It is nearly impossible to make someone do something! Whether they are 2, 12, or 92. We can try to sweet talk, reason with, bribe, and threaten them. But if their mind is made up, forget about it!

This reminds me of the majority of religious leaders in Jesus’ day. They heard Jesus’ teachings and would have been aware of or witnessed His miracles.

But Jesus did not fit into their preconceived mold of what the Messiah would teach or do. They refused to believe He came from God

For example, in John 11, we find Jesus’ friend, Lazarus, sick and his sisters desperately sending word to Jesus. By the time Jesus and His disciples arrive, Lazarus has been dead for four days. All hope is gone.

Then Jesus arrives . . . with power and a plan! He makes His way to Laz’s tomb. The stone sealing the entrance is moved. Jesus prays and then shouts, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43).

And . . . wait for it . . . “The dead man came out” (John 11:44a).

The results? Many put their faith in Jesus. But most religious leaders refuse to believe the evidence and eyewitness accounts. Instead, they plot how to permanently get rid of Jesus.

Jesus had previously pointed out the religious leaders’ problem, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). What a sad state!

This reminds me of the need to evaluate our thinking. Do we refuse to believe the evidence in front of us? Do we read God’s Word in search for truth and take it to heart or stubbornly ignore what it says?

Let’s do a heart check and ask the Lord. He will let us know.