Willful Unbelief by E. Hilliard

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 6, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 42.

Willful Unbelief.

By E. Hilliard

We look back to the days of our Saviour and marvel at the unbelief that existed at that time when so many wonderful demonstrations of his power were manifested. Let us go to the grave of Lazarus. Around his sepulcher a large multitude had gathered. Jesus, the central figure of that age, stood beside the grave weeping. He shed not those tears in sympathy with Mary and Martha only, and because he loved Lazarus, but he looked down through the ages upon the countless line of tombs; he heard the sobbings, and saw the tears of the mourners; he saw millions of human forms crumbling back to dust; with this scene before him, he wept in sympathy with all who weep at the portals of the dead. More than all, he wept at the unbelief that he knew would hinder the sorrowing ones from receiving that help and comfort which he alone could give.

How careful he was to direct the minds of the people toward Heaven. After the stone was rolled away from the sepulcher, he raised his voice to his Father in prayer: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me; and I knew that thou hearest me always; but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." How his anxious heart ever yearned over the people whose minds were darkened by sin. How desirous he was of convincing them of that which would prove their highest interest. He knew that they must believe on him or perish. "For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we may be saved."

With what eager eyes they must have watched him to see if he could call back to life him who had already begun to decay. As his voice rolled out in thunder tones, "Lazarus come forth," it jarred upon the ear of the dead, and the sleeper arose. After he had performed this great miracle, did they all believe that he was the Messiah? No; the wicked Pharisees immediately held a council how they might destroy him. They said, "If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." Their unbelief was willful. Their saying that "all men will believe on him," was an acknowledgment that such evidence as they had just witnessed was sufficient to produce belief in any reasonable mind.

When men reject such clear demonstrations of truth, they seem to be given over to the full control of Satan, and it is astonishing to see to what lengths in sin they will be impelled. Satan was the originator of sin and death. It is his work to get men into the tomb, and he is offended when they are taken out. These wicked Pharisees were actuated by him to lay plots not only to destroy Christ, but to kill Lazarus. They very well knew that as long as Lazarus lived he would be a living monument of Christ's Messiahship; hence their plot to place him again in the tomb. Willful unbelief may always be detected by the way in which it receives overwhelming evidence. Instead of accepting it joyfully, it will seek to remove the evidence. Then when this is done, or the unbelievers have shut their eyes to the proof, they will say, "I see nothing; if I could only see convincing evidence, I would believe; the Lord will never condemn a man for unbelief when he has no evidence." Such unbelief can have but one end. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soeth that shall he also reap."

E. HILLIARD.