Who Hath Believed Our Report?

WHO HATH BELIEVED OUR REPORT?

John 12:37-43.

It is apparent from what John says here, that witnessing “many miracles” is not what converts people. In fact, the result is quite often wilful unbelief!

DESPITE the fact that Jesus “had done so many miracles before them” (in the presence of them, before their very eyes), “YET they believed not on Him” (John 12:37).

“That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled” (John 12:38a).

This does not mean that the unbelief was CAUSED by the saying, but that Isaiah FORESAW the unbelief.

The quotation in John 12:38b, “Who hath believed our report?” comes from Isaiah 53:1, which begins a chapter which foretold many specific details of the sufferings of our Lord.

This is a rhetorical question complaining, in effect, that ‘Nobody believes our report!’ Unbelief is an epidemic of global proportions.

“And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (John 12:38c).

‘The arm of the LORD’ often represents His power, which is shown here in the raising up of Jesus as our Redeemer. God acts in grace, yet people will not believe.

“Therefore” (on this account) “they could not believe” (John 12:39a). Why could they not believe? They could not because they would not!

God has given a full free salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, but men refuse to receive it. If men believe and receive it, it is to the glory of God. If men do not believe, then that, and its consequences, is the fault of man!

“Because that Esaias said again,” (John 12:39b). John is not blaming Isaiah, and neither John nor Isaiah are blaming God for people’s unbelief.

Another prophecy follows in John 12:40, this time from Isaiah 6:10, in the chapter where Isaiah is called as a prophet, but told that his message will be refused.

“He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted and I should heal them” (John 12:40).

This refers to a judicial blinding and hardening. It is a progressive battle of the wills.

First, they REFUSE to believe, but God goes on making the offer, giving the opportunity to believe, revealing HIS will that they SHOULD believe.

But with each refusal, their heart gets harder. If they WILL NOT see, they CANNOT see!

“These things said Esaias, when he saw His glory, and spake of Him” (John 12:41).

This refers to the whole vision of Isaiah 6, where the prophet saw the LORD in all His glory revealed in the temple.

This reminds me of John 1:14, ‘(and we beheld His GLORY, the GLORY as of the only begotten of the Father).’

It is a wonderful thing that NOT EVERYBODY refused to believe. Some were less hardened than others, even amongst “the rulers of the people” (John 12:42). But still, the fear of man, for the time being, prevented them from coming forward, lest they be excommunicated.

And the love of the praise of men, sadly, meant more to them than the praise of God (John 12:43).