1/27/17
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
Who do some not believe? John 12:37-43 has apostolic commentary on the topic. The people didn’t believe because Isaiah was right. Actually, because God was right when speaking to/through Isaiah. People do not believe in Jesus, the light of the world, because their eyes are blinded, their hearts are hardened. They have claimed their sinful nature as their own and God has left them mired in their unbelief. Having all the evidence, having all the signs of God’s grace, even having Christ, the Lamb of God who would take away their sin, they still would not believe. They didn’t wish to turn and be healed.
We are bound to realize that this proclamation is made with tears. Does God wish his people to be saved from sin? Yes. It is an unqualified invitation. Yet, against all reason, again and again, humans mired in their sinful nature, make idols for themselves, idols of themselves.
God’s commitment to save sinners extends so far as for God the Son to give his life to take away the sin of every last one. Yet, being dead in sin, we seek only that sin.
The real question, then isn’t why not all are saved. The question is why any are? The invitation is there. The answer is never given. But the door is open. Jesus, the light of the world, calls each of us to himself.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
Who do some not believe? John 12:37-43 has apostolic commentary on the topic. The people didn’t believe because Isaiah was right. Actually, because God was right when speaking to/through Isaiah. People do not believe in Jesus, the light of the world, because their eyes are blinded, their hearts are hardened. They have claimed their sinful nature as their own and God has left them mired in their unbelief. Having all the evidence, having all the signs of God’s grace, even having Christ, the Lamb of God who would take away their sin, they still would not believe. They didn’t wish to turn and be healed.
We are bound to realize that this proclamation is made with tears. Does God wish his people to be saved from sin? Yes. It is an unqualified invitation. Yet, against all reason, again and again, humans mired in their sinful nature, make idols for themselves, idols of themselves.
God’s commitment to save sinners extends so far as for God the Son to give his life to take away the sin of every last one. Yet, being dead in sin, we seek only that sin.
The real question, then isn’t why not all are saved. The question is why any are? The invitation is there. The answer is never given. But the door is open. Jesus, the light of the world, calls each of us to himself.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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