John 12:37–50
Read the passage.
As Jesus hides Himself away from the crowds, John makes an aside to explain that the unbelief of the people is a fulfillment of prophecies in Isaiah. First, he cites the beginning of the “Suffering Servant” passage in Isaiah 53, which indicates that so many people don’t believe or comprehend that the fulfillment of that passage is happening before their eyes. Second, he cites from Isaiah 6, after Isaiah sees the glory of God and recognizes his own sin and his people’s sin. The Lord commissioned Isaiah to preach to the people, but also declares a judgement that they will not hear and believe because of their disobedience. Even though these prophecies were given without qualification, John reveals that these were not absolute judgements over the whole nation, because “many even of the authorities believed in Him”. (v. 42) Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea would be the most famous examples, though it is heartening to know there could be more who were convinced by Jesus’s teaching. However, verse 43 should be a warning to us not to fall into the same trap of being more concerned with our own reputation and influence than doing what God wants us to do.
Jesus had previously hidden Himself away in verse 36, but now He is speaking with a loud voice to anyone who can hear Him. Without any other details, we just know this happened sometime during the week leading up to Passover, and the content of Jesus’s words are more important than when and to whom He said them. Jesus stresses that His words are not human in origin, but actually divine in their authority and power. When people hear Him speak, they are not listening to a mere human teacher, but to the Word of God. When they see Him, they should look beyond the familiar human body and see the Light of the World. When they reject Him, they are rejecting God and will receive judgement from the words they rejected. However, to those who accept His words, they will receive eternal life, as that is the impetus behind the Father sending the Son into the world.
Grant to us the belief that saves, that we may glorify You.