BIG IDEA:
THE REVELATION OF THE FATHER VIA THE LIGHT OF HIS SON CANNOT BE RECEIVED BY EYES THAT ARE BLINDED AND HEARTS THAT ARE HARDENED
INTRODUCTION:
The rejection by the Jewish nation of their promised Messiah is coming to a head. Despite pockets of belief, the vast majority of the Jews seem unable to embrace Him with saving faith. The religious leaders especially are intensifying their opposition. This section attempts to explain this shocking level of unbelief.
I. (:37-43) REJECTION IS NO SURPRISE BUT STILL SHOCKING
A. (:37) Lack of Faith is Shocking Due to the Quality of Revelation
(Lack of Faith Not Due to Lack of Revelation)
“But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him.”
B. (:38-41) Lack of Faith Is No Surprise Given the Testimony of Isaiah —
Attributed to Blinded Eyes and Hardened Hearts –
1. (:38) Prophecy of Faith Vacuum
“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?’”
2. (:39-40) Prophecy of Judgmental Blinding and Hardening
“For this cause they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, ‘He has blinded their eyes, and He hardened their heart; lest they see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and be converted, and I heal them.’”
3. (:41) Foresight of Isaiah
“These things Isaiah said, because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him.”
C. (:42-43) Even Seed Faith Stunted by Fear of Men
1. (:42) Paralyzed by Fear
“Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.”
2. (:43) Performing for Men
“for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.”
II. (:44-50) REJECTION MEANS CONDEMNATION BECAUSE THE WORDS OF JESUS REFLECT THE TESTIMONY OF GOD THE FATHER
A. (:44-45) Faith in Christ Mirrors Faith in God the Father
1. (:44) Commonality of Faith
“And Jesus cried out and said, ‘He who believes in Me does not believe in Me, but in Him who sent Me.’”
2. (:45) Commonality of Vision
“And he who beholds Me beholds the One who sent Me.”
B. (:46) Light Can Deliver From Darkness
“I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness.”
C. (:47-48) Rejection Means Condemnation
“And if anyone hears My sayings, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”
D. (:49-50) The Revelation from Christ Mirrors the Revelation from God the Father
“For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say, and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”