April 21 Unmoving Unbelief

John 12:34-41 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”  35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. 37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn – and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.
 
THE people asked Jesus a direct question, “Who is the Son of Man?” This was a great question. The Son of Man was a reference in Daniel to one who came directly from God and given authority to reign on earth. Daniel 7:13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days (the LORD God) and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” You can see why the Jews asked, “Who is the Son of Man?”
    Why, then, did Jesus not give a direct answer, do you think? Wouldn’t a direct answer, “I am the Son of Man.” have moved their hearts to believe?
    Let’s consider what we have read in John. Jesus has many times taught, “I am in the Father, and the Father is in me.” (John 10:38) He has spoken of his work to do “only what he sees his Father doing” (John 5:19b). He has declared he is the one given authority from the Ancient of Days.
    Even more, Jesus has directly identified himself as the Son of Man as recorded in Matthew 9:6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” In short, Jesus has repeatedly answered, “Who is the Son of Man?” through his words and actions. Jesus knows their hearts are dark. That’s why he urges them to see the light as he stands before them.
    Jesus affirms the Jews’ unbelief as he relates it to Isaiah’s prophecies. The Lord desires they see the darkness in their hearts, so they will turn to the light, believe in the Son of Man and be saved.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray you will reveal to me the things I do not see in you. Turn my eyes, heart and mind to more truly live in you. Amen.