Truth Exposed 44 Stubborn Unbelief and Cowards, John 12:34-43 (388)Truth Exposed 44 Stubborn Unbelief and Cowards, John 12:34-43 (388)

previously in our deep dive of John:

A thronging mass of Greek Jews had come and desired to see Jesus. The curiosity seekers went to Philip and Andrew to ask to be taught by him. Jesus spoke freely with them about his coming death.

he shared parables to demonstrate how his sacrifice is needed, and God made an appearance for the benefit of the crowd. they understood some things, but not his apparent defeat in death.

Open your Bibles and follow along as we study John 12:34-43.

The crowd understood that Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah, but had a problem understanding that the coming Messiah would not be with them for eternity. Did they have a correct understanding of Scripture? Could Jesus have explained what he meant by the term, Son of Man?

The Expositor’s Bible Dictionary states: There is no specific passage in the Pentateuch that affirms the eternity of the Messiah, but if by “the Law” the people meant the OT in general, the Davidic Covenant may have been their source of information. The people were confused by Jesus’ reference to the “Son of Man” and wanted to know who he was.

2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16 NASB

12 “When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
16 “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”´”

Jesus responds with a recurring theme of him being light in the darkness, and darkness not recognized.

For a little while longer the Light is among you.

• John 7:33 Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me.
• John 9:4 “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.

Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you;

• John 12: 36,46
  
  36 “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them.
  
  46 “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.
• John 1:5-9
  
  5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
  
  6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.
  
  7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
  
  8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
  
  9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
• Isaiah 42:6,7
  
  6 “I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations,
  
  7 To open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison.

See also:
Ro 13:12-14 Eph 5:8,14,15 1Th 5:5-8 1Jo 1:6,7

so that darkness will not overtake you;

• John 12: 39,40
  
  39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,
  
  40 “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.”

See also:
Ps 69:22-28 Jer 13:16,17 Ro 11:7-10 2Co 3:14

he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

• John 11:10 “But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
• Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.
• 1 John 2:8-11
  
  8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.
  
  9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.
  
  10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
  
  11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Jesus shared a sense of urgency, do it while you have the light.
He shared a sense of purpose. become sons of light.
With his teaching ministry finished, Jesus departs and hides.

Though no signs or miracles are recorded in the discourse with this crowd, it’s possible john meant his ministry at large, or the recent raising of Lazarus. However, they didn’t believe.

John records prophecies from Isaiah with the theme that God knows who will believe and who won’t. Faith comes easy to some, while others stubbornly refuse, despite overwhelming evidence. Their stubborn persistent unbelief is prophesied.

hardcore blindness to God and all he provides in our natural world is itself an act of God blinding them. Unless he first reveals himself to someone, belief can never come. Without revealing his holiness and our sin, repentance will never happen. The concept for this comes from a reference to Isaiah 6, a vision in the throne room.

Whether any in the thronging mass believed, more of the ruling class did. They just weren’t ready to go public. Their immature faith was still filled with
fear of losing social status, and of the pharisees.

Social standing, comfortable living, they let it come between them and God.