< John 12 >

Six days before the Passover at which Jesus would be crucified, he met with Lazarus and his two sisters in Bethany vs.1-2Waiting for response for John 12:1-2 when Mary anointed his feet with costly ointment and dried them with her hair v.3.Waiting for response for John 12:3

We read of Mary three times in the scriptures and on each occasion we find her at Jesus’ feet with her actions misunderstood (vs.3-5,Waiting for response for John 12:3-5 John 11:32,Waiting for response for John 11:32 and Luke 10:39).Waiting for response for Luke 10:39

We should follow Mary's example and, as it were, sit at Jesus’ feet to learn his teaching, even if other people misunderstand us. Judas, the betrayer, objected to the money being spent on ointment, ostensibly speaking on behalf of the poor but in reality caring for the money as he was a thief vs.4-7.Waiting for response for John 12:4-7 The words of Jesus: “The poor always ye have with you” v.8Waiting for response for John 12:8 are often quoted out of context, but he cared for the poor more than anyone else. Nevertheless, there is a time for everything and the period just before his death was a time for giving consideration to him, which Mary did. We should care for the poor and needy as we have opportunity, but not thereby neglecting service to God and to Christ.

The presence of Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead impressed many people v.9,Waiting for response for John 12:9 with some being moved to believe on Jesus v.11Waiting for response for John 12:11 but the chief priests manifested their wickedness by scheming to put Lazarus to death to remove this overwhelming evidence that Jesus came from God v.10.Waiting for response for John 12:10 Those who did believe influenced a great many other people in favour of Jesus vs.17-18Waiting for response for John 12:17-18 and when he entered Jerusalem v.12Waiting for response for John 12:12 the multitude cast branches of palm trees in his path, proclaiming: “Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” v.13.Waiting for response for John 12:13 Appropriately, Jesus entered into the capital city riding on an ass, for this was the regal mode of transport of the kings of Israel who were forbidden by God to possess horses, and in so doing fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah: “Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt” v.15Waiting for response for John 12:15 (Zechariah 9:9).Waiting for response for Zechariah 9:9

Jesus knew that within a week he would be crucified and, understandably, his mind was concentrated on this v.23.Waiting for response for John 12:23 He was giving up his natural life but he would gain eternal life by resurrection, and the consequence of his sacrifice would be extremely fruitful v.24.Waiting for response for John 12:24 He urged his disciples to follow him v.26,Waiting for response for John 12:26 not in a literal crucifixion, but in a crucifixion of the flesh in a life of service to the Lord: “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal” v.25.Waiting for response for John 12:25 Jesus was greatly troubled by the prospect of torture and death before him but he recognised that his whole life had been leading to this sacrifice v.27Waiting for response for John 12:27 and he submitted to God’s will and glorified his name v.28.Waiting for response for John 12:28

God was glorified and his righteousness declared by the sacrifice of Christ, and sin, the great enemy of mankind and the spirit that pervades the rulers of the world, was overcome. “The prince of this world” in the person of the Jewish authorities would soon come and take him John 14:30Waiting for response for John 14:30 but by his death sin, which pays the wages of death, would be destroyed - “the prince of this world would be cast out” v.31.Waiting for response for John 12:31

Jesus signified the manner of his death by the phrase: “being lifted up” vs.32-33Waiting for response for John 12:32-33 as he would die on the cross, but the people had no understanding that their Messiah would be crucified before resurrection and glory v.34.Waiting for response for John 12:34 Nevertheless, Jesus on the cross was the means by which his people would all be drawn to him v.32,Waiting for response for John 12:32 and by his death they would obtain eternal life.

The prophets of old had foretold both his death and glory v.41Waiting for response for John 12:41 but they also spoke of the people’s refusal to accept the word of God vs.38-40Waiting for response for John 12:38-40 (Isaiah 6:9-10Waiting for response for Isaiah 6:9-10 and Isaiah 53:1).Waiting for response for Isaiah 53:1 Most were not even persuaded by the miracles he performed v.37Waiting for response for John 12:37 but some did believe, even among the rulers but these were afraid to admit it v.42Waiting for response for John 12:42 because they loved the praise of men more than that of God! v.43.Waiting for response for John 12:43

Jesus was the manifestation of God so that those who saw him saw his Father v.45Waiting for response for John 12:45 and when they believed in him they believed also in his Father v.44.Waiting for response for John 12:44 Jesus came to save the world, and men and women will be saved from death if they believe the words of the Father that Jesus spoke, otherwise they will be judged adversely v.47.Waiting for response for John 12:47 Jesus spoke God’s words v.48Waiting for response for John 12:48 because God had commanded him what to say v.49Waiting for response for John 12:49 therefore, said Jesus: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” v.48.Waiting for response for John 12:48 This is a dire warning to us to give due respect to God’s word, but Jesus did not warn only, he also encouraged his disciples by the assurance that belief and obedience to the word of God will bring everlasting life v.50.Waiting for response for John 12:50