Mid-week Prayer Focus
Fearful Believers
Pastor Wes
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Over the past several weeks we’ve looked at Jesus’ teaching on the end times and His return, contained in Matthew chapters 24 and 25. This teaching most likely took place on a Tuesday, just days before His crucifixion. And Jesus reminded His disciples of this in the following chapter 26, verses 1 and 2. It says “When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, ‘You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.’” And we learn later in the chapter, that Judas went away secretly to discuss with the religious leaders a plan of betraying Jesus into their hands. (Matt. 26:14-16) Now next time we are going look at the following chronological events surrounding the Passover meal, but in between Jesus’ teaching on the end times and the preparations for the Passover meal is an important passage recorded by John. The passage is John 12:37-50.
In verse 37 John declares that “though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him.” John is summing up Jesus’ earthly ministry, as it is coming to an end, saying that despite all the signs and wonders that prove the validity of His words- people still just weren’t believing. John goes on to mention that the prophet Isaiah, who lived some 700 years before Jesus, had prophesied that this would happen during the Messiah’s time- people wouldn’t believe and their hearts would be hardened. We might not understand why this is the case, but the reality is that so many will be turned over to a hardened heart. In refusing to believe, the Lord then removes His softening hand and gentle nudges, abandoning persons for their hearts to harden even further. We know the Lord doesn’t want this to happen, no, He is “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Just recently we had read about Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem, saying “How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” (Matthew 23:37) The Lord is looking for soft hearts- He’s wanting and willing to work on any wanting and willing heart.
Now it’s really interesting what John tells us next, in verse 42. He tells us “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.” It’s like he says “Despite the miracles, most didn’t believe, however, there were several of the religious leaders who actually did believe in Him, but were too embarrassed to admit it.” Unfortunately, I believe this is often the case with many believers in today’s society. There exists a societal pressure that wants to silence believers, or discredit them, or antiquate them. And often, like these fearful believers John mentions, we give way to the approval of man, rather than being concerned more about God’s approval.
It’s my prayer that you remain bold in your faith, and that your actions would never be swayed by seeking man’s approval. No matter the societal pressures, may you take great joy in living out your relationship with Jesus, through love, humility, and boldness. You carry the truth with you wherever you go! Don’t be ashamed of that truth, no matter what.
In verses 44 and following, Jesus reminds us of the realities for those who believe in Him. Those who believe are not only believing in Him, but in God who sent Him. (John 12:44-45) Those who believe won’t remain in darkness, (verse 46) but they have been commanded into eternal life! (verse 50) Church, what a treasure it is to know Jesus, to believe in Him- to know we have been commanded into eternal life! As a believer, your reality is eternal life, and that reality requires no apology. May you live fearlessly in today’s fearful times. I love you church and am praying for you.