39Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again, 40He has blinded their eyes, and
hardened their heart; lest they should not see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them. [simple_tooltip content=’37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him,38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?”39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”’](John 12:37-40)[/simple_tooltip]
No one has ever been denied the opportunity to accept salvation [simple_tooltip content=’For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,’](Titus 2:11)[/simple_tooltip]. The Word of God declares, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:13); “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20); and “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17).
Mark 6:5 says, “He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.” In that instance, it is evident that the reason Jesus couldn’t do any miracles was not because He didn’t possess the power but because He chose not to use that power against a person’s will. He couldn’t perform the mighty works because of His decision to uphold our freedom of choice.
Furthermore, these Jews could not believe because they rejected Jesus. They could not believe because they chose not to believe. “They stumbled at the stumbling stone” (Rom. 9:32), which was Jesus.
Isaiah did not predestine people to not be saved; he just saw that very few would receive the report [simple_tooltip content=’Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’](Isa. 53:1)[/simple_tooltip] about the Messiah. They would be kept from the knowledge of salvation because they rejected Him in whom „all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found.” (Col. 2:3)
Today, be careful what you choose to receive and reject. Reject any thought or word that opposes God’s Word, but gladly receive everything spoken in the name and power of Jesus. Then you will see, understand with your heart, be changed, and be whole.
