Read John 12:37-50.
Are You Blind? Are You Stupid?
When Jesus performed many miracles it resulted in two reactions:
1. Those who did not believe who Jesus really was. This fulfilled what Isaiah 6:10 said that the peoples eyes were made blind and their hearts were hardened so that they could not understand the truth.
2. Those who did believe, but because of the Pharisees, they would not acknowledge their faith for fear that the Pharisees would kick them out of the synagogue. They loved human praise more than praise from God.
Jesus establishes with the people what belief in him really looks like:
1. To believe in Jesus is to believe in God the Father who sent him.
2. To see Jesus is to see and know God his Father.
3. Whatever you hear Jesus say is exactly what God his Father has commanded him to say.
4. Whatever Jesus says will lead to eternal life.
5. Jesus came as a light to save the world so that they will no longer walk in darkness.
6. Jesus came to save the world from their sin, not judge them.
7. Those who reject Jesus will bring judgment upon themselves.
Do you understand, then, what’s at stake when you reject Jesus? You are rejecting the Salvation he is offering you, and you are rejecting everything about God who sent his Son to save you.
Belief is more than mere words. It involves all your heart, soul, mind, and strength that results in a transformation in your life.
Do you believe in Jesus? It’s either yes or no! Isaiah 6:10 spoke of those who were blind to the truth and those who didn’t understand the truth. I paraphrase him as saying, “Are you blind?” “Are you stupid?” I paraphrased it that way because I remember as a boy that when I failed to see what was really going on or failed to make good choices, someone would say, “Are you blind?” or “Are you stupid?”
What blows my mind is that even those who rejected Jesus, he said to them, I didn’t come to judge you but to save you. It’s Jesus’s final plea to humankind in hopes that they would believe him and follow him versus going to their grave to face a judgment they brought upon themselves.
Please, heed the warning of Jesus. Don’t be blind and don’t be stupid.
