And Still…They Don’t Believe ​

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: John 12:37

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Hello everyone, and greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus.

 

Welcome to  This Week’s Clinic for our Spiritual Body Clinic. We ended our last clinic covering Healing Spiritual Cancer. It is a joy and a privilege to gather with you today as we embark on a meaningful journey together, a path marked not by judgment or condemnation, but by hope, healing, and restoration. I want to invite you to open your heart and allow yourself to be present in this moment.

 

Today’s clinic is entitled,  And Still…They Don’t Believe

(John 12:36-43)  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.  But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:  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?  Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 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. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. 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: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

While ye have light, believe in the light… that ye may be the children of light.”

 

But though he had done so many miracles before them “…yet they believed not on Him.”

Friends, this verse ought to bother us. Not because they didn’t see enough…But because they saw too much.

And still…They didn’t believe.

 

Let’s first look at some of the miracles that Jesus performed in front of them:

A ruler came to Jesus and said, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.  As He is on his way to heal the ruler’s daughter, a woman that had suffered 12 years with an issue of blood, reached out and simply touched the hem of his garment and she was healed. He arrived at the ruler’s house and raised from the dead his 12-year-old daughter. When He left there two blind men were in the way and He healed them also. And there were many more healings and deliverances after those.

I could go on and on but those are to show you what they had witnessed Jesus do. And the bible says, But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

Why didn’t they believe?

Because human beings don’t change their minds based on facts alone. Human beings change their minds based on identity, emotion, safety, and what the truth means for them. “It wasn’t lack of light—it was love of darkness… it wasn’t absence of proof—it was fear of what belief would cost.”

Why didn’t they believe?

1. Because they wanted to protect their Identity. There in John 12  it says, 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: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

They didn’t believe because belief would have forced a confession.

If they changed their opinion that would force them to admit that they had misjudged Jesus,” or

They would have to acknowledge “They were wrong about him,” or “what they were teaching was wrong.”

And when identity is threatened…the mind chooses comfort…over accuracy.

Why didn’t they believe?

2. Because of their Emotional investment. Again the bible says there in John 12 : For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Sometimes the beliefs are tied to loyalty, past experiences, personal hurt, or to pride.

When emotions are involved, facts feel secondary.

Why didn’t they believe?

3. Because of Confirmation bias. Confirmation bias is a mental shortcut where we notice, seek out, and give more weight to information that supports what we already believe, while downplaying or ignoring information that challenges it.

 Jesus didn’t fit what they already believed.

People naturally look for information that supports what they already believe and ignore what contradicts it. And when truth contradicts what’s planted in the heart…
even miracles get explained away.

Why didn’t they believe?

4. They didn’t believe because of Social pressure.

Believing Jesus meant isolation.
Loss of position.
Loss of belonging.

If their colleagues in the synagogue, their friends, family, or community hold a certain view, changing their mind might feel like betrayal. Believing Jesus would seem like isolation and losing belonging to the group.

So they stayed with the group… not the truth.

When someone sees proof that contradicts what they believe, the mind experiences discomfort. And to reduce that discomfort, people reject the new information instead of adjusting their belief.

What this means in real relationships is when someone refuses to change their opinion about a person—even after seeing and hearing proof—it usually says more about their internal world than it does about the person they’re judging.

Well let’s move on. Still the bible says,  But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him.  Not only had they seen miracles, but they had also heard him preach. His message was Matthew 4:17…Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist had preached the same message as recorded in Matthew 3:2. After John had preached the gospel he was placed into prison. When you are locked up your mind become more active. So behind those locked doors. He began to ponder about some of the sermons he had preached. His thoughts fell on Jesus. Somehow after pointing Jesus out to the people saying, Behold the Lamb of God, some disturbing thoughts entered his mind and in Matthew 11:2-5   Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, (3)  And said unto him, ask him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Go back to my theme: And Still…They Don’t Believe. But Jesus didn’t argue

He pointed to facts

He sent word back to John (4)  Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

Tell John (5)  The blind receive their sight,

Tell John that the lame walk,

Tell John  the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear,

Tell Him the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

And Still…They Don’t Believe

Let me get back to my text. John 1:4-9

(4)  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.(5)  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Let’s Look at Where this source of light is coming from. The Source of the Light

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4)

The Light is not information—

The light is a Person-- John 8:12   Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world.

 Jesus didn’t come just to tell us about God, or to just give us information about God. He came to show us God in person.

Go with me to John 14:9-10  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (10)  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Let’s look at what this light was for. The Purpose of the Light. When you turn on a light in a dark room, when it is turned on it reveals what is in that room.

Jesus said, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The purpose of the light is to show us where to walk. If you follow in Jesus’ footsteps He will lead you in the path of righteousness.

The purpose of Jesus coming into the world is to shine the light to reveal truth - he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness. Jesus came to expose darkness.

The darkness that is being revealed is a dominion. A dominion is a territory over which rule or control is exercised. When Adam and Eve sinned and were cast out of the Garden of Eden, they fled into the devils territory or into his dominion. The devil’s domain is called darkness. When you are in the devil’s dominion you are separated from God.

The purpose of the light is to show us that we are separated from God so that we can respond, that mean so that we can walk in the light, and not be stumbling in darkness. (Jesus said) he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

If you follow Jesus you will no longer be in the dominion of darkness you won’t be in the devil’s territory. Darkness and Light cannot coexist together. If you are walking with Jesus you are walking in the light. Therefore the devil has no dominion over you, which mean he has no governing authority, no ruling jurisdiction or any control over where you have chosen to be in the light with Jesus.

This darkness that I am talking about is not the lack of light; it is rebellion against it. It is life severed from God, wandering without truth, direction, or hope. To walk in the Light is to follow God Himself. The devil reigns in darkness because darkness is separation from God—and separation from God is death.

Darkness is described as life disconnected from God, who is identified as Light. In Scripture, light flows from God’s life; darkness exists where that life is rejected or ignored. This is why darkness is often linked with spiritual death rather than just not knowing about God. Let’s look in Luke 12:47-48 (47)  And that servant, which knew his lord's will,  this is the person who has seen the light, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, and he had a chance to come out of the darkness, shall be beaten with many stripes. (48)  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. That is the person that haven’t seen the light, nor they have not known about God. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Genesis 2:16-17 records God commanding Adam not to eat from the tree of knowledge, warning of death for disobedience. Despite knowing God's command, Adam and Eve chose otherwise. In Genesis 3:7-8, after eating the fruit, they realized their nakedness and hid from God. As a result, per Genesis 3:23-24, they were expelled from Eden. 1 Corinthians 15:22 explains that while all die through Adam, all can be made alive in Christ.

Spiritual Darkness is Spiritual Blindness. Spiritual Blindness or spiritual Darkness means the inability—or refusal—to see truth, even when it is clearly revealed. As I have said, the problem is not that the Light did not shine, but that people “comprehended it not” (John 1:5). Spiritual Darkness or spiritual blindness clouds perception and distorts judgment. James 4:17   Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Spiritual Darkness is Moral and Inner Corruption

Spiritually, darkness is associated with sin that is protected rather than confessed. It is a place where behavior, motives, and desires remain hidden because exposure would demand change. Again the bible says, James 4:17   Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. People loved darkness because light reveals what must be surrendered.

Spiritual Darkness is Resistance, Not Ignorance

One of the strongest themes in this series of sermons is that darkness is chosen, not accidental. People remain in darkness not because evidence is lacking, they saw the miracles and they heard the word, but because truth threatens their comfort, their control, or their reputation. This is why miracles did not force belief and why delay hardened hearts. And Still…They Don’t Believe

Spiritual Darkness is A Temporary Condition with Eternal Consequences

Spiritual Darkness is often shown as something that advances when light is ignored. “Light ignored becomes light withdrawn.” Spiritually, darkness grows when truth is postponed, rationalized, or re-labeled.

 “And Still…They Don’t Believe”

You can truthfully say: “Jesus wasn’t rejected because He was unclear.
He was rejected because of the labels the people chose to put on him and that allowed them to stay comfortable.”

They called Him: Teacher — but not Lord. They called him-Prophet — but not Messiah. They called Him -Carpenter — but not Creator. They called Him-Blasphemer — instead of Son of God

Labels became a shield against conviction.

John 12:37–43 — Labels as a Refuge from Belief

“But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him.” (v.37)

Even Nicodemus called Him-  “Teacher / Rabbi” — He used A Safe Label That Avoided Submission

Calling Him Teacher allowed admiration without surrender. The people acknowledged Jesus as a teacher, but belief stopped short of trust and obedience.

John 12:37-38

(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?

Verse 37 states plainly: they saw the miracles, yet refused belief.

Let’s make a Connection with this to Isaiah (v.38): “Lord, who hath believed our report?”

They accepted His words as interesting—but not as authoritative over their lives.

They learned from Him, but they would not follow Him.

Some call Him “Prophet” — Partial Truth That Prevented Full Faith

John 12:37–39

• Many believed Jesus was from God, but not God Himself.

• A prophet can be heard and ignored; a Messiah must be obeyed.

• Verse 39 says, “Therefore they could not believe…” — not because evidence was lacking, but because belief would redefine everything.

Calling Jesus a prophet let them honor Him without yielding to Him.

III. “Carpenter / Son of Joseph” — Familiarity Used to Dismiss Revelation

John 12:37

• Miracles confronted their assumptions, but the label ordinarily protected their comfort.

• Seeing Him as “one of us” made it easier to explain Him away.

“Though he had done so many miracles before them…” The problem was not the absence of power, but the peoples refusal to recognize the power.

When faced with revelation or recognition, people often cling to what they know to protect their pride.

IV. “Blasphemer” — A Label Used to Justify Rejection

John 12:40

“He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart…”

• This verse does not mean God removed evidence; it means persistent rejection led to spiritual blindness.

• Calling Jesus a blasphemer reversed the guilt—they judged the Light instead of being judged by it.

When truth becomes unbearable, people redefine righteousness.

V. “Messiah” — Believed Privately but Not Confessed Publicly

John 12:42 “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him…”

• They believed internally, but labels protected their position.

• Silence became a strategy for survival.

Private belief without confession is belief held hostage by fear.

VI. Some refused to call Him “Lord” — That’s the Unspoken Label That Exposed the Heart

John 12:43

“For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

• This verse explains every label placed on Jesus.

  • Anything that stopped short of Lord helps them preserved: their reputation, their influence, and their belonging.

What they called Jesus revealed what they loved most.

Now John doesn’t just show us people who wouldn’t believe in the Light…he also shows us what happens when believers stop walking in it.
Because unbelief isn’t the only danger—retreat is too.” Let’s take a look at this example in

John 21:1-14. Jesus being absent from the disciples for a few days, Peter backslide; and returned to his old way of life. He told the other disciples that he was going back to fishing. The six other disciples decided to go fishing with him. They fished all night and caught nothing. This is like it was at the beginning of their calling. Let’s look at this in John 21:1-14

(1)  After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. (2)  There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. (3)  Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. (4)  But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. (5)  Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. (6)  And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. (7)  Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. (8)  And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. (9)  As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. (10)  Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. (11)  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. (12)  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. (13)  Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. (14)  This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Peter doesn’t argue theology. He didn’t even demand proof. When he knew it was Jesus calling, he jumps into the water, That’s surrender.

I’m closing with this.

“Some of you aren’t rejecting Jesus—you’re just fishing again. You believe… but you’ve gone quiet, you’ve quit doing what you were called to do. You’ve gone back to what feels safe.”

Doing so you are doing as they did, you’re putting your label on Him, you’re saying He is a good Teacher — but not Lord. You’re calling Him a Prophet — but not your Messiah, You’re calling Him Joseph and Mary’s baby the carpenter but — not Creator. People are calling Him everything else — instead of Son of God

And still…they don’t believe.

Like Jesus, I want to know, what do you call Him.

Matthew 16:15-16

(15)  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (16)  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Friends…this is the line that ought to shake us: And Still…They Don’t Believe. That means they weren’t missing evidence—they were missing surrender. They didn’t reject Jesus because they couldn’t see…they rejected Him because they wouldn’t pay the cost of stepping into the Light. And tonight, the Holy Ghost is pressing the same question on every heart: Whose approval are you living for? Because if the praise of people can silence your confession, then people have become your prison. If fear of what they’ll say can keep you from coming, then fear is your master. But hear me—this moment is not promised again. Don’t leave this place still loving the applause of men more than you love the Almighty. Don’t stay in the darkness because you’re trying to protect an image that cannot save you. The Light is shining right now. Jesus is calling you right now. Step out of your hiding place. Step out of silence. Step out of “almost” and into “Yes Lord.” If you know you’ve been choosing acceptance over obedience, comfort over conviction, reputation over repentance—come now. Let the praise of men go. Choose the praise of God. The door of the church is open, the invitation is real, and the time is now.

Do this for yourself. 1. Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and continue in your belief in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 2. If you continue in your belief and get baptized will be saved.

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If you need help in believing in Jesus, contact us immediately.

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This is the beginning of a series of lessons on And Still…They Don’t Believe. Please join me in the next lesson entitled Jesus Is the Light — Revealed, Not Hidden​