It is hard trying to figure out who will and who will not trust in Jesus Christ and be saved.

John 1:11 says, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”  Precisely the people who were supposed to be awaiting the Messiah rejected Him.  He did miracles among them and yet they did not believe (John 12:37).  Isaiah prophesied it (Isaiah 53:1) – “Who has believed what they heard from us?  And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

No one can believe unless they hear the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17).  Israel heard the word of the Messiah, but darkness blinded them.  The darkness was human pride and passion.  John 12:43 tells us that people “loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”  Often, confessing the name of Jesus Christ in public is not popular.  So, people do not witness.  And by not witnessing, their faith grows weaker.  Exercised faith grows; dormant faith shrinks.

Israel’s unbelief had a benefit. Isaiah 65:1 says, “I [God] was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.  I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ to a nation that was not called by my name.”  God reveal Himself to Gentiles in Jesus Christ.

Through the cross, Jesus Christ untied both Jew and Gentile.  He opened the doors to heaven to all who receive the gift of faith that comes by hearing the Word of Christ.

Today is Ash Wednesday.  We wear a cross of ashes upon our foreheads.

It is a witness:  we are sinners needing to be cleansed by the blood of Christ. We need Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives.  "I

believe; [Lord] help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24).  Amen.   

Pastor Raymond Van Buskirk, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX www.rlcbaytown.org