Today’s passage: John 12:20-26

Helpful thoughts:

• “Greeks” simply refers to Gentiles.  These men could have been from anywhere outside of Israel.
  • The point is that salvation is coming to the world.  To the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).
  • What Christ says in the following verses can be cherished by Jews, and anyone else in the world, who places their faith in Christ!
• Christ was about to die to bear much fruit.
• To love or hate “this life” refers to the temporal pleasures of this earth.
  • Loving Christ and eternal life results in self-sacrificial living in this world.  This is following Jesus.

Questions to consider:

1. What is the fruit which has been and continues to be born from the death of Jesus Christ?
2. When do temporal pleasure in this physical earthly life become sinful?  What are some examples of times we proactively disobey God in order to pursue earthly pleasures?  What are some examples of times we omit obedience to God because we fear missing out on or losing our earthly pleasures?  Why is knowing and enjoying Jesus better than any pleasure this world could offer?
3. Why did Jesus say it was time for Him to be glorified?  Why is the crucifixion of Jesus the glorification of Jesus?

Today’s passage: John 12:9-19

Helpful thoughts:

• When given the opportunity to believe based on objective, undeniable proof or to get rid of the evidence (Lazarus), the Jewish leaders chose to get rid of the evidence.  They made plans to put him to death as well.
  • “This is not rational behavior, but sin produces irrational action.” (ESV Study Bible)
  • Not all shared the same goals.  Many believed!
• There are key Old Testament passages referenced or quoted in the Triumphal Entry:
  • Psalm 118:19-26
  • Zechariah 9:9
• The people who hailed their King’s entrance into the city had the right person, but they did not yet understand the purpose of His arrival.  He had not come to defeat Rome, but to defeat sin.

Questions to consider:

1. How did this event cement in the minds of the Jewish leaders what they thought they had to do?  How did their response give evidence to their resolve to put Jesus to death?
2. There could have been three categories of people at this event:  1) Those who did not believe Jesus was the promised Messiah.  2) People who believed Jesus was the Messiah but were only interested in their political advantage and personal interests.  3) People who believed and were ready to bow the knee to their Lord and Savior.  What is the difference between categories 2 and 3?  How could these categories be visible still today?
3. Even though Jesus would be crucified before the end of the week, why was this entry still “triumphal?”  What victory was won through this final journey of His into Jerusalem?

Today’s passage: John 12:1-8

Helpful thoughts:

• Lazarus was still alive and well.
• Judas spoke out with a “holier-than-thou” attitude.  His outward religiosity was a cover for his inward rebellion and greed.
  • The perfume was worth almost a year’s salary.  He couldn’t resist opening his mouth.
• Because the motive behind Judas’ rebuke was not known by the rest, Jesus responded in a way that could have been a blessing for all around to hear.
  • He told Judas to leave Mary alone.
  • He encouraged Mary in what she had done.
  • He announced the immanence of His death.

Questions to consider:

1. Why would Lazarus’ presence (Being alive in front of everyone) have been a problem for the unbelieving Pharisees?  To what truths was his presence continually testifying?
2. Was Jesus discouraging ministry to the poor in verse 8?  When would concern for the poor have been more appropriate in that short span of time?  After what events?
3. What contrast was evident in the “fragrances” being emitted from the hearts of Mary and Judas (Philippians 4:18, 2 Corinthians 2:14-17)?  Why do we do what we do?

Today’s passage: John 11:45-57

Helpful thoughts:

• After seeing Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, some people believed and others went to report it to the Pharisees.
  • They didn’t just not believe.  They opposed Jesus. (Matthew 12:30)
• The Pharisees feared that news of this miracle and others like it in the future would only increase the popularity of Jesus.  If the people tried to make Him king, the Romans would see it as rebellion and remove what was left of their freedoms.
  • Caiaphas believed Jesus had to die for the freedom of the people of God.  That’s exactly what He had come to do.  Just not the way Caiaphas had thought.
• The Passover was at hand, and a Passover Lamb was to be sacrificed (Exodus 12:13).

Questions to consider:

1. Because there were multiple witnesses to the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead (Including Pharisees who were present), what must these religious leaders have thought they were dealing with?  They couldn’t deny what happened, what did they have to believe about Jesus (Matthew 12:24)?
2. In what way was Caiaphas’ prophecy correct?  How did Jesus die for His people?
3. What people did Caiaphas have in mind when he gave this prophecy?  In what way are you a part of what it says in verses 51-52?

Today’s passage: John 11:28-44

Helpful thoughts:

• It was encouraging to read Mary’s response when she heard Jesus was there.  She rose quickly and went to Him.  It is such a privilege to spend time with Jesus.  He is worthy of our eagerness and fervent pursuit.
• Jesus hurt when He saw these people hurting.
  • God loves His people, more deeply than we could understand.
  • God hates sin and its consequences.  Death is a grievous thing.  It’s good and right to grieve death.
    • Jesus knew what He was about to do.  Both on this day and in the days to come.  God’s love and justice resulted in the greatest suffering of all time.  Jesus being our suffering servant (Isaiah 53).
• At the command of Jesus, the dead are raised!

Questions to consider:

1. When we read of Jesus’ grief, what do we learn about the heart of God?  What can we also learn about the gravity and utter wickedness of sin?  How can the answer to these two questions give us fuel and right motivation to fight against sin and chase after righteousness in our lives?
2. What did those people who thought Jesus was “too late” learn about this special man from Nazareth on that day?  What is the reader to learn about the power of God and the identity of Jesus?
3. In what way could we compare verses 43-44 with 10:2-4?  In what ways does Christ call the dead to life (Both spiritually –Ephesians 2:1-5– and then physically –1 Corinthians 15:51-57-)?

Today’s passage: John 11:1-16

Helpful thoughts:

• Lazarus got sick and died physically, for a short while, “so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
  • Mary and Martha and other loved ones went through the experience of seeing Lazarus grow sick and die in order to experience the power of God over death, to see it on display.
  • All of this occurred so that “you may believe.” (Verse 15)
• In application, what Jesus was saying to the disciples in verses 9-10 was this; God is in your presence.  Just listen, do what I say, and it will go much better for you.
• Thomas assumed returning to Judea would result in their death.  But he went anyway.  He may have misunderstood and doubted Jesus at times.  But, by God’s grace, he followed Jesus.
  • This trip to Judea was the beginning of events which led up to Jesus crucifixion.  The end result of this trip wouldn’t be Thomas’ death, but the purchase of his eternal life.

Questions to consider:

1. Why were the disciples confused about what was happening with Lazarus?  Why do you think there were times when Jesus spoke plainly to His disciples and other times when He didn’t?  Was Jesus confusing His disciples for fun or was there a greater purpose?  How did Christ’s words (Which seemed confusing in the moment) end up making things clearer in the end?
2. What can we learn from the simple exhortation from Christ in verses 9-10?  How does acknowledging Christ for who He is simplify all other matters in life, keeping us from stumbling?
3. Whether he knew it or not, Lazarus was dying, rising from the dead, and eventually would die again to the glory of God.  How can this purpose for our existence (Romans 11:36) and hope in the promises of God help us to endure through difficulties in this life?

Today’s passage: John 10:31-42

Helpful thoughts:

• In verse 24, the Jews asked Jesus to tell them plainly if He was the Christ.  In verse 30, Jesus plainly told the Jews that He was one with the Father (Claiming deity).  In verse 31, the Jews picked up stones to execute Jesus.
  • The “crime” Jesus would have committed, in their minds, was blasphemy.  Making Himself equal with God.
  • Of course, Jesus committed no crime.  He is God the Son.
• Jesus quoted Psalm 82:6.  In Psalm 82, rulers who were supposed to lead and govern justly (In a god-like representative manner) failed to do so and therefore awaited their own judgment.  Gentile rulers wanted to be seen as gods yet governed in ungodly ways.
  • Jesus had no injustice in Him or in His actions.  He did everything correctly.  He is the true “Son of the Most High” and a perfect representation of the Father.
• Once Jesus returned to the region where John the Baptist had ministered most, the people who had sat under John’s teaching could see everything that had been promised.
  • Take note:  John the Baptist did no signs, no miracles.  He simply pointed people to the Messiah.  Jesus said no prophet who had come before him was greater (Matthew 11:11).
    • With the completion of the Word of God, you have more information than John the Baptist did about who the Messiah is and what He accomplished (“The one who is least in the kingdom is greater than he.”).  Your testimony and clear explanation of Jesus and the Gospel is far more significant than any sign and wonder.

Questions to consider:

1. What is the irony of the crime Jesus was accused of committing?  What did the Jews think Jesus did wrong?  Who then was actually doing wrong?  How is this still true today?  What must people believe about Jesus?
2. How did Jesus’ words and actions support His claim to deity?  What things can you think of which Jesus did that were completely congruent to the attributes of God?
3. Why did these followers of John the Baptist believe in Jesus?  Was it because the signs were great (Flashy presentation) or because the words were true?  How can this encourage you to share with others today?

Today’s passage: John 10:22-30

Helpful thoughts:

• The Feast of Dedication took place in December.  The “Dedication” commemorated was the rededication of the Temple in 164 A.D. after it had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes.
• The Jews wanted Jesus to declare Himself as the Christ/Messiah because they wanted Him punished!  They got what they wanted in the end (See verse 31).
• The sheep hear the shepherd’s voice and believe…and follow their Shepherd!
  • Both of these statements are true:
    • Once a Christian is saved, he/she cannot lose their salvation (“No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”)
    • Once a Christian is saved, they must follow Jesus (“They hear my voice…and they follow me.”)
      • James 2:14-26
      • The Bible does not teach a person to pray a prayer for salvation and then live a sinful life and expect eternal life (“Should we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!”)
      • The Bible does teach that lost sinners are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.  And then those saved sinners become new creations who will be progressively transformed into Christ-likeness (Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Philippians 1:6)

Questions to consider:

1. What did these people want to do (Of their own will) to the Son of God?  Why didn’t they believe?  What is the answer Jesus gives in this text?
2. Why isn’t anyone able to snatch you out of Christ’s (And the Father’s!) hands?  Who decided you would be in God’s hands?  Who “gave” you to Christ?  Who gave you eternal life?  Where does all the credit go?  Why do we have every reason to rest at ease knowing our eternity is secure?
3. When would any professing Christ NOT have reason to rest at ease concerning their eternity?  If a professing Christian is struggling with assurance of their salvation, how could you use this passage to give them good counsel? (Answer this last question BOTH for the person who is living in sin and for the person who is following Jesus.)