Thoughts on the Gospel of John (119) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Then Jesus cried out and said, He who believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And he who sees me sees him who sent me.
John 12:42-45.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (119)
Despite all the signs that clearly proved that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, the people of Israel rejected Him. As a consequence, God hardened their hearts.

We are now given an insight into the thinking of the rulers. They believed in Him. Was that true faith? We might designate it as rational belief. Intellectually they were convinced that Jesus was the Christ, because the proof seemed indisputable. Today many still believe in a Creator-God, since they recognise that the complex, yet orderly creation cannot possibly have developed of its own accord.

Rational belief is, however, dead and will bear no fruit. Genuine faith, on the other hand, is revealed by the fact that a Christian has a living relationship with Christ and confesses Him publicly. "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10). This confession was lacking with the rulers, for they loved honour among the Pharisees more than the praise of God.

How many people have "their faith", but will not confess the Saviour Jesus Christ. Their reputation among men is more important to them than God's approval. But they will one day be classed among the cowardly, whose end is the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 24:1-27 · Revelation 11:12-19