John 12: 37 “But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him”
Sometimes it is hard to understand why people do not believe and put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. I have heard people say, “But those were His disciples, they SAW what He did. I have never seen a miracle, or seen Jesus in person. It is difficult to believe in something you have not seen or experienced”.
However, these were His friends; brothers even; associates who had known Him all their lives and they did not believe Him; even though they saw the miracles He performed.
They are what were known as unbelievers; doubting Thomases. Why do you suppose they did not believe after seeing the miracles of Jesus raising people from the dead; healing the lame and the blind and infirm?
So that God would receive the glory for their salvation. After all God gave His only Son so that we may have eternal life. Jesus died a horrible death just so we might be saved.
Verse 38-‘This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”‘
Verse 39-for this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,
verse 40-“He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them”.
In the footnotes in my Bible (ESV) it says in parentheses, (on the need for God first to give people the ability to believe.)
In other words, if Jesus had not blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, they would have believed and been converted and would have thought they themselves had done it; saved themselves. Jesus wanted God to receive the glory. If they had not been spiritually blind, and had their hearts hardened, they could have believed that they had the power to save themselves, and did not need God.
God is a jealous God. He will not share His glory. (See Exodus 20:5)
Prayer: Thank You dear Lord, for saving my soul. I could not save myself. I needed You to save me by Your Holy Spirit. To God be the glory for the things He has done. AMEN
Nell Berry