Love Lesson
Love Lesson 29: by turtle

John 12:31-50 KJV
(31) Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
(32) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
(33) This he said, signifying what death he should die.
(34) The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of
man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
(35) Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon
you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
(36) While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and
did hide himself from them.
(37) But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
(38) That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to
whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
(39) Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
(40) He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their
heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
(41) These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
(42) Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him,
lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
(43) For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
(44) Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
(45) And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
(46) I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
(47) And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
(48) He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall
judge him in the last day.
(49) For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and
what I should speak.
(50) And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I
speak.

I was doing a lot of thinking before I began to work on this lesson. What is the message hear. What do we need to understand
about the time that is in this story as well as what is getting ready to pass. Remember Jews were under Roman rule. Their
country was not their own. Jewish religious leadership had a lot of say in concern of Jewish law though taxes were paid to
Roman and government was Roman law. Any thought to someone trying to overthrow Roman rule would of been a reason to
be killed. The Pharisees seen Jesus as a threat to their way of life. God also harden the Pharisees heart from seeing the truth
about Jesus as prophesied in Isaiah. What did Isaiah actually say.

Isaiah 6:9-13 KJV
(9) And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
(10) Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear
with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
(11) Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without
man, and the land be utterly desolate,
(12) And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
(13) But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in
them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

Basically it is speaking of a time when the hearts would be harden to God’s word. Be harden to truth and would not
understand. They would be harden for the soul purpose of carrying out God’s plan which was for His Son to be crucified for
our salvation. This was also a time when other religious leaders besides the Pharisees believed but were afraid to give up their
position. When one is faced with giving up with hundreds of years of traditions and family positions it is hard to change.

There were many Jews the believed all that Christ taught and miracles he performed and understood he was the Messiah.
Those who knew God knew, knew who Christ was. The Jewish religious leaders were pretty much like religious Christians
today who say yes I go to church, but it stops their. No personal relationship with Christ but only form of religion and also
social duty.

When we think of Christ going to the cross some will say the Jews put Christ on the cross I did not. But the truth is we all
sinned we all nailed him to the cross whether we be Jew or Gentile. He came to set us free from Sin. Sin enslaves us. It can
even make our hearts hard toward God to the point we rather have the sin then a relationship to God.

One must consider for themselves who they believe Jesus to be? One needs to understand Jesus desires a relationship with us
as well as to save us from our sins if we will believe. God’s purpose and timing is always correct. He knew when He would
send the Messiah and when Jesus would die on the cross for our sins. Our hope now is in His return. But this is the thing
many have turned from the church not truly believing Christ will return. But the Bible assures us Christ will come again
someday the same way he left. He left on a cloud and will return in a cloud. All will see His return. Do you have hope in His
return. Do you truly believe this or have you fallen away?