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?”[a]
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.”[b]
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.”
Personal Reflection and Discussion
- What catches your attention in this passage? What, if anything, do you find disturbing?
- How are calluses formed? How are hearts deadened or hardened (see Eph 4:17:20)?
- Why did some believers fail to profess their faith in Jesus’ time? … today?
- How important is it for all Christians to share their faith (see Mt 4:19; Mt 28:19-20; Mk 5:19; Ro 10:14-17; 2 Cor 5:17-20; 1 Tim 2:3-4; 1 Jn 1:1-4)?
- What does v. 47 say about the purpose of Jesus and His coming (see also Jn 3:16-17; Lk 19:10)? What is it that many, if not most, non-Christians hear from the church?
- React to the statements:
- “God first calls people to trust Him and His love for them,” as demonstrated in the person and work of Jesus (Ro 5:7-8), before He calls them to a change in behavior. A Christian’s change of behavior is meant to flow out of a love/trust relationship with Jesus (Ro 1:5; 1 Jn 5:3-5)
- “Faith comes before obedience and obedience comes as a natural result of faith.”
Prayer
Jesus, throughout John’s Gospel we have been reading about how Your hour has not yet come, now we read that it has come, and then You go on to talk about Your death. I think a majority of people would say that Easter is the most glorious day in the church year, however, in these verses You indicate the most glorious day in the church year is Good Friday. Easter shows us Your power. Not even death can contain You. But Good Friday shows us Your LOVE. We glorify You primarily because of Your love. Both Your love and Your power are important — Good Friday and Easter go hand-in-hand. Without Your power, Your love loses its purpose, but without Your love, Your power would be scary. Thank You, Jesus! We thank and praise You for both Your power and Your love. Help us, help me increasingly to find and express Your glory through loving others as You love me!
Greek Word of the Day
English Word: remain | Transliterated Word: Meno
To stay, abide, continue, dwell, endure. Of a state or condition, of a person remaining in a state or condition.
Family Engagement Activity
It has been said, “It’s a time where we have the greatest excuse to complain that is at the exact same time as our best opportunity to worship.” Identify your family’s greatest achievements and then bring this quote up. Have your family talk about a time when they complained the most and talk about how that could have been a great opportunity for worshipping God. Talk about how your struggles or challenges could positively impact others, whether by seeing an example of endurance or true example of sacrifice. Identify moments in their life where you saw them sacrifice or worship God through endurance and strife. Talk about how Jesus showed his greatest form of love. LASTLY, identify experiences you may go through this week that are times you usually complain and make a plan to transform those times into worship.
OR
Begin dinner time now and always with some form of Highs and Lows, talking about the great things that happened each day and the bad. BUT for the bad, talk about how it’s in the low moments, we can give God the highest praise.
Going Activities To Consider
It has been said, “It’s a time where we have the greatest excuse to complain that is at the exact same time as our best opportunity to worship.” Identify your family’s greatest achievements and then bring this quote up. Next, identify times when you complained the most. Reflect on those times while considering how they could have been great opportunities for worshipping God. Talk to God about your struggles or challenges and how they could positively impact others, whether by seeing an example of endurance or true example of sacrifice. Then, identify moments in your life where you were able to worship God through endurance and strife. Reflect on Jesus showing his greatest form of love. LASTLY, identify experiences you may go through this week that are times you usually complain and make a plan to transform those times into worship.