JOHN 12:37-41
37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” 41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.
Jesus had done so many miracles during His time here on earth. He availed himself to the crowds that would flock Him. Here Isaiah is intricately tied to Jesus's ministry. Many of Isaiah's prophecies spoke of Jesus' imminent arrival. But John made the case that the Jews were missing it because of their unbelief.
Luke explained in chapter 4 of his book that Jesus was rejected by His own after reading a passage from the book of the prophet Isaiah (Luke 4:16-30). He was not well liked among His own, yet He was not deterred. Jesus knew that He "must be about [His] Father’s business” (Luke 2:49).
More than any other man in the Old Testament, Isaiah saw the glory of Christ. When we call this man the greatest Christian before Christ, we refer to his knowledge of the coming Redeemer, and to his presentation of Christ’s work of atoning for sinners. Of all the Old Testament writers, this man is most often quoted in the New. Among all those inspired books we could least afford to lose this one, for here we have the Gospel before Christ came to seal it with his blood.—Clarence E. Macartney, The Greatest Christian Before Christ, September 14, 1962.
What great catastrophe to miss Jesus; even greater should we miss heaven. After all the evidence is laid before us, whose report will we believe? Will we be like the Jews and reject all proof? Or will we believe the report of the Lord? May we not miss the message of Christ echoing in the chambers of our heart. That which awaits is glorious! May we see Christ's glory, just like Isaiah saw.
PRAYER: Lord I pray that your glory may be revealed. May your presence surround me. Illuminate your word that I may walk therein. Guard my heart and guide my tongue. Help my unbelief and strengthen my faith. Amen!
Luke explained in chapter 4 of his book that Jesus was rejected by His own after reading a passage from the book of the prophet Isaiah (Luke 4:16-30). He was not well liked among His own, yet He was not deterred. Jesus knew that He "must be about [His] Father’s business” (Luke 2:49).
More than any other man in the Old Testament, Isaiah saw the glory of Christ. When we call this man the greatest Christian before Christ, we refer to his knowledge of the coming Redeemer, and to his presentation of Christ’s work of atoning for sinners. Of all the Old Testament writers, this man is most often quoted in the New. Among all those inspired books we could least afford to lose this one, for here we have the Gospel before Christ came to seal it with his blood.—Clarence E. Macartney, The Greatest Christian Before Christ, September 14, 1962.
What great catastrophe to miss Jesus; even greater should we miss heaven. After all the evidence is laid before us, whose report will we believe? Will we be like the Jews and reject all proof? Or will we believe the report of the Lord? May we not miss the message of Christ echoing in the chambers of our heart. That which awaits is glorious! May we see Christ's glory, just like Isaiah saw.
PRAYER: Lord I pray that your glory may be revealed. May your presence surround me. Illuminate your word that I may walk therein. Guard my heart and guide my tongue. Help my unbelief and strengthen my faith. Amen!