Purposely Blind

“When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore, they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”

Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many, even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” (John 12:26-43 ESV)

The unbelief of the people continues. Here, people witnessed Jesus and the miracles He displayed for God’s glory, and they would not believe it. We see the disbelief of the people that go as far back in the Bible as you look, and it continues today.

In these verses, we see the completion of Christ’s ministry. There is only one other place where we see Jesus's actions in ministerial fashion, the final “I told you so.” Now, do you believe? It is in the resurrection. We know this was effective as Thomas still did not believe until we saw Jesus in the body after the resurrection.

Jesus’ earthly ministry also fulfills the prophecies of Isaiah in judgment against an unbelieving Israel. Christ’s judgment previously announced by Isaiah against Israel was necessary and had to occur as it proceeded the coming Kingdom of God. Christ used the words of Isaiah to reveal God’s direct judicial plan to prevent spiritual perception. God must open the eyes of the heart so that one may perceive and understand the gospel. It was God’s sovereign choice to deny this.

In verse 41, we read, “Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.” It was Isaiah who had a vision and saw the enthroned God. Isaiah also prophesied about the “suffering servant.” The “him” Isaiah spoke of was the pre-incarnate Word, now among Israel in the flesh.

Many of the leaders of Israel believed in Christ as the Son of God. We know this to be accurate as we read later of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who risked exposure as disciples of Christ to remove Christ’s body from the cross and bury Him. Even then, these leaders would not profess faith in Christ as they were concerned with self, loving the notoriety and glory given to men of God.

Jesus is now two days from His arrest and crucifixion.

Peace and grace!