to the commentary I read.
Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him: At this point in Jesus’ ministry there were many who believed on Him secretly. They saw the signs and heard His teaching, yet because they were afraid of what others would think and do against them they would not openly declare (confess) their allegiance to and trust in Jesus.
They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God: Jesus just explained that if anyone served Him, they would receive honor from God (John 12:26). Yet there were many who loved the honor that comes from other men more than the praise that comes from God.
Then Jesus cried out and said: These are the last words in John’s gospel from Jesus to the public. In this last speech to the multitude, Jesus emphasized the themes of all His previous preaching in John. It included a reminder of His teaching, a challenge to decide, a warning to those who decided against Him and a promise to those who decided for Him.
He who sees Me sees Him who sent Me: Jesus emphasized His unity with God the Father. To believe in Jesus was to put faith in Him who sent Jesus, even more than it was to put faith in Jesus Himself.
I did not come to judge the world but to save the world: The incarnation wasn’t necessary if Jesus came only to judge. He didn’t need to add humanity to His deity to do that, but He did need to do it to rescue humanity. Yet, the word that I have spoken will judge Him — there are inescapable consequences for rejecting Jesus.
I have not spoken on My own authority: Jesus stressed His own submission to God the Father. His authority was connected to His submission to God the Father.
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Jesus is in Jerusalem. He just rode into town on a donkey. The people who knew He was the one who brought Lazarus back from the tomb [4 days stinky] were laying palm branches under the hooves of the little donkey.
The Israelites were getting ready to celebrate the Passover. The Passover happened centuries before Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on that donkey. The Passover was to celebrate the Angel of Death moving over Egypt causing Pharaoh to allow Moses to take the Israelites, families, slaves and livestock out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.
Ever since Jesus ran the vendors and the money changers out of the Temple, the Pharisees and the Sadducees had been hunting Jesus. They didn't want to worship the Son of God. They wanted to murder Him. He was dividing the people. He was gathering huge crowds. He was making Rome antsy. He was making life miserable for the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
So, Jesus, and Thomas the Apostle were in hiding until this entrance into Jerusalem. Thomas, yep, Doubting Thomas was in hiding because Thomas looked just like Jesus and he didn't want anyone to think he was Jesus and take him away! Thomas didn't want to be arrested based on his looks!
After Jesus told Lazarus to come out of the tomb, and Lazarus actually did come out of the tomb, the people were divided.
There were Pharisees and Sadducees who actually Believed. They couldn't say they believed. If they did, they would have been run out of the Temple. Who would run the asylum if just the unbelieving crazies were in charge. So, they kept their heads down and didn't confess.
There were some who wouldn't believe. They figured the dead should stay dead. What would happen if all the dead people just walked out of the tombs. There would be a zombie apocalypse! No one brings the dead back. This man, Jesus, according to them, was one heck of a great magician. Lazarus just had to be in on the hoax. Jesus was either a demon or Satan himself and Jesus had to go, according to them.
And there were more who Believed. They had been taught about the Messiah. They knew the Messiah was coming. They didn't know when... but they knew the Messiah was coming and He would save them from a life of tyranny and fakery. Anyone who could bring a man back from the tomb [4 days stinky] had to be the Messiah! They Believed.
The people were divided. They judged Him. They either thought Jesus was the Messiah, or Jesus was a pig who hypnotized the multitude into believing anything He muttered.
Besides, why would God send His Messiah and not tell the Pharisees or the Sadducees He was coming? That's what the Pharisees and the Sadducees and their supporters thought. It didn't make sense. Everything was normal. Sure, they were conquered, living under Rome's rules, but they were living a normal life. Why would God choose now???
Jesus told the people; He wasn't there to judge. That would be done on the last day.
Remember that apple that Eve gave Adam? It was poison. Anyone who ate that apple would die. That apple was so potent that anyone who had Adam and Eve's DNA running in their veins was doomed to death. Jesus was here to take that poison away. Once that was done, then humans could, once again, live forever.
Now, if everyone has the DNA of Adam and Eve running through them, and everyone lived forever, how would they all fit on earth?
Don't worry.... not everyone will believe. There will be nose thumbing piglets until the last day. Then everyone will be judged and there will be plenty of room!
