“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?”[h] 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.”[i] 41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.” John 12.37-41
What came first? The chicken or the egg? What came first, God blinding the people or the heartened hearts which got them there?
Even after Jesus had performed all the incredible signs and miracles….even after he had done this in his presence….even after they had seen the healings, the resurrection of Lazarus, the feeding of the five thousand…even after they still would not believe.
Some would argue they might have believed had God open their eyes, but as it says in Isaiah, he blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts. I think God gave them that which they were already inclined to do. Those who did not believe (specially the Jews in this story) chose to have hardened hearts, rebellious spirits and unrepentant natures. And so God gave them up to their evil desires.
How amazing that this was prophesied about by the Prophet Isaiah, “because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.”
I ask you, if this happened to the Jews, which God allowed, is it still happening today? What if God is blinding the eyes of religious and pagans alike today? What if those who do not believe his Word, run from Spirit, and make partnerships with the world and the culture are blinded by God? What if their unbelief leads them to blind faith?
The good news tells us there is repentance and forgiveness of sins. Any who do not believe have the ability to repent, turn from their evil ways and learn the truth of God’s word. Any who oppose the truth of Scripture can confess, believe and trust Jesus at his word.
What happened once in Scripture can and might happen again. Why not place your faith in God’s eternal Word and trust your life to his Son? Why not repent of the entanglement of sin and disobedience and run toward the light of his love?
“O Lord God, you are good. The battle for the souls of all people rages especially today. The evil one has been given reign in this world. People are led astray by their evil and greedy desires. We must run from sin and toward the Savior. We must find hope in the one who saves us from our sins and gives us everlasting life. Come, Lord Jesus, have your way with me! Take control of my thoughts, mind and heart so I might serve you best. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen