SCRIPTURE: JOHN 12
JESUS ANOINTED AT BETHANY (vs. 1-11)
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him objected. He said: “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages” (v. 5). He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus replied: “Leave her alone. It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” (v. 7-8).
Meanwhile, a large crowd of Jews found out the Jesus was there came to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY (vs. 12-19)
The next day, the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. they took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,. “Hosanna!, Blessed is he who come sin the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel” (v. 12-13). Jesus found a young donkey at sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion, see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” (v. 14)
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raise him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” (v. 19)
JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH (VS. 20-36)
There were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. they said, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” (v. 21). Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. the man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. Now my heart is troubled, and what shall i say> ‘Father save me from this hours? No, it was for this very reason i cam to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” (vs. 23-27) Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again” (v. 28) The crowd that was there heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” (v. 32) He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. The crowd spoke up. “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is the Son of Man ?” (v. 34) Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light” (v. 35-36). After he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
THE JEWS CONTINUE IN THEIR UNBELIEF (vs. 37-50)
Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet” “:Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed>” (v./ 38) For this reason they could not believe because as Isaiah says elsewhere: “He has blinded their eyes ands deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn – and I would heal them” (v. 40). Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue for they loved praise form men more than praise from God.
Then Jesus said: “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me would stay in darkness. As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say” (vs. 44-50)
THOUGHTS:
Jesus took time to visit his friends and fellowship with only 6 days to live. Mary showed her adoration to Jesus by offering an expensive perfume and using her hair to wipe his feet. In contrast, Judas Iscariot exposed his greed by condemning Mary for not selling the perfume and using the money to help the poor. In reality, he was the money keeper and wanted to keep the money for himself.
Mary’s offering of perfume gave you an example to follow. Are the places where you go filled with Christ’s fragrance because of you?
Jesus looked upon His death as an opportunity to glorify God. Do you take that attitude when you face a time of trial? Jesus saw Himself as a seed that would die and product fruit. Because of his death and resurrection, he defeated Satan. The Cross would open the way of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles.
Jesus showed Israel the light, but they chose to walk in darkness. They valued the praise of men more than the praise of God. We must disown our self-centeredness so that we can serve God lovingly and freely.
If given the choice, Jesus would not like to be crucified and experienced the horrible death. But he obeyed His Father’s will to fulfill his mission as a Savior to mankind. As Christians, we are called to obedience. Whatever the Father asks, we should do his will and bring glory to His name.
Jesus told us to walk in the light. As Christians , we are to be Christ’s light bearers, letting his light shine through us. How bright is your light shinning? Can others see Christ in your actions?
People who will not take a stand for Jesus are afraid of rejection or ridicule. Many Jewish leaders would not admit to faith in Jesus because they feared excommunication from the synagogue and loss of their prestigious places in the community. But the praise of men is fickle and short-lived. We should be more concerned about God’s eternal acceptance than about the temporary approval of men.