Blinded Eyes
Scripture Passage: John 12:37-43 (NASB)
37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.” 41 These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. 42 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; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
SUMMARY
Even after Jesus had done many miraculous signs, some Jews still would not believe in Him. This was to fulfill the word of the prophet (Isaiah 53:1). The reason of their unbelief is stated in Isaiah 6:10, “He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.” On the other hand, some Jews believed in Jesus. However, they would not confess their faith because they feared they would lose their positions in the synagogue and they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
God revealed His Glory to the prophet Isaiah and the mystery of the gospel was given to the Jews hundreds of years ago so that they could hold on to the hope of the coming Christ. However, some eyes were blinded and some hearts were hardened when Jesus came to this world.
When I meditated on these passages, I reflected on the times when my eyes were blinded in the past few months since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. I was sometimes blinded by social media posts or by the news broadcast. During that time, I was not trying to align my heart with the Father’s heart. In those moments, I chose to entertain myself with conspiracy theories and articles that has created division in the world. God reminded me to turn to Him and to allow Him to heal me - from fear of suffering and feeling insecure. I confess my unbelief, criticisms, self-righteousness and love of approval of men. I need more of Jesus in my life. I need the constant reminder of the truth and hope that the Scriptures have already revealed to me.
APPLICATION
I want to set time limits on browsing through social media and watching the news. I need to spend way more time with God so I can really interpret current event through the lens of God’s word.
PRAYER
I pray that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which He has called us, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
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