What Grieves the Heart of Jesus?

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light … He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light” (John 1:6-8).

We are told that Jesus is the light of the world, “that all through him might believe” (1:7). Yet, we read, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it … He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (1:5, 11).

Unbelief has always grieved the heart of Jesus. When he came to earth in the flesh, he brought great light into the world that was meant to open the eyes of men. Yet, in spite of this amazing show of light, Scripture speaks of examples of unbelief.

One such example is seen at Bethany when Jesus was having supper in the home of his friends Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus, whom Christ had raised from the dead. At the time, crowds were passing through town on their way to the Passover feast at Jerusalem and they were intent on catching a glimpse of the man being called Messiah and the man he had resurrected (see John 12:1-9).

In the same chapter, we find these people waving palm branches and singing hosannas to Jesus as he enters Jerusalem on a donkey. They were seeing the fulfillment of a prophecy they had heard all their lives (see Zechariah 9:9). Finally, a voice came thundering from heaven as the Father glorified his own name (see John 12:30).

Each of these things happened before a huge throng of religious people, but still the people asked a question that absolutely stunned Jesus: “Who is this Son of Man?” (12:34). Their blindness was astounding and the Lord warned: “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you” (12:35).

Jesus’ words here apply to Christians who refuse to mix the Word they hear with faith. They neglect to grasp, embrace and walk in the light they’ve been given and one day they will realize, “God doesn’t speak to me anymore.”

Beloved, accept God’s miracle-working power in your life; it will empower you to walk in freedom and assurance. When hard times come to you, you can say with confidence, “I’ve seen your light, Lord. Work your miracles in me again!”