John 11:47-57 – Unbelief
A mighty miracle is done within an easy walk of Jerusalem. A man four days dead is raised to life, in the sight of many witnesses. The fact is unmistakable, and can’t be denied; and yet the chief priests and Pharisees will not believe that He who does this miracle is the Messiah. In the face of overwhelming evidence, they shut their eyes and refuse to be convinced and even take steps to kill Him. These verses show that miracles alone have no power to change hearts and make men and women Christians. It is the grace of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and not miracles that we need. The Jews of our Lord’s day are a proof that men may see signs and wonders and yet remain hard as stone. Man’s unbelief will stand against logic, facts, reasoning, arguments, and behaviour. Nothing can melt it down but the grace of God.
The rulers of the Jews argue that if they don’t kill Christ, the Romans will attack them. They rush madly on the path they have chosen, and the very thing they fear comes to pass. They crucify Christ, and what happens then? After a few years, the very calamity they dread takes place: the Roman armies do come, destroy Jerusalem, burn the temple, and carry the whole nation away into captivity. God can make the designs of His enemies work together for the good of His people and cause the wrath of man to praise Him. In days of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy, believers may rest patiently in the Lord. The very things that at one time seem likely to hurt them, shall prove to help them in the end.
Questions
- How do the Jewish rulers react to Jesus’ miracle?
- What do people need in order to be saved?
- What were the Jews afraid of?
Prayer Points
- Pray for Christians being persecuted in other countries.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.