Excellent Motivation

“Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ’Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’ Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, ’He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.’ Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God" (John 12:37-43, ESV).

What motivates us to take an action?

According to Google, “People are motivated to act for various reasons, and what drives one person may differ from what drives another.”

One of them, “Intrinsic Motivation: This comes from within and includes personal satisfaction, joy, and interest in the activity itself.”

Another one is, “Achievement: The desire to reach personal goals and accomplishments can be a powerful motivator. This includes excelling in a career, winning a competition, or mastering a skill.”

Also, “Growth and Learning: The drive to improve oneself, gain new knowledge, and develop skills can push people to take action.”

Our last example is, “Rewards and Recognition: External rewards such as money, prizes, promotions, or praise can motivate people.”

They are just among the common motivations. You may have other things in mind.

But this time, let’s focus on the topic, EXCELLENT MOTIVATION while we study our text (John 12:37-43).

What excellent motivation, not only right but godly, that we can have or develop to propel us to action, even to do what is seemingly impossible?

Again, realize that the Gospel of John was written by the Apostle John, who addressed himself repeatedly in the book as, “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” He pointed out in many instances that Jesus is God. And he emphasized the need not only to believe, but also to love Jesus.

In the early part of chapter 12, John portrayed the great love of Mary for Jesus. As she was aware of the Great Worth of Jesus, she did not just bottle up in her heart her appreciation and affection for Him. She showed it by her action -- giving her costly possession to Jesus.

Then, there was an account of non-Jewish persons who became aware of the fame of Jesus. They were converts to Jewish religion. They came to Jerusalem and attended the Jewish festival. But being aware that Jesus was also there, they were not just contented of the religious experience. There was desire in their hearts, not only to see Jesus physically but to have spiritual insight and connection to Him.

Next, the writer, John, implied that Jesus as the Light. And Jesus said that He would die by hanging on the cross. Because of His death, He “will draw all people to… (Himself).” Meaning, He will draw all "sheep" to Himself, as He stated in John 10:15B, “…I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Now, in our text, we can draw out the excellent motivation for action, especially to have real faith in Jesus. So, what is it?

HAVE THE FEAR OF GOD (verses 42-43).

We read verses 42-43, “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."

In our background, we learn that Jesus was drawing all people -- referring to the sheep-kind-of-people. The sheep were those who listen and believe in Him. In verse 37 of our text, it validates the fact that Jesus is not drawing to Himself every person in the world. For the verse states, there were those who “did not believe in him.”

In verse 38, John cited the words of Isaiah 53:1, that the tendency of people was not to believe. The “arm of the Lord” -- God’s power -- was not manifested to them. So, in verse 39, “Therefore, they could not believe…”

And God allowed them in their spiritual blindness and disbelief, or in the words of Isaiah (Isa. 6:10), as quoted by John in verse 40, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”

In verse 41, the Apostle John highlighted the Divinity of Christ as he pointed out that the Glory of God that Isaiah saw in Isa. 6:1, he saw the glory of Christ.