Scripture Reading - John 12:37-50

The Rejection of Jesus and the Fulfillment of Isaiah

Please turn in your Bibles to John chapter 12, John chapter 12, beginning in verse 37. That can be found on page 899 in the Pew Bible. Now in this passage, after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, we see that He is still rejected by many of the people.

He speaks, and He speaks in such a way that many do not understand, but this is to fill the words of Isaiah the prophet, who was sent in order that those hearing him would not believe. So Jesus is sent with a message that many who hear it do not believe.

And it says Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke of Him. Now on what occasion did Isaiah see the glory of Jesus Christ? Is this not here in Isaiah six, where this is quoted from?

Seeing the Glory of Christ in Isaiah 6

So in that throne room, whose glory is Isaiah seeing when he's seeing the glory of the Lord? He's seeing the glory of Jesus Christ. Now after this, Jesus explains that when people reject His words, they are not just rejecting His words, they're rejecting the Father's words, as He is the glory of His Father, as He is the radiance of His Father, so His message is the message of the Father.

And all who reject it do not merely reject Jesus, but also reject the Father. But the one who trusts in the Son, trusts in the Father. The one who believes in the Son, believes in the Father. And He has eternal life.

Unbelief, Fear of Man, and the Light of Christ

John 12, beginning halfway through 36. When Jesus had said these things, He departed and hid Himself from them. Though He had done so many times before them, they still did not believe in Him, so that the words 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 love the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. And Jesus cried out and said, whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me. And whoever sees Me, sees Him who sent Me.

Christ as Light, Judge, and the Father's Commandment

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

The one who rejects Me and does not receive My words has a judge. The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father who sent Me has Himself given Me a commandment, what to say and what to speak.

And I know that His commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told Me.

Amen.