Spiritual Blindness

May 3rd, 2026

John 7:32-36;40-53

Sermon - Pastor Scott Thompson

In John 7:32-36, the tension surrounding Jesus reaches a breaking point. The Pharisees hear the murmuring of the crowd and respond not with honest inquiry, but with hardened resolve. They send officers to arrest Him. What is striking is that Jesus is not reacting in fear. Instead, He speaks with calm authority, declaring, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me and you will not find Me. Where I am you cannot come” (ESV).

These words reveal both the sovereignty of Christ and the spiritual blindness of His hearers. Jesus is not a victim of circumstance. His timeline is set by the Father. No arrest can happen until His appointed hour. At the same time, He exposes the tragic reality of unbelief. There will come a moment when those who reject Him will seek Him, but it will be too late. Their problem is not lack of access, but lack of faith.

The crowd, especially the religious leaders, completely miss His meaning. They speculate about Him going to the Dispersion among the Greeks, showing how earthly their thinking is. They cannot grasp that He is speaking of His return to the Father. This is the natural condition of the human heart. Apart from God’s work, people interpret spiritual truth through a fleshly lens.

When we move to John 7:40-53, we see the division deepen. Some in the crowd recognize that Jesus must be the Prophet or even the Christ. Others reject Him outright, clinging to their assumptions about where the Messiah should come from. Even though they are witnessing His works and hearing His words, their conclusions are shaped more by tradition than truth.

The officers sent to arrest Jesus return empty-handed, saying, “No one ever spoke like this Man!” They are confronted by the undeniable authority of His words. Yet the Pharisees double down in their unbelief, mocking both the officers and the crowd. They appeal to their own status and knowledge of the law, revealing their pride. In contrast, Nicodemus cautiously speaks up, pointing out that the law requires a fair hearing. Even this measured defense is quickly dismissed.

What ties these passages together is the clear dividing line that Jesus creates. His presence does not produce neutral reactions. It exposes hearts. Some are drawn, others resist. Some begin to see, others dig deeper into blindness. This is not merely a historical moment, but a timeless reality. The same Christ who spoke then still confronts people today through His Word.

There is also a sobering warning here. Jesus speaks of a time when He will no longer be found by those who reject Him. This reminds us that the opportunity to come to Christ is not something to presume upon. The call to believe is urgent. At the same time, we see the comforting truth that Christ is fully in control. Nothing thwarts the plan of God, and all unfolds according to His perfect will.

In the end, the question is unavoidable. Who do you say that He is? The crowd was divided, the leaders were hardened, and a few began to wrestle with the truth. That same division still exists. But Scripture makes clear that those who truly see Him do so because God has opened their eyes.

We always encourage everyone to check everything through the lens of the Scriptures. Be like the noble Bereans of Paul's day. Please visit us here for much more, and remember, Christ is enough.

The call is urgent friends, let us continue to share the Gospel one person at a time and witness the harvest our Lord brings in! Until we meet again, lets go serve our King!

FRF Family