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John 12
Joh 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where
Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
Joh 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of
them that sat at the table with him.
Lazarus was raised in a natural body and not a glorified one like we receive at
the second coming of Christ. He probably lived to die again later in life. The
whole resurrection showed us that Jesus was the Son of God and had the power of
resurrection. Though we die in Christ, yet we live. This is why Jesus came. We
had no hope of eternal life in Heaven with a new body that can never die before
the coming of Jesus. Our sins doomed us to a burning hell with no hope of
redemption. Jesus came to sacrifice Himself as payment for our sins. To believe
in Him means that we then repent or turn from sins and trust Jesus for our
salvation. It is unmerited grace given to those who believe in Jesus as savior
and Lord.
Joh 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and
anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was
filled with the odor of the ointment.
Joh 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which
should betray him,
Joh 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to
the poor?
Sometimes we worry about whether to find fault or whether to keep silence. We
don't always know when our speaking is fussing about trivial things or whether
we are contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. In this case we
see clearly the motive of Judas. He was fault finding in the wrong way. He of
course cared nothing for the poor but was concerned about the price of the
ointment. This is an example of the wrong kind of fault finding.
Joh 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a
thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Joh 12:7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she
kept this.
Joh 12:8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
Jesus said in other places that we are to give to the poor so we know this
saying is no excuse for neglecting the poor. Mary was giving a sacrifice and
offering from her heart knowing what was to befall Jesus shortly. Her gift was
love and she had no ulterior motive for this act of kindness.
Joh 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they
came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had
raised from the dead.
Joh 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to
death;
They wanted to get rid of all evidence of the power of Jesus, the power of His
resurrection and anything which caused the people to believe in Him. It is said
that many of the chief priests were Sadducees which didn't believe in the
resurrection.
Joh 12:11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and
believed on Jesus.
Joh 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they
heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
Joh 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried,
Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Joh 12:14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is
written,
Joh 12:15 Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an
ass's colt.
This is Old Testament prophecy found in
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of
Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation;
lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
The Old Testament was the only scripture they had at that time in history. It
must be read to see the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah. Yet in
some things we must read but realize that Jesus fulfilled those things and they
are no longer necessary. One of these is the Old Testament type of worship given
to the children of Israel setting up the priesthood, the tithing system,
sacrifices, ordinances and such things that pointed to the perfect one to come.
They had to worship in a certain place and had to depend on priests, prophets
and the high priest to intercede and lead in worship. Through Christ we now can
worship Him in spirit and in truth and need no other intercessor although the
church is given apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers for the edifying of the
church and teaching
.
We see in the New Testament book of Acts and the epistles that there is no
longer any set formula for worship but we are free to worship in spirit and in
truth either as individuals or as a church. We are exhorted both by the apostles
and in the book of Revelation to avoid idolatry and fornication in our worship.
Our ministry is to spread the gospel, to teach and make disciples and to pray
continually without ceasing. We are to comfort, edify and care for one another's
needs. Whether we sing first or hear the word first, or pray first is not the
main issue.
I do notice less praying and the teaching of the word in today's worship
services. The apostles gave themselves continually in the word and in prayer. I
get concerned that we are heading into too much entertainment in order to get in
the crowds. However, I'm not a pastor so my job is to pray continually for them
and not to find fault. They carry a burden that I couldn't carry. However, it
would be a shame if we had to rely on the Internet for bible instruction and
teaching if it is neglected in our churches. While I find a lot of good sermons
online, there are also a lot of nonsense too.
Joh 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when
Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him,
and that they had done these things unto him.
This could happen to us to. We may hear something that we don't understand and
the time but some event later could bring that word to our remembrance and we
begin to understand something that wasn't clear before.
Joh 12:17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out
of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
Joh 12:18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he
had done this miracle.
Joh 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye
prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
Joh 12:20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at
the feast:
Joh 12:21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee,
and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
When we gather to together to worship will our visitors see Jesus? Will they
hear the gospel that will save their souls? It would also be a crying shame if
they would come in and have to ask us if they could see Jesus.
Joh 12:22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell
Jesus.
Joh 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man
should be glorified.
Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the
ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Jesus was reminding us that He had to die in order to save us from sin. There
was no other way for any soul to be saved. One lone seed could not produce
anything if it is not planted in the ground as a dead seed. The seed has to die
first and then be planted to bring forth fruit. His death was necessary to usher
in the plan of salvation for the whole world. It only counts for those that
believe this. If our gardens would produce corn and beans, it would profit us
only if we picked the vegetables and ate them. If we left them lie in the ground
we would not reap the benefits of it. Although we believe the food is there, it
would not profit if we didn't partake of the food. Although Jesus died for
all mankind, both men, women and children, it doesn't profit anyone unless we
come to Jesus in faith and believe in Him. Believe as I've stated many times
means to believe in His deity, His word and do what He says.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life
in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
We have to hate our life in this world to be saved. To love the world would keep
us from Jesus. We can't have both. We can't serve God and love the world. Hating
our life in this world means that we turn from it repenting of sin and turn our
lives over to Jesus.
1John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If
any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall
also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.
Joh 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from
this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
Joh 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying,
I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Joh 12:29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it
thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
Joh 12:30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for
your sakes.
Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world
be cast out.
In order to redeem the earth back to God, Jesus had to go through this time of
suffering, death, burial and resurrection paying the price of sin and redeeming
us back to God who created us. Adam was given dominion over the earth. When he
sinned, Satan was able to become the prince of the world and bring in much
sorrow and suffering. A man sinned bringing in this curse. A man's righteousness
had to get it back for us. That was Jesus the perfect sacrifice that had no sin
but bore our sins. Now we can get victory of Satan's hold on our individual
lives and when Jesus returns Satan literally will be cast out of this
world and the hold he has had over it.
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
All men of course is understood to mean all who believe including women and
children not just adult males.
Joh 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Joh 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ
abideth forever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is
this Son of man?
Blindness still covered their eyes for they could not see past physical death
into eternal life and the resurrection. Jesus had to be a son of man in order to
be able to die for man. He also had to be the Son of God because no ordinary man
could have lived on the earth without sin. If Jesus would have sinned just once,
He could not have been the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Joh 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with
you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that
walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Joh 12:36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children
of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from
them.
Those that still do not believe in Jesus the light of the world is abiding in
darkness. We can be His vessels to bring others into the light of the gospel.
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring
glad tidings of good things!
Joh 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they
believed not on him:
Joh 12:38 That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he
spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord
been revealed?
This is found in Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the
arm of the LORD revealed?
Joh 12:39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again,
Joh 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should
not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and
I should heal them.
Isa 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand
not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Isa 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut
their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
I'm reminded of the man that begged Abraham to allow someone that was raised
from the dead to witness to his brothers so that they would not come to the
place of torment that this man was in. Abraham said that if they would not hear
the words of the prophets and Moses then they would not believe in one that was
raised from the dead.
If these people would not believe from hearing the word, they would not believe
because of the miracles. Miracles are great but they have a way of disappearing.
We don't always see miracles and one usually has to believe the word first to
see one. The ones who believe because of miracles are the ones who would have
believed by the hearing of the word also. Those that reject the word will
usually forget the miracles after a few trials in this life. That is why the
teaching of the word is so important to maintain our faith.
Joh 12:41 These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
Joh 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but
because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out
of the synagogue:
Joh 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
We will have to decide at one point in our lives whether we want God enough to
confess Him openly without shame.
Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall
the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his
Father's, and of the holy angels.
We must not be ashamed of Jesus or ashamed of His word.
Joh 12:44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me,
but on him that sent me.
Joh 12:45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
Joh 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me
should not abide in darkness.
Joh 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I
came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Joh 12:48 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.
Joh 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave
me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
Joh 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I
speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
To reject the words of Jesus is to reject the words of God. To reject Jesus is
to reject God. Here we see Jesus pouring out His soul to these who were finding
fault with Him. He still pleads with us through faithful teachers who are crying
out, "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand." "Repent, and believe the
gospel."
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