John: Human Heart Exposed

Faith has reasons; but reasons do not always produce faith. Jesus' testimony led many to believe in him; others only became hardened against him. The conversation recorded in John chapter 9 is a warning about what the unregenerate human heart is capable of. His manifest truthfulness is met with cynicism and ridicule. He warns that he will eventually abandon them, but they still maintain their hostility to the light of the world. When he says, 'When you lift up the Son of Man' he is not referring only to his crucifixion but also to the glory that would follow - and they could not deny the events that followed Pentecost. Even amid all today's opposition there are people coming to faith in Jesus. That is conspicuous in the Arab world. It is happening around us, and should encourage us. But new believers need teaching, and Jesus did that - he still does by his ministers. As the conversation went on it showed how their characters were the exact opposite - Jesus the Son of God in all his truth and holiness - they the children of Satan in all their dishonesty and malice. It should teach us to beware of protecting our self-image above everything, for we need to be allow Jesus' word to correct us. How we ought to study the Bible, praying for humility and honesty as we do so.