THE STORY OF JESUS: John 12:37-43
“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts.” (John 12:40)
This is a quote from Isaiah 6:10, when Isaiah was sent on a mission.
Isaiah must tell Israel that God will ‘harden’ them in their stubbornness.
Since they refuse to repent and believe, God let’s them have their own way.
Jesus has this same mission, since He’s dealing with the same stubbornness.
Parents may warn a scowling child, ‘your face might freeze that way’.
This verse warns those who resist God, ‘your heart might freeze that way’.
God is not being mean, God gives people what they adamantly want and choose.
But what of those who want to believe but fear what others say (vv.42-43)?
This is hard place to be, at odds with both Jesus and those you fear.
You are happy where you are, but afraid of where you want to be.
It’s not for me to judge their faith or criticize their fear.
God is gracious, He continues to reach out to us, to draw us over to Him.
But eventually He takes the hint, and accepts our rejection, and lets us go.
Am I hesitating or refusing God somehow: ‘Be careful, you might freeze that way’.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, show me where I’m holding back and help me cross the line. I don’t want to get stuck where I don’t want to be.
Hardening of hearts.
Remember pharoah?
Insisting upon his own way.
Who’s in charge?
The religious leader didn’t want to give up the praises of the people.
What am I hanging on to?
What is getting in my way of serving Him?
Lord, remove all my idols and help me to grow closer to You
for You are my God and I will praise You every day anew.
And I will ever praise you
Oh, God, you are my God
And I will ever praise you
I will seek you in the morning
And I will learn to walk in your way
And step by step you’ll lead me
And I will follow you all of my days
God, you are my God
And I will ever praise you
Let me hear you, lift it up God,
You are my God
And I will ever praise you
That’s right I will seek you in the morning
And I will learn to walk in your ways
And step by step you’ll lead me
And I will follow you all of my days
I will follow
I will follow you all of my days
Hallelujah We honor you Lord,
Jesus And forever we will sing Hallelujah
For you alone are worthy
And forever we will sing Hallelujah,
Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah
We honor you, Lord,
Jesus We honor you,
Lord, Jesus We lift your on high
Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah,
Hallelujah Hallelujah
We honor you Lord, Jesus
And forever we will sing Hallelujah
For you alone are worthy
And forever we will sing Hallelujah,
Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah