JOHN 12:37-43 IT’S A HEART CONDITION

37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:
“Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 “He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.”
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Origen of Alexandria, the Third-century Christian theologian and Church Father, wrote that the same sun both melts wax and hardens clay (On First Principles). In light of this passage, we might add that the sun makes the grass grow, but also dries up the grass. Jesus the Son has a similar effect. His presence in the world results in hearts being melted or harden in faith or unbelief. But among those whose hearts are warmed, there are also those whose faith shrivels because of fear of rejection by men.

Hearts of clay, wax or shriveled grass are revealed by their response to the Son. As sinful human beings we have hardened our hearts into clay through our repeated sinning and individualistic attitude. We see evidence of this daily as we interact with the people around us and react to the needs of the world. In order to protect ourselves we have hardened our hearts in cynicism and rationalization. We have experienced hurt, rejection and deception, and we are going to do all we can to prevent it from happening again. But the only way to protect ourselves is to harden our hearts.

Perhaps we encounter a person or event that gets through our defenses and the seed of the Gospel falls on our heart. It is good seed and it sprouts. But since our hearts are clay and the world is hostile, the sprouts wither because of our fears.

Our only hope is to join King David in his great act of contrition found in Psalm 51.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
Or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
And grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” (vv.10-12)

Truly, Lord, create in me a new heart – one that will melt with love and faith in your presence. May I find all the protection I need in your love and not rely on the walls of defense in which I encase my heart. Give me a heart that is workable in your hands and useable for your purpose. Amen.