John told us that Caiaphas actually prophesied when he said it was better for one man to die than for the whole nation to perish. he unknowingly was prophesying about the substitutionary atonement of Jesus - He died to pay the penalty for us for our sin - in our place.
Jesus performed an undeniable miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. But instead of believing Jesus was the Christ - the things of this world drove them to want to kill Jesus - to protect their place with the Romans. Their own agenda kept them from believing in Jesus.
Many times we think we have to provide just the right argument to convince someone to receive Christ as Savior. The truth is that people understand the salvation plan - they even agree with it as truth - but they don't want to trust in Jesus because of its implications - they would have to give up something - a favorite sin, a different lifestyle, new friends, etc. - the cost of discipleship is just too high.
Consider asking a rejector of Christ, "Suppose you did become a Christian, what do you think would have to change in your life?" You may get a very revealing answer. The answer may be the real issue - not wanting to part with it.
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