Thoughts on the Gospel of John (118) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

But although he had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in him, that the word of the prophet Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled which he spoke: "Lord , who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." These things Isaiah said, when he saw his glory and spoke of him.
John 12:37-41.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (118)
In these verses the evangelist gives an interim report on the situation in Israel. Jesus had done many signs, but they refused to believe in Him. Their eyes were blinded.

They had first rejected Isaiah's announcement of the Lord as "the arm of the LORD". In the Lord's words they had experienced what Isaiah had announced and seen the "arm of the LORD" in many signs. They had not accepted the announcement as a message from God, but ascribed the Lord's words to the devil (ch. 8:49.52). In ascribing His works to the devil's power, they had equally rejected "the arm of the LORD".

This was the responsibility of the Jewish nation: they refused to believe. And because they rejected the sayings and works of Jesus, the time came when they could no longer believe. God Himself intervened and punished His people with blindness and stubbornness. He had already done so to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, after the latter had constantly hardened his heart (cf. Exodus ch. 7 with ch. 10:1).

We, today, are living in the age of grace. Nevertheless, "today, if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" still applies (Hebrews 3:7).

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 20:1-13 · Revelation 7:1-8