The Gospel of John Lesson 42 (07-28-2013) John 11:45-12:8

The Gospel of John Lesson 42 (07-28-2013)

Lesson 42 – John 11:45-12:8

This world is always divided concerning Jesus, his message and the Church, vs. 45-6. Everyone has an opinion. A fan side observation and opinion. But, as the Church we need to understand that to Jesus an opinion of Him was not good enough. His perspective was to draw everyone into the game. It was not good enough to Him to have the stands filled with spectators essentially uninvolved having only opinions having no skin in the game.

From His perspective, His desire was to draw the spectators down onto the field and get them into the game knowing that even at that some of them would chose to play for the other side as we see here in vs. 45-6. In just a few days He would draw all the spectators onto the field to participate in the biggest games in history. The only thing is that this was not a game. Those who would participate in this game would either receive His message and join Him and His side or choose to join the opposite team supporting their precepts, principles and ways. All would play.

We will also find that those who would choose to stay in the stands deciding to continue to be spectators would get a surprise finding this life or death game would come to them even in the stands eventually going even farther, going outside the stadium involving the whole world. In this game, so to speak, there would eventually be no spectators. Again, eventually all would play.

In these passages we see the two sides forming, and unlike other sports events, one of the options was the ability to change sides. Jesus’ perspective was to have all either be hot or cold concerning this event. Being lukewarm or apathetic and ambivalent would be acceptable.

V. 46 tells us that after the resurrection of Lazarus surprisingly some chose the other side, going their way to the religious leaders of the synagogue  informing them what had happened. They should have been overjoyed by what had happened, but that wasn’t their reaction.

We see in v. 47 that the first thing that they do in response to what they heard, like all good leaders, is to call for a meeting of the leadership council. Their objective was not to honestly evaluate what had happened and what their response, if any, should be, but was more of when and how we can crush what they perceive to be the opposition who had become a threat to their position and status.

We see in v. 48 that they had an accurate idea of what was at stake. The stakes were high. If they did not take action there was the probability that they would lose it all, their nationality or nation, their place of worship which was the temple and their ability to perform their rituals including their rule over the people which would affect their status. Right now, at this time, they at least had a place, even though they were under Roman rule. Even though life was not perfect, at least they were tolerated, and they had the Temple…things could be worse.

In v. 49 Caiaphas the high priest, however, essentially called the whole conversation ridicules telling them that they were not seeing the whole thing clearly at all. He tells them that they have one option and one option only and that that was to do away with the One that they saw to be the trouble maker which was Jesus. He makes the point that they have no other choice when considering between one man and the survival of a nation. To him, what had to be done was crystal clear. Jesus had to go.

Caiaphas, however, did not realize that in making this statement as the high priest of Israel at this time that he was actually being used of God to prophesy of things to come concerning Jesus, the nation Israel and also the world at large. In v. 51 John tells us that he, Caiaphas, did not come up with this by himself, but that God had moved him to speak such words and to come up with such a plan.

In v. 53 we find the council agreeing with him and from that time forward they begin to formulate the master plan planning to not just silence Him, or imprison Him, but to get rid of Him once and for all. The plan for Him was death, a direct violation to the law that they so piously claimed to uphold. Jesus knowing this plan, v. 54, and that the time although being close for His crucifixion and death was not yet fulfilled, retreats with His disciples to a relatively nearby city, Ephraim, staying just out of reach for the moment.

Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Jerusalem and the Jews were getting ready for the coveted annual ‘Passover’ event. John tells us that many were now arriving in preparation for this observance purifying them in preparation for this event. It was a solemn event required by the Jewish Law and was geared toward observances focusing on man’s sin and God’s forgiveness through sacrifice. Although there were many components and parts to this event, the main focus was on what was referred to as the Passover lamb which was sacrificed for sin.

We remember John the Baptist’s proclamation at the beginning of this epistle in Jn. 1:29 referring to Jesus as the One true and only Lamb of God. In only days this Lamb of God, Jesus, would show up and fulfill Caiaphas’ prophesy being sacrificed for the sins of many. While others were sincerely attempting to prepare themselves for God using the rituals and symbolism of the Passover as their guide, others, i. e. Israel’s religious leadership, were plotting a grave offense planning to kill Jesus.

Under the insistence and direction of Caiaphas the high priest and the chief council they now had a united and firm resolve to find Jesus when He showed up and arrest Him with the intention of putting Him to death. We will see some pretty interesting dynamics by them to make this happen and yet attempt to stay within what they consider the boundaries of their laws.

The order now goes out requiring anyone who has seen Jesus and knows of His whereabouts to report Him to the authorities. This order, in all probability, went out with a price or reward attached to it and it is likely that this offer had made it back to the ears of Judas Iscariot. If this had happened it would be a temptation because of his love of money that was too great to pass by. Unfortunately Judas had never read or taken to heart I Tim. 6:10 reminding him of the evils of loving money. However, not all will comply with this order from the council on high choosing Jesus instead.

  

John Chapter 12

Shortly thereafter, six days before the Passover was to be held, Jesus returns to Bethany the home town of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. We find those there giving Him a supper in His honor. Matthew and Mark’s account tell us that this supper was held at Simon the leper’s house, probably in appreciation for Jesus’ healing of not only Simon, but for healing others as well. Of those who had attended most if not all had been touched by Jesus in some way.  The healing of Simon for his leprosy is highly probable. But, others in attendance had also been healed by Jesus and may have included those healed with other infirmities that were not only physical, but spiritual and emotional as well.

In v. 3 we also see Lazarus in attendance at this dinner. Jesus had just raised him from the dead just days earlier. Prior to his resurrection Lazarus had lay dead and buried four days in the grave. Many, if not most of those present at this dinner had probably been there seeing what had happened. Next to Jesus, Lazarus would have been one of the most interesting guests you could have had at the dinner table.

It must have been interesting dinner conversation that night having Lazarus at the dinner table. Some versions tell us that his posture was reclining and relaxed. I wonder what the conversation might have been about that night. What amazing stories and testimonies must have been shared that night. Jesus did not call for this gathering or diner, but had been invited to come by those who were truly thankful for what Jesus had done for them.

But, in verse 3 we see an unusual thing happen. Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, now moves to center stage, not for attention or show, but in a humble and thankful spirit coming to Jesus and bowing at His feet. This is not the first time that we see Mary assume this posture or position. We had seen Mary recently in this same humble posture of adoration just prior to this in chapter 11 coming to Him with a request concerning the death of her brother. But, now her brother is not dead any more. He was present and alive, sitting at the table.

Mary being moved with extreme gratitude assumes the same posture as we saw in chapter 11 even though now she had already received her request.  Moved to one perform of the most prominent acts of worship recorded in Scripture Mary anoints Jesus for His burial anointing His head and feet with very expensive oil and then wipes off the excess with her hair. (Wow!) The room stops. All conversation ceases. The fragrance of the oil fills the air.

However, like most prominent acts of true worship they usually go unnoticed as such by those who are found to be nearby. If noticed at all they are usually tagged as being insignificant or even foolish or ridicules. But, observing Jesus’ reaction here we see that God looks at things differently. He looks at the heart. God looking at the heart understands the intent of the heart and judges the act and intent accordingly.

Mary having a pure heart comes before Jesus in an act and position of submission breaking open a bottle of costly ointment and begins to pours it onto Jesus’ head and feet. In the eyes of those present this was not a practical move. The ointment was worth a lot of money. The ointment could have easily been sold and put to better use. After all there are a lot of hungry people out there. Jesus had taught them to care about others and not so much about themselves and personal indulgencies.

But, Mary did not see it that way. All she saw was Jesus and what He had done for her. There was no cost or sense of what was practical as far as she was concerned. To her it did not matter the cost or what others thought. In her heart she had decided to give her all back to Jesus, and bowing down began to anoint Him.

But, others at the table did not see it that way. They had seen it as wasteful. It was Judas that spoke up, but he in essence was actually speaking for the group saying what they were at least thinking. He started by quoting the numbers saying this oil could have been sold and put too much better use. To this all of those at the table would have agreed with him.

But, Judas had even an additional motive that moved him to say what he had said. He had a personal agenda that prompted his statement. V. 6 tells is that he was the holder of the money bag. This bag was supposed to fund their ministry work, but in actuality Judas had gotten use to dipping into the till for his own personal benefit. He had gotten use to seeing these opportunities as a business adventure with plenty of opportunity for his personal profit. This opportunity concerning Mary’s ointment was a cha-ching to Judas and had the potential of putting a year’s worth of wages within his fingertips.

But, Jesus knowing the hearts and the intents of those in the room straightens them out as to what is really important telling them ‘to obey is better than sacrifice’. Mary in obeying her heart was indeed doing the right thing in anointing Jesus even though it was costly. It sounds to me from the text that maybe Jesus may have been a little abrupt with them concerning their attitude toward Mary’s act of worship. Concerning Judas it was a reprimand, Jesus judging the intent of his heart. To the others a teaching lesson telling them not to be fooled by appearances reminding them that it is the heart and not the cost that determines the offering.

There are two other references recording Mary’s act of worship found in Matt. 26:6-13 and Mk. 14:3-9. In them it tell us that Jesus was so impressed with Mary’s humble act of worship that the record of what she had done would last for as long as His gospel was preached. In v. 7 of John chapter 12 it tells us that it was Mary alone of those present who realized what was close before Jesus that He would soon suffer and die. Again, she was not focused on the cost. Whatever it cost it was worth it.