It’s hard to believe that the doubters and those who believed originally stood side by side. They might have been family members, raised by the same parents, taught the same truths, participants in the same religious ceremonies. But in a moment one saw Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the other cried out, crucify Him! What made the difference between the two? It had to be God for "THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD!” God makes the difference between one man and another raising one from spiritual death to life, while leaving the other in his sin and unbelief. Salvation is of the Lord! Consider . . .

Romans 9:15 . . . "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." 16 So then it (meaning salvation) does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. . . 27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED. Now look at . . .

John 1:10-13 He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, (to the Jews first) and those who were His own did not receive Him. (however, a small number did and John now tells us why) 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, (born again) not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Salvation is of and by the Lord! Look also at . . .

John 10:22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. 24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, (the promised Messiah) tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 "But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 "I and the Father are one." 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.

Not all the Jews picked up stones, not everyone cried “crucify Him!” The ones to whom the books of James and Hebrews were written, bowed low and believed because God the Holy Spirit had raised them from spiritual death; He had given them new hearts, minds, eyes, ears, the gifts of repentance and faith in Christ so that they became the children of God. The unbelieving Jews turned on the followers of Jesus and persecuted them relentlessly.