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#19 – Knowing God Better – John 12

What do you do when your brother, who was dead and buried in a tomb for four days…comes back to life?

You throw a party!!!

So Mary, Martha, Lazarus have a party, in Jesus honor. (How do you thank someone who brought your brother back to life?)

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.

Q – And in true form, the religious leaders weigh in. According to these verses (below), why were the Jewish priests so opposed to Jesus?
A –

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.

Sometimes you’ll find in a section of Scripture, a main point repeated. In today’s study we’re going to see one of these.

*Glory* The priests wanted glory. In verses 12-15 we see instead, the crowd giving Jesus glory. They put palm branches on the road, and Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowd cried out:

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

We’re told that Jesus did this, “just as it is written.” Meaning, in the Old Testament, (in this case, by the prophet Zechariah.)

Then you see an interesting comment in verse 16:

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.

When did Jesus enter into his glory? It wasn’t now, as he is receiving the crowd’s praise. Here’s a clue. See what Jesus said:

23 …Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.
27 Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!” 28 Father, bring glory to your name.
32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.
33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.

Q – According to the verses above, why did Jesus come?
A –

The crowds are hoping that Jesus will be their new King. But Jesus is entering Jerusalem with a whole different agenda.

35 Jesus replied, ‘My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.’

Chapter 12 continues, and quotes the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah.

Then adds this interesting comment about Isaiah (who lived 700 years before Jesus):

41 Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory.

In contrast, we read:

42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.

And this is the zinger close:

43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

Q – On a personal level, do I, do you, live for the praise of men or the praise of God?
A –

Jesus calls us to focus on him:

46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.

An amazing offer, don’t you think?

I hope you are enjoying this study of the Gospel of John. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at EveryStudent.com.
Specifically here: www.everystudent.com/contact.php

Sincerely,

Marilyn Adamson
director of EveryStudent.com
and StartingwithGod.com

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