The Gospel of JohnSample

Search me Lord

In this passage, Jesus openly speaks of His approaching death. He says, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). Jesus wasn’t just predicting His crucifixion—He was revealing the purpose of it. Through His death, He would extend salvation to all who believe.

Even with such clarity and power, many still did not believe in Him. John writes that their hearts were hardened and their eyes were blinded. Why? For some, it was pride. For others, it was fear—fear of being put out of the synagogue, fear of what people might think, fear of losing their place or position. “They loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God” (John 12:43).

Pride and fear still blind hearts today. They can keep us from trusting God fully, from obeying His voice completely. Sometimes the fear is subtle—a fear of rejection, failure, or loss of control. But if we let fear or pride lead us, we’ll miss the joy of walking in faith.

I think of how I reach out to different friends for different things—some are passionate about history, others are dialed into the latest news. I know who to call depending on the topic. But with God, it’s different. He knows the past, present, and future. He isn’t just informed—He’s sovereign. He’s the one I should always go to, not as a last resort, but as the first voice I seek.

If you find yourself hesitant to obey God fully, ask: What fear is holding me back? Is it a fear of what others think? A fear of letting go of control? Or maybe a pride that says, “I know best”? Jesus invites you to trust Him—completely.

Respond to God’s Word:

Spend time in prayer asking God to search your heart for areas of unbelief. Write down one fear or area of pride that may be keeping you from full obedience. Surrender it to God and ask Him for the courage to trust Him fully—knowing He sees the end from the beginning and always leads in love.