< John 12 >

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

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,John 12:3-5XWaiting for response John 11:32,John 11:32XWaiting for response and Luke 10:39).Luke 10:39XWaiting for response

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.John 12:4-7XWaiting for response The words of Jesus: “The poor always ye have with you” v.8John 12:8XWaiting for response 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,John 12:9XWaiting for response with some being moved to believe on Jesus v.11John 12:11XWaiting for response 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.John 12:10XWaiting for response Those who did believe influenced a great many other people in favour of Jesus vs.17-18John 12:17-18XWaiting for response and when he entered Jerusalem v.12John 12:12XWaiting for response 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.John 12:13XWaiting for response 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.15John 12:15XWaiting for response (Zechariah 9:9).Zechariah 9:9XWaiting for response

Jesus knew that within a week he would be crucified and, understandably, his mind was concentrated on this v.23.John 12:23XWaiting for response 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.John 12:24XWaiting for response He urged his disciples to follow him v.26,John 12:26XWaiting for response 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.John 12:25XWaiting for response 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.27John 12:27XWaiting for response and he submitted to God’s will and glorified his name v.28.John 12:28XWaiting for response

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 14:30John 14:30XWaiting for response 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.John 12:31XWaiting for response

Jesus signified the manner of his death by the phrase: “being lifted up” vs.32-33John 12:32-33XWaiting for response 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.John 12:34XWaiting for response Nevertheless, Jesus on the cross was the means by which his people would all be drawn to him v.32,John 12:32XWaiting for response and by his death they would obtain eternal life.

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

Jesus was the manifestation of God so that those who saw him saw his Father v.45John 12:45XWaiting for response and when they believed in him they believed also in his Father v.44.John 12:44XWaiting for response 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.John 12:47XWaiting for response Jesus spoke God’s words v.48John 12:48XWaiting for response because God had commanded him what to say v.49John 12:49XWaiting for response 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.John 12:48XWaiting for response 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.John 12:50XWaiting for response