John 12:37-41

John 12:37-41 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 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?” For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: “He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn — and I would heal them.” Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

Early in Christ's ministry when the crowds could not find him, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. He told them, I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. (John 6:24b & 26) How quickly miracles fade from our memories. Humans tend to follow Jesus with perseverance when our earthly circumstances lead us to sing, dance, and shout, "Hosanna!" When we see answers to prayer, get the new job, the healing comes, the friend apologizes, the wayward spouse repents, the noisy neighbors stop partying all night, the trial does not last too long and God provides an escape in a reasonable time period; then we are willing to pick up the cross or to jump in a boat and to follow Jesus anywhere. This happens in all our lives. When we experience wondrous miracles or witness amazing answers to prayer, we boldly declare with sincere hearts, "This miracle will be the engine that drives my life. Even if God never answers another prayer, I will never doubt him again, never falter in my faith." But not very far down the road as the emotional high lessens and the memory of the great experience begins to fade away, we sometimes grow lukewarm and forget: Blessed is the man [woman] who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:7) As the stones on the path turn into boulders; the twists become dangerous curves; and the rough places suddenly turn into precipices, pointing toward certain death; we cry out: "Lord, where are you? Why don't you answer my prayers? Why have you forsaken me? What kind of God treats his children like this? I have served you faithfully, and now you let me suffer and refuse to deliver me."

Faith is much more than a celebration because we were hungry and Jesus magically provided bread and fish. Faith is embracing the cross of Christ, dying to ourselves and coming alive in him. By faith we say, "Considering all that Jesus has done for me, how can I do less than give all for him." Faith is remaining steadfast in the joy of our salvation when we cannot see anything good or miraculous happening in the natural. Faith is believing when we feel as if the sky IS falling, when everything is going wrong. Faith is trusting in a God we cannot know through our human abilities or natural senses.

We live by faith, not by sight.

(2 Corinthians 5:7) We cannot see, touch, hear or breathe faith through natural means because faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV) Miracles remain a vital part of our lives. God showers his church with great and mighty visitations of his power and his divine presence; yet signs and wonders give us momentum for only a brief time. Enduring faith takes us through to the end of the race. FAITH ALLOWS US TO KNOW AND TO SERVE GOD WHETHER WE CAN DETECT HIM IN OUR LIVES OR NOT. We confess this truth because we have a heritage of faith built on the lives of countless believers who persevered through many hardships before entering the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22) We do not faint from hunger or die of thirst when the sun beats down upon us in the desert because JESUS IS our daily manna and living water. Since in all these things [trials] we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37), we are joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for [us] in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

We know our Shepherd; we know: W

ithout faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) Because Christ lives in us,

we do not have a spirit of bondage again to fear. But [we] received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:14-17) We learn persevering hope and faith not through the mountaintop experiences but through prayer, meditation, reading the Word, and sitting at the feet of Jesus: listening, trusting, and believing the voice of God. Scripture gives us tremendous ammunition to resist the enemy. When Satan roars his loudest, we do not fear a defeated foe. Jesus told his disciples not to worry or to fear their earthy existence but to seek the kingdom of God, believing in his everlasting love because they were more precious to him than all of creation. He said, Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32) Knowing this, we believe the creator of all things gave his only Son that He might be intimately involved in the heart of every person who trusts totally in him. The Bible declares, if God is for us, no enemy can defeat us; no weapon formed against us will prosper. We bear Christ's name, his image. We are born again into God's family to live forever as the Redeemed, unique in the universe! Praise the Lord all you New Creatures in Christ; walk in newness of life, regardless of the weather. Miracles will not sustain you: Faith in Christ will! He will never abandon you, NEVER! Therefore, Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT)