October 31, 2020 -- John 12:36-43 -- Terrible Glory

When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

40 “He has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
    and understand with their heart, and turn,
    and I would heal them.”

41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

John 12:36-43 English Standard Version

This is a passage longer than I’d usually use for these devotions. The reason for doing this is that the passage is difficult to understand and breaking it up into smaller portions would lop off the explanation contained in it. Why would Jesus hide Himself from the crowds? Why would the LORD blind the hearts of people, harden their hearts and prevent them from being healed?

Isaiah the prophet saw a vision of the glory of the LORD. The utter holiness of the LORD wrecked Isaiah. He felt like he was disintegrating before the holiness of God. Isaiah confessed his sinfulness and received cleansing from the LORD. Isaiah was then strengthened to serve God no matter what reaction rebellious kings or prophets, disbelieving people or priests spoke against him. Isaiah loved the glory of God and desired to reflect back to God glory rather than receive glory and praise from people—which would last only as long as you stick to their ever-changing, ever-increasing-in-wickedness agendas.

The people in Jesus’ day were happy to see Jesus as a miracle worker. They realized how awesome it’d be to have a wandering healer in their midst, but they were not prepared to follow Him when religious authorities or family members and friends turned against Him or against them. The vacillating crowd wanted ease, wanted healing and wanted the people around them to like them. They were not prepared to follow Jesus when it became difficult. That’s the heart of it—Jesus is not begging and pleading: “Oh please, OH PLEEEZ follow ME!”. Understand this, Jesus is the Lord of Glory—to know Him is the greatest treasure. It is worth it if all people curse you and misunderstand you, as long as you have Jesus. To start on the pathway of knowing Jesus and then to abandon ship is to invite greater condemnation and wrath from God.

Know this—when you take hold of Jesus, you will undertake the greatest adventure of your life. Be prepared for the fact that people will critique. They will hate you. They will question you and mock you. Even others who seem like Christians will fight against you. Do not give up. Fix your eyes on Jesus and know this: the glory that comes from man and the world is useless—in a minute or two fashions will change and you’ll fall into great disgrace. The glory that comes from God moves from glory to ever greater heights of glory. God is infinite and the adventure of following Him, is like no other glory and no other adventure.

The prayer today is based on Psalm 124:6-8

Blessed be the LORD Who has not given us as prey into the teeth of fickle crowds and lawless leaders. Blessed be the LORD Who has caused us to escape like birds in flight; in the great Name of Jesus Christ we have escaped the nets set by the wicked and we have shaken off the foolish desire for the praises of men, the desire for the glory of people. Spirit of the Living God You have taught us to declare with ever growing, confident faith: “Our help is in the Name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth!” Amen.