UNBELIEF
GETS WORSE, WHILE FAITH GETS GREATER
May 20, 2012
MF Blume
John 9:16 KJV Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is
not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How
can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division
among them.
In JOHN 9 we spoke of the man born blind and was healed for the glory
of God, and how that spiritually represents someone seeing TRUTH when
they were hidden from it beforehand.
· And the Pharisees were said to be those who
could see but were made blind, since they CLAIMED they had truth but
rejected the true light.
John 9:16 KJV Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is
not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How
can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division
among them.
A DIVISION.
John 9:39-41 KJV And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this
world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might
be made blind. (40) And some of the Pharisees which were
with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
(41) Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no
sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
What he meant was that they were genuinely in sin, but claimed to see
truth.
· Their refusal to confess their sin and
accept Christ’s words when they were presented with it settled
the fact that they were indeed in sin.
· If they had said they were blind, that would
be confessing the truth that they really had nothing without Jesus, and
that acceptance of Jesus would mean they actually started to see.
· .But they said they could SEE without Him.
· They claimed to have truth without Jesus.
· Accepting Jesus would make them seek
forgiveness and admit they were blind, to lose sin and no longer have
sin.
· But because they were proud and rejected
Him, they could not have their sin taken away in forgiveness.
After talking about SEEING…
IN JOHN 10 we spoke of the SHEEP hearing his voice when Jesus entered
the temple during the time of the feast of the dedication, which was
Hanukkah.
· His words are like LIGHT.
John 10:4-5 KJV And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth
before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
(5) And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him:
for they know not the voice of strangers.
John 10:14-17 KJV I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and
am known of mine. (15) As the Father knoweth me, even so
know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
(16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them
also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one
fold, and one shepherd. (17) Therefore doth my Father love
me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
We spoke that HANUKKAH was the feast of dedication where LIGHT
miraculously shone by God so the Jews could renovate and rededicate the
temple.
· God was so willing that they renovate the
temple formerly desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes, that he
supernaturally provided them light to do so until they could formulate
their own fresh olive oil for fuel from olives.
· We showed how this speaks of supernatural
IMPARTATION OF TRUTH from JESUS by HIS WORD so that our lives like
temples are renovated back to what God wants them to be.
He then introduces the thought of DYING so that he might bring other
sheep from outside the fold in Israel to the fold to have one fold and
one shepherd for both.
· This is gentiles.
ANOTHER DIVISION OCCURS:
John 10:19-21 KJV There was a division therefore again among the
Jews for these sayings. (20) And many of them said, He hath
a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? (21) Others said,
These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the
eyes of the blind?
Three years had gone by then since Jesus started preaching, and he
would be crucified 3.5 years into His ministry.
· He was near the end.
John 11 comes into play now.
· The DIVISIONS GETS MORE STARK!
· More drastic!
· And these disciples who are already sheep
and are following Him start to see MORE INTENSE LIGHT, while the
DARKNESS GETS THICKER IN THE UNBELIEVERS.
LAZARUS TAKES SICK.
· His sisters, Mary and Martha, get frantic
for Jesus to come and save him from death.
John 11:4-7 KJV When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is
not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be
glorified thereby. (5) Now Jesus loved Martha, and her
sister, and Lazarus. (6) When he had heard therefore that
he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he
was. (7) Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us
go into Judaea again.
Notice after it says HE LOVED THESE FOLKS, it then says the strangest
thing.
· HE WAITS TWO MORE DAYS.
· This was a supernatural love.
· Beyond natural love.
· Natural love would move him to rush and
prevent the death.
· But DIVINE AGAPE LOVE is beyond that and is
into the more important things.
· IT WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO THE PEOPLE
WHOM HE TRULY LOVED TO TAKE THEM TO THE EDGE AND THEN AT THE POINT OF
GREATEST DARKNESS SHINE FORTH THE GREATEST LIGHT.
· This would not have occurred had they seen a
lesser miracle.
When he speaks of Judaea, they recall in chapter 10 that he was
threatened with stoning there.
John 11:8-10 KJV His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of
late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
(9) Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any
man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of
this world. (10) But if a man walk in the night, he
stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
He then refers to light.
· Chapter 9 stressed his TRUTH coming to a
person as someone blind who could then see!
· Chapter 10 stressed his truth as HIS VOICE
THAT ONLY HIS SHEEP CAN HEAR AND FOLLOW, while others who do not follow
are not sheep.
· His word separates people.
· Now he speaks of having TRUTH AT YOUR
DISPOSAL AND WALKING IN IT WHILE IT IS THERE< and not rejecting it.
Jesus spoke of 12 hours in every day.
· While you have TRUTH, take advantage of it
and WALK IN IT.
· Do not just treat it casually and leave
yourself outside of it.
· Live it.
· Believe it.
· It’s here now, and do not let your
life go by and not LIVE what you have been given.
· We have a DESTINATION TO REACH, and only the
AVAILABILITY OF LIGHT WILL GET YOU THERE.
· So if we reject it, night will come and
overtake us and we will stumble.
It is like the DURATION OF LIGHT in the day comes to an end, and in
this case IT WOULD END WHEN HE WOULD DIE.
· While he was the light and was with them,
before He dies and is temporarily gone, THEY MUST TAKE HIS WORD –
ALL OF IT – AND LIVE BY IT.
· He was giving them truths that were
necessary for them to hear and receive at the moment He was giving it
to them.
These folks have FAITH.
· They are following Him.
· They receive His light.
· Hear his voice.
· Were blind by now see the light.
· But he is ready to take them to a HIGHER
LEVEL.
· IN FACT, IT IS A HIGHER LEVEL OF FAITH BY
RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD, which was sort of like a forerunner of HOW
HIS OWN DEATH AND RESURRECTION WAS GOING TO TAKE THEM TO A HIGHER
LEVEL ALTOGETHER, EVEN MORESO.
But Jesus’ words also reveal more.
· When he said they must walk while it is day
lest they stumble at night, he was also ensuring them HE KNEW HOW LONG
THE LIGHT OF HIS LIFE WOULD LAST, and HE HAD TASKS TO ACCOMPLISH.
· He was not going to die before the duration
of the time for HIS LIGHT WAS OVER!
· No one was going to kill Him before his task
was complete.
Imagine the words they heard up to that point and received, but were
going to be taken to a new level altogether, while the Pharisees who
rejected him could NOT TAKE THE WORDS ON THIS LESSER LEVEL the
disciples were adhering to.
· In fact, the greater level of WORD and GLORY
from their faith, would be met with even MORE DARKNESS AND UNBELIEF in
the religious people.
UNBELIEF GETS WORSE WHILE FAITH BECOMES GREATER
John 11:11-15 KJV These things said he: and after that he saith
unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him
out of sleep. (12) Then said his disciples, Lord, if he
sleep, he shall do well. (13) Howbeit Jesus spake of his
death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in
sleep. (14) Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is
dead. (15) And I am glad for your sakes that I was not
there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
He said he was glad they were not there with Lazarus already, lest he
heal Lazarus while only sick to prevent his death, and they only see a
lesser miracle COMPARED TO SEEING THE GREATER MIRACLE OF RESURRECTION
FROM THE DEAD!!!
They already believed on Him, but He wanted them to go to a higher
level altogether!
Doubting Thomas is there, and he cannot stretch his faith more, and
simply responds saying to the others they might as well go and die.
John 11:16 KJV Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto
his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
These chapters are all about truth and faith and rising to greater
levels.
He then deals with MARTHA and stretches her faith to believe for more.
· Look how less her faith is than what He
wants her to have.
John 11:21-27 KJV Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou
hadst been here, my brother had not died. (22) But I know,
that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it
thee. (23) Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise
again. (24) Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall
rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (25) Jesus
said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth
in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (26) And
whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou
this? (27) She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that
thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
She could believe in healing for Lazarus had Jesus been there when he
was alive and sick,
· She could believe in resurrection in the end
of time when we gain new bodies.
· But she did not yet believe JESUS COULD GO
BEYOND EITHER OF THOS AND RAISE HIM UP NOW JUST BECAUSE JESUS COULD DO
SO!
He told the disciples he was glad for their sakes that he was not with
LAZARUS before he died SO THEY COULD BELIEVE FOR MORE!
Now he is stretching Martha’s faith.
Mary does the same theatrics.
John 11:32 KJV Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw
him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst
been here, my brother had not died.
John 11:39-42 KJV Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the
sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he
stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. (40) Jesus saith
unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou
shouldest see the glory of God? (41) Then they took away
the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up
his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
(42) And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the
people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast
sent me.
Here JESUS SPEAKS MORE OF THINGS DONE IN ORDER TO BRING THEM TO HIGHER
FAITH.
· He prayed audibly for others to see in order
that when the miracle happens they directly know Jesus caused it!
John 11:44-47 KJV And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and
foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin.
Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. (45) Then
many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which
Jesus did, believed on him. (46) But some of them went
their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had
done. (47) Then gathered the chief priests and the
Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many
miracles.
DIVISION AGAIN.
UNBELIEF GETS WORSE WHILE FAITH BECOMES GREATER
And something happens as the result of RESURRECTION POWER that raised
the faith of the disciples more than they had.
John 11:48-53 KJV If we let him thus alone, all men will believe
on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and
nation. (49) And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the
high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at
all, (50) Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that
one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish
not. (51) And this spake he not of himself: but being high
priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that
nation; (52) And not for that nation only, but that also he
should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered
abroad. (53) Then from that day forth they took counsel
together for to put him to death.
GOD CAUSES THIS HIGH PRIEST TO PROPHESY!
· They are afraid for ROME seeking to destroy
them due to Christ’s inciting the Jews to rise up.
· God prophesies through the HIGH PRIEST
saying ONE MAN SHOULD DIE FOR THE WHOLE PEOPLE SO THE WHOLE NATION DOES
NOT PERISH.
· They take that to mean a man must die to
spare Israel from Rome’s wrath.
· But in reality, IT WAS GOD PROPHESYING OF
THE SALVATION OF ISRAEL BY THE DEATH OF JESUS!
· He would die so they would not perish in
their sins.
· They thought he would die so they would not
perish from Rome.
· AND THE PROPHECY leaves them SEEKING TO KILL
JESUS FROM THAT DAY FORTH!
They were THAT BLIND that they twisted a prophecy from God around!
As if it was POETIC JUSTICE, after they set forth from that day to slay
Jesus, we read…
John 11:54 KJV Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the
Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a
city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
They crossed the line.
· THE TWELVE HOURS OF LIGHT WERE OUT.
· HE HID HIS TRUTH FROM THEM.
John 12 shows TRIUMPHAL ENTRY COMING NOW.
· The revelation gets brighter, and they see
him.
Look how wicked the unbelief of the Pharisees became:
John 12:9-10 KJV Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he
was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might
see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. (10)
But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to
death;
John 12:12-16 KJV On the next day much people that were come to
the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
(13) Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and
cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name
of the Lord. (14) And Jesus, when he had found a young ass,
sat thereon; as it is written, (15) Fear not, daughter of
Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
(16) These things understood not his disciples at the first: but
when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were
written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
The DISCIPLES NEVER TIED THIS TOGETHER WITH ZECH’S PROPHECY until
HIS GLORIFICATION.
The had faith increased to see JESUS RAISE THE DEAD!
· A foreshadow of his own resurrection that
would send their faith into ORBIT!
· It increased.
· But THERE IS STILL MORE THEY LACKED!
· We read that they would not see the
significance of His entry as fulfilling scripture UNTIL THEY GOT THE
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST.
Here we see reference to HIS GLORIFICATION.
· THE DAY OF PENTECOST.
Then gentiles want to see Jesus.
John 12:20-22 KJV And there were certain Greeks among them that
came up to worship at the feast: (21) The same came
therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired
him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. (22) Philip cometh
and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
And Jesus does not directly refer to the gentiles’ request, but
alludes to it very subtly.
John 12:23-24 KJV And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is
come, that the Son of man should be glorified. (24) Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and
die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Like saying, “I cannot let GENTILES see me just yet. Only
when I die like a seed and resurrect, will I see MUCH FRUIT COME FORTH,
including these gentiles. The wall is still up that divides Jew
and Gentiles together. But I will tear it down by my death!”
THEN HE MOVES INTO SOMETHING MORE DEEP AND POWERFUL.
UNBELIEF GETS WORSE WHILE FAITH BECOMES GREATER
John 12:25-27 KJV He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he
that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life
eternal. (26) If any man serve me, let him follow me; and
where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him
will my Father honour. (27) Now is my soul troubled; and
what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause
came I unto this hour.
Salvation requires us to have that much faith that we are willing to
DENY AND LOSE IT NOW, so to speak, by not going to the world and its
pleasures, so WE GET IT BACK IN RESURRECTION LIFE FOREVER.
· See resurrection life there again?
· A higher level of faith!
· AND THEN WE ARE PROMISED SOMETHING
ABSOLUTELY MONUMENTAL.
· If we follow Him, deny self in THIS
HIGHER FAITH FOR RESURRECTION, WE WILL FINALLY COME TO THE ULTIMATE!
· WHERE HE IS WE WILL BE WITH HIM.
Recall the glorification that occurred later that caused them to
finally see scripture fulfilled?
· WHEN HE ASCENDED UP INTO GLORY, and caused
salvation from his resurrection power, HE WAS SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES
FAR ABOVE ALL POWERS!
· AND HE CAUSED US TO BE SEATED TOGETHER WITH
HIM!!
KINGDOM UNION ON HIS THRONE IS THE ULTIMATE LEVEL OF FAITH!
And ONE MORE TIME GOD INCREASES THEIR FAITH.
John 12:28-30 KJV Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a
voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify
it again. (29) The people therefore, that stood by, and
heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to
him. (30) Jesus answered and said, This voice came not
because of me, but for your sakes.
Then He speaks of HIS DEATH and how through that ALL MEN WOULD BE ABLE
TO CLAIM THEY DIED WITH HIM.
John 12:31-32 KJV 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.
John 12:33 KJV This he said, signifying what death he should die.
FAITH would rise to the ultimate level in KINGDOM UNION WITH JESUS!
And in poetic justice again so clearly, summarizing the whole issue of
HIS TRUTH, we read…
John 12:35-50 KJV 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.
