Jesus and the Jews who Don't Believe (12:37–49)

Jesus and the Jews who Don't Believe (12:37–49)

The key ​word in this section is "believe"; it occurs eight times. John began by speaking about the people's unbelief. They would not believe (John 12:37–38, with a quotation from Isa. 53:1); they could not believe (John 12:39); and they should not believe (John 12:40–41, with a quotation from Isa. 6:9–10).

The nation would not believe, despite all the clear evidence that they laid before themselves. The “arm of the Lord” had been revealed to them in great power, but they shut their eyes to the truth. They heard the message (the "report") and saw the miracles but would not believe.

When a person begins to resist the light, something changes inside him, and he comes to the place where he cannot believe. There is a “judicial blindness” that God permits to fall upon the eyes of those who do not take truth seriously. (This quotation is found in several places in the New Testament. cf. Matt. 13:14–15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; Acts 28:25–27; Rom. 11:8.) It is a serious thing to make light of God’s truth, for a person might easily miss their opportunity for salvation. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near” (Isa. 55:6).

Some disbelieved, and some, though they believed, concealed their faith in Christ (John 12:42–43). Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were initially members of this group, but eventually they openly confessed Christ (John 19:38ff.). The early church contained many Pharisees (Acts 15:5) and even priests (Acts 6:7). It was the same old battle between the glory of God and the praise of men (John 12:25-26). It was a costly thing to be excommunicated (John 9:22), and these “secret believers” wanted to enjoy the benefits of both worlds. Note John 5:44 in this connection.

In John 12:44–50 we have our Lord’s last message before He “hid Himself” from the people.  Faith was again stressed. This message contains a number of the basic themes in John's gospel: God sent the Son; to see the Son is to see the Father; Jesus is the Light of the World. His words are the words of God. Faith in Him brings salvation. To reject Him is to face eternal judgment. Indeed, the very Word He spoke will judge those who have rejected Him and it!

It is an awesome thought that the judgment will confront the unbeliever with every word of Scripture that he has ever read or heard. His judge becomes the very Word, which he rejects! Why?  The written Word points us to the Living Word, Jesus Christ (John 1:14).

Many reject the truth because of the fear of man (John 12:42–43). “The fearful” will be among those who will be in hell (Revelation 21:8). Fear God and go to heaven, rather than fear men and go to hell!

"Judge" is a solemn word, and the word "judge" is repeated four times in the closing words of this message. Jesus did not come to condemn but to save (John 3:18; 8:15). But if the sinner will not trust the Saviour, then the Saviour must be the Judge. In reality the sinner is judging himself, not the Lord!

In the study of these twelve chapters of the gospel of John, you have seen Jesus Christ in His life, His ministry, His miracles, His message, and His desire to save lost sinners.

The evidence is there for you to see. Have you been convicted that Jesus Christ is really the Son of God, the Saviour of the world?

Have you trusted Him and received eternal life? “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.” (John 12:36)