November 17 – Believe in the Light

But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?" For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, "HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM." These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." John 12:37-46 

John was quoting Isaiah 53:1 and Isaiah 6:10, respectively, here. God blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts—He does that to those who continue to do evil and wicked things. It is hard to understand that the same God who is loving, good and kind could be the God that “blinded” eyes and “hardened” hearts. That seems cruel that God would actually allow the darkening of their minds, so that they grow hard, callous, become dull, lose the power of understanding. God does that? Sure makes you want to do things that please God. 

Belief in Jesus is belief in God the Father. Once again Jesus is talking about light—He is the Light—purity, truth, knowledge. As Jesus tells us with His red letter words, those who know, love and believe in Him are in the light, too—not darkness. To me that means understanding more—not being “blinded” or “hardened”. Allow God to give you “light” and understanding, too—believe in Jesus. Don’t stay in the dark—ignorant.  

Dear Jesus—give us wisdom and understanding that we would not be blinded or have hard hearts.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).