John 11: 45-53

 John 11: 45-53

Faith is not a function of evidence but of the will. It is in the first and final stages a choice we make. In the first stage toward faith there must be a willingness to consider the evidence fairly. But along with that openness for consideration of the evidence there must be a willingness to accept the truth and all it means and implies.  This is the final stage as we move into faith. When there is doubt and honest questions the evidence can be persuasive. 

But when there is unbelief nothing can convince, because the heart and the will do not want to be convinced. Even with the evidence that an incredible miracle has occurred and with more than enough evidence that signs are happening the religious elite began to develop a plan to kill Jesus.  This was not a problem of evidence. The healing of the man born blind and the resurrection of Lazarus should have been enough evidence of the truth of Jesus's message and the authority of His claims. But for those who do not want to believe even this was not enough.  

So what is the blockage? Verse 48 provides some inside. In this case of the Jewish leaders were concerned that Jesus was a threat to their power, the political control. That meant He was a threat to their wealth, prestige and privilege. People are still the same. The claims of Jesus's leadership over our lives will mean a significant change and we may have not wanted that change. We enjoyed our vices and would rather close our eyes to the evidence than be changed.  We would rather try to live life on our terms and in so doing reject Christ. God for His part will respect our choice.

“Lord, help me to have a heart that is open to You. AMEN”