John 12:27-50 - Why people do not believe - CityReach SOAP

S. John 12: 37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. O. It always seemed very logical to me to believe in God; how else can you explain how the universe got started? Why do some people refuse to believe in God, despite the evidence? People who deny that God exists may give several excuses for their non-belief. But in today’s passage, Jesus showed us real reasons for unbelief. a) Use their own thinking (27-33) The audible voice of the Father to affirm Jesus’ status as the Son of God was heard by many. But people wanted to explain this in their own ways: i.e. it sounded like thunder or angelic speech. Some did not understand the Messiah has to suffer. They were taught the triumph of the Messiah and were unaware of the passages that spoke of His suffering. b) Fear of man (42-43) At this point in Jesus’ ministry there were many who believed on Jesus secretly. They saw the signs and heard His teaching, yet because they were afraid of what others would think and do against them, they would not openly declare their allegiance to and trust in Jesus. Jesus said there were many who loved the honour that comes from other men more than the praise that comes from God. c) Hardened hearts (37-41) Isaiah revealed the main reason for unbelief is hardened hearts. They want to run their own lives, and they do not want anyone—especially God—to interfere with the way they are living. They want to be in control of everything they do, and they know that if they were to believe in Jesus, they would have to change their lifestyle. A. We must ask God to open their spiritual eyes and help us to demonstrate the reality of Christ’s power to change our lives. Even though many refuses to believe in God, lives without God is to live without hope—hope for His presence with us right now, and hope for eternity. Instead of knowing that God has put us here for a purpose, they end up living without any ultimate meaning in life. P. We pray for many that have hardened their hearts to be free from their spiritual blindness to the reality of Your love. Lord, please grant us the urgency and seriousness of the impending judgement of the world and share the Gospel with them. cityreach.com.au/oakden