John 12:37-43

John 12:37-43 - Daily Devotion - 24 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 37 Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:“Lord, who has believed our message?And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”39 For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:40 “He has blinded their eyesand hardened their hearts,so that they cannot see with their eyes,and understand with their hearts,and turn,and I would heal them.”41 Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him. 42 Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. 43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.REFLECTIONSWritten by Adam Davies This passage immediately makes me think of that classic thing people say: “If Jesus/God came and spoke to me or showed himself to me, then I would believe.”That feels like it should be obvious – if Jesus was standing right in front of me now, performing miracles, healing the sick, even raising the dead, well of course all my doubts would disappear and I would leave everything to follow him… wouldn’t I?The trouble with this age-old objection to following Jesus is that he did come, and he did perform many signs, but people still didn’t believe him! We entertain thoughts like, wouldn’t it be better if Jesus came now, because we could make a video documentary, and then the evidence would be so clear to everyone, but really… would it?In an age of “AI slop” where “Shrimp Jesus” gets as much attention as anything real (yes, that’s a thing on the internet now!), it still wouldn’t help! It’s not an evidence problem, it’s a heart issue. If I simply don’t want to give up living for myself, I will find any excuse not to trust in Jesus, even if his work is clear before me. Isaiah spoke many years before Jesus came about this exact problem – our eyes are blinded, our hearts are hardened, so we cannot turn and be healed.But I thank God that he chose to reveal himself to me, that he worked in me by his Spirit so I can believe his message, and has promised to keep me for the day of salvation. Otherwise there would be zero hope for me, a sinner.What about you? Have you believed his message that has been revealed, or are you harbouring doubts that long for a direct revelation that would give you the certainty you desire? Christ has already come in the flesh, what more could we want? ABOUT THE AUTHORAdam is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.