John Bible Study - Lesson 32

John Bible Study - Lesson 32

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 12:1-18 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ² Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. ³ 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.

⁴ But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵ “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” ⁶ 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.

⁷ “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. ⁸ You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

⁹ Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, ¹¹ for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

¹² The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. ¹³ They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

¹⁴ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

¹⁵ “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
    see, your king is coming,
    seated on a donkey’s colt.”

¹⁶ 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 these things had been done to him.

¹⁷ Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word.¹⁸ Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him.

John 12:1-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead.² A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. ³ Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

⁴ But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said,⁵ “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” ⁶ Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

⁷ Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. ⁸ You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

⁹ When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, ¹¹ for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

¹² The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors ¹³ took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,

“Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!”

¹⁴ Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:

¹⁵ “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem.
Look, your King is coming,
    riding on a donkey’s colt.”

¹⁶ His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.

¹⁷ Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. ¹⁸ That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign.

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        6 days before the Passover Jesus went to Bethany to the home of Lazarus whom He raised from the dead.

·        A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor.

·        Mary anoints/rubs Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume

·        Judas, the disciple that would betray Jesus, complains that Mary is wasting the perfume which could have been used to help the poor.

·        Jesus rebukes Judas saying “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

·        When people heard that Jesus had arrived in Bethany they flocked to see Him and Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead.

·        The Chief Priests had also decided to kill Lazarus because the miracle that brought Lazarus back to life caused many people to believe and follow Jesus.

·        The Jewish leadership feared they were losing control over the people.

·        A great crowd of people hearing that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem prepared for His entry by gathering up palm branches and then lined the streets waiting to greet Him with praise and honor.

·        The people shouted: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”

·      Jesus rode in on a colt which was fulfilled the prophecy:

Zechariah 9:9 New International Version (NIV)

The Coming of Zion’s King

⁹ Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
    righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

·        The disciples at the time did not understand how this triumphal entry fulfilled prophecy. Only after Jesus returned to Heaven did they truly understand that many prophecies about the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus.

·        Many who were there to honor Jesus had witnessed the raising of Lazarus were telling others about the miracle Jesus had performed. That is why many people came to greet Him.  

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        The time is getting closer to the day of Jesus’ arrest, trial and death on the Cross.

·        While Jesus was visiting Lazarus’ home on Bethany Mary anoints Him with expensive oil/perfume showing her reverent love and gratitude for Jesus.

·        Judas’ resentment and bitterness of Mary’s act of worship is an example of how people acknowledge Jesus. Some feel Jesus is worth our deepest devotion. Others say they love Jesus but are not willing to give Him their best for selfish reasons.

·        Jesus comes to Mary’s defense because in light of what was going to happen to Him on the Cross, this one act of love needed to be acknowledged.  This was a moment that meant something to Jesus and represented how much Jesus was valued by Mary and how that value inspired her to worship.  

·        Today we can show Jesus how much we love Him by putting Him first in our lives. The way we speak, act, love and show compassion should reflect a Christ-like heart.

·        Jesus used the raising of Lazarus as well as others signs/miracles to prove to people that He was the Messiah. In the case of Lazarus, people witnessed the power and authority Jesus had to control life and death.

·        When someone comes to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior they are no longer separated from God, they cross over from death to life.

John 5:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

Not only do we cross over from death to live but we have become a new creation:

2 Corinthians 5:15-19 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

We have a new purpose and a new commission and a new way of sharing the hope we have:

Matthew 28:18-20  New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁸ Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

1 Peter 3:15-16 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

·        People who are truly followers of Jesus desert their old ways just like the people deserted the Jewish Leaders who were leading them astray.

·        Believing in Jesus and following Him leads to a transformational life experience. A Life connected with Jesus has greater purpose and meaning. You see everything through a different filter as God’s Word and the Holy Spirit enlighten you with an eternal perspective. You live with a new confidence and hope because of what God has already done and will continue to do in order to keep His promises. With an intimate daily connection with God you realize how much people matter to Him and how He will use you to help others in their need.

·        Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who were more concerned with their power, outward appearance and status rather than really caring for God’s people. Jesus rebuked Judas for His self-centered ambitions and lack of understanding of who Jesus really was. God’s people on the other hand live from the inside out.

The heart and love for one another is a mark of a true follower of Jesus:

John 13:34-35 New International Version (NIV)

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another

·        Jesus was praised when He entered the city of Jerusalem. We are to praise Jesus for who He is and what He has done to save us.

·        A relationship with Jesus does not leave us static and comfortable. We are challenged to grow in our faith and trust in God and to develop Godly character in order to impact the world around us.

We are to be Ambassadors for Christ and do everything for the glory of God:

2 Corinthians 5:20 Living Bible (TLB)

We are Christ’s ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you—be reconciled to God.

1 Peter 4:11 New International Version (NIV)

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Finally, submit to God and trust His leadership:

Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Praise and thank God every day.

·        Live a life that shows love for God and others.

·        Make time to die to self-interest and see where God takes you.

·        Share your transformational story so others can hear about God’s power, love, compassion and mercy and let that reflect in the way you live.

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        What areas of your life do you need to follow Jesus and die to self-interest?

·        What are you doing each day to praise God?

·        Are you more concerned with what you get out of life or do you find you want to give back in the same ways God has cared and provided for you?

·        Are those you admire and look up to represent good character and integrity?

·        Who will you follow?

Have a great week…………….Dave