John 12:37-43
Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.
“Notice what you notice.” Continuing in John 12…
There’s a lot to see in the last two verses for today: 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. (vv. 42-43) It’s good to see that many of the rulers were believing in Jesus, but sad that they would not confess Him. We suspect that some (many?) came around later – recall Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea at the end of Jesus’ life.
It’s also sad that the “approval of men” was more important to these rulers. Unfortunately, it’s understandable. Back in those days the Jews were “one nation under God” and their synagogue worship was the center of their lives (in addition to their three trips to Jerusalem every year). So someone put out of the synagogue effectively became an outcast to all their friends and neighbors – and maybe even family! I’ve seen so much “Pharisee” in me as we’ve read through the Gospels this year that I probably would have also been hard-pressed to be one of those who openly confessed Jesus had I lived back then.
A verse from yesterday that I had meant to comment on, but forgot: These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. (v. 36) I had wondered at His “hiding Himself”. So often He made Himself available even when He was tired. So I was wondering if maybe He simply went off to pray, to be with His Father. Or maybe He just hid Himself…? Interesting!
Slava Bohu!
I too looked at the description that He hid. I wondered if it also meant spiritually. It is where the passage talks about God hardening hearts. I have always wondered why God would do that. My study Bible notes that God was confirming their choices. Also when God was silent in the 400 years between the prophets and Jesus. Was he hiding, confirming our choices? Yikes. Pray that we and others do not have our hearts hardened.
Interesting comments. I also wonder how I would have reacted to Jesus—would I have been open about my faith in him, knowing I could lose everything?
I was so impressed with Bethany T.’s latest report of the Alagwa family there whose father is able now to explore faith in Jesus to his immediate family, but has not been able to “come out” in his extended family or community, knowing he will probably lose all contact and all respect from them when he does. In addition, the group in Michigan which we have helped with English camp for the past two years just sent a report this morning telling about different Muslims to whom they are witnessing. Some are slowly accepting the possibility that Jesus is God. But they too know that faith in him will have serious consequences if they speak about it. It is huge, this making of disciples! Could I be so bold? I hope so!
And yes, what is going on in the verse that says Jesus hid himself from them? Did he want them to process what he had already said before giving them more input? I think so. I often have to ponder a bit. If I get too much content too fast, my brain shuts down—I simply miss a lot!