Have you ever thought as you read your Bible how people in Jesus’ day didn’t believe He was the long-awaited Messiah? The ones that opposed Him the most were the priests, the Pharisees and other religious leaders – the very ones who studied the Law of Moses and the prophets. But if that wasn’t enough, then what about all the miracles He did? Wouldn’t that be enough to convince them? What about you? Do you believe?
What gets in the way of believing?
Yet, here in John 12:37, we find that even though Jesus performed many miracles in their presence, they did not believe Him. So what got in the way of their belief? As a man, he was simply not the stuff Messiah’s are made of. Not the kind of Messiah they wanted. They wanted someone to crown king. Someone that would restore the nation of Israel to its glory days when David was king. Someone who would free them from Roman rule.
Israel’s rejection of Jesus was planned by God so salvation could be for everyone
There is another reason, though, that the people did not believe Jesus was the Messiah. God planned for many in Israel to be unbelieving and to reject Jesus. Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that [the first indicator that the unbelief was planned] the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled. John then goes on to quote Isaiah 53:1. So that…God planned Israel’s rejection of Jesus because He had a plan of redemption for all of mankind.
It was their rejection of Jesus that sent Jesus to the cross. Without the cross, there is no salvation. So God planned for Israel’s rejection and murder of His Only Son.
Would you believe if Jesus did miracles in your life?
What gets in the way of you believing?
What about all the miracles Jesus did? Israel’s history is full of prophets who did miracles. But none of them claimed to be the Son of God. For the Jews, making this claim was pure blasphemy – and that is what they rejected. We also see throughout the Bible that there were those who practice sorcery. Remember when Moses cast his rod down and it became a serpent? Pharaoh’s magicians did the same thing – but then Moses serpent ate all the other serpents. King Saul wanted to talk to Samuel – only Samuel was dead, so he went to see a witch who could summon the dead. So the miracles, in and of themselves, didn’t prove Jesus was the Messiah.
You can be fascinated, and still not believe
The people were certainly fascinated by the miracle Jesus did. They flocked to Him for the chance of seeing Him perform a miracle. And yet, still, they did not believe. Maybe at some point in your life, you found yourself in a place of doubt. A time when you’ve been questioning what God has called you to do. Maybe you’ve been questioning your salvation. Or maybe you’ve been questioning if Jesus really is the Son of God. Maybe you’ve found yourself saying, “God, if Jesus would only do a miracle, I would believe.” Don’t be so sure. The people of Jesus’ day watched him do miracle after miracle and still they did not believe. Even after he rose from the dead, there were still those who did not believe. They were fascinated, for sure – but not all believed.
Each person must decide what they will believe
Each one of us must decide what we believe about who Jesus is. We have the Bible from Genesis to Revelation that tells us about Him. We can point to the prophecies told about Him and show where the prophecy was fulfilled. But in the end, the only way to salvation and eternal life is by faith. There is no other way. We must simply believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died in our place to pay the price for our sins, but then rose again and now lives in heaven.
The Bible also tells us that Jesus is coming again – are you ready? Do you believe in Jesus as the only Son of God, who lived a sinless life, died on a cross as the payment for your sins, and then rose again? If you don’t believe, you’re not ready for His return. What would it take for you to believe?
Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template
Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.
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Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan
We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.
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Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan
With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!
One Year Bible Reading Plan
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The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.
Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.
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<<<NEW>>> In the Spreadshop Store this Week:
Chosen and Loved and Critics don’t define God’s calling on your life
Don’t listen to what people say about you. The critics don’t define God’s calling on your life. Listen to what God says about you… He says you are chosen and loved. His voice is the only voice that matters. Listen to Him.
See our graduation tees and products:
Graduating Seniors, Class of 2021, #Done2021, and Tassel worth the Hassle
Once in the store, you can click on the customize tab and add your school name or graduate’s name!
The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.
Jesus is our Peace 
Fight on my knees 
Godfidence 
Walk by faith 
I’m only talking to Jesus today 
Known Loved Worthy Enough Chosen Child of God 
Grace wins 
Living for the world to see Jesus 
Way Maker 
Walk by Faith 
Script Unstoppable God 
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Unstoppable Force 
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Something New 
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He Left 99 for Me 
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Giants 
Faith over Fear 
Don’t Worry 
Faith Can Move Mountains 
Don’t Quit 
Created to Praise 
All things are Possible 
What the Lord Requires 
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With my song I will praise Him 
Names of God 
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Blessings head to toe-hearts 
Revive us again, Lord 
Isaiah 41:13 
Blessings head to toe – roses 
Jeremiah 29:11 
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Blessings head to toe – floral 
God’s starting point 
Revive us Again 
God bless the USA 
Just Pray 
Battle Isn’t Over
Canvas art and posters are available in the Teespring store. Many of our Christian Tees are also available at Teespring.
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God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce
What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
- Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
- Conversation Starters.
- Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
- Romance Builders.
- Relationship Builders.
- Personal reflections.
- Date ideas.
- Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.
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