The Gospel of John Lesson 43 (08-04-2013) John 12:9-19

The Gospel of John Lesson 43 (08-04-2013)

Lesson 43 – John 12:9-19

In our last study although Mary’s act of worship was missed by everyone else in the room, it did not go unnoticed by Jesus. So it is with many good works performed with a pure heart that are done as an act of worship in this world. Be encouraged, Jesus does take notice. He does not miss one. Not one. Even though He may not stand up and applaud you right away for it.

As a matter of fact, as we saw in this instance, the recognition that we often receive for acts of worship in good works is ridicule and often persecution. But, it was the Apostle Paul that said it best in I Cor. 15:58 encouraging us to continue in good works being steadfast in performing them telling us that these acts are not in vain. Mary did it just because. But, God took notice and commended her for it.

By this time knowledge of this dinner gathering was getting out. It tells us in Jn. 12:9 that a large number of Jews had heard that Jesus had now come to Bethany and sought Him out. They had already been wondering if He would come. They were not sure of what would happen because the Jewish leaders were now looking for Him, and, not to welcome Him. Some versions tell us that it was many Jews. Other versions even use the word multitude to describe how many came to Bethany looking for Him. John says that it was the common people and not so much religious leaders that had sought Him out, although He was not without a following among the leadership of Israel. It tells us in Jn. 12:42 that some of the Jewish leadership did seek Him out also, but were afraid to go public for fear of being ostracized in their society being put out of the synagogue.

The tide was beginning to turn. The raising of Lazarus had convinced many that Jesus was for real. Now the chief priests had two problems. They could not deny the obvious. No matter what was behind the raising of Lazarus he was now alive when he had just a few days ago laid dead. They were there. They witnessed it. Lazarus was now up and walking around. He was a public display of God’s power and glory and an undeniable witness to what Jesus was saying all along. We can be sure that Lazarus testified to this verbally to those present. Because of Lazarus now many were not just looking for Jesus to watch the show, now they were seeking Him out taking His message seriously deciding to follow Him, and, they brought others with them encouraging them to do the same.

After this dinner and the visible witness of God’s glory through His work concerning Lazarus, on the next day, when those who had come to celebrate the Passover feast heard that Jesus was now coming to Jerusalem, they came out to meet Him now not just heralding Him as one of the great prophets, but had now claimed to recognize Him as the One who was to come as their King in God’s Name, representing and making claim to the Throne of God. This was significant because only One in all of Israel’s history could make this claim. Because of this they initially welcome Him to Jerusalem giving Him a royal welcome laying down palm branches and enthusiastically proclaiming Him as the Promised King.

However, there was only one problem. He did not come as they had expected Him to. V. 14 tells us that Jesus chose an interesting mode of transportation to ride into Jerusalem that day. They had proclaimed Him as King. You would have expected Him, as they did, to come into Jerusalem with a show of power coming into Jerusalem with His entourage sent on before Him proclaiming His coming or riding into the city on a beautiful powerful steed, or the like, matching His claim. After all Jerusalem was occupied by an enemy at this time.

But, this did not happen. Instead He chose an ass, and a young one at that to make His entrance. Not exactly a show of power. I am sure that to most there on that day that this was a curious detail concerning His coming causing many to at least pause for a moment and wonder its meaning only to cast aside that thought and resume the moment of celebration.

However, Jesus’ choice was intentional and contained great and significance. We see recorded in the other Gospel accounts that Jesus had prearranged the use of this colt by Him telling his disciples to go and get this specific colt. They were told when they were sent to get the colt that if the owners asked them any questions when they untied the colt they were to reply that the Master had need of it. That Jesus had a purpose in using this colt was clear.

John quoting here the Old Testament passage found in Isaiah chapter 40 verse 9 is significant, for in coming Jesus was not coming to make a statement to Israel’s captors only, but instead He came to make a statement and presentation first to His own people. The passage found in Isaiah is significant for in coming it says that this King would come with a message and that message was that His people should not fear Him at His coming at this time.

What a strange message for a king to his people. Why should they be afraid of their king? Their king was supposed to protect and rescue them. But, there was an issue between this King and His people. It was an issue that was even more important than freeing them from their captures. He in essence arrives in the city of His people telling them, not their enemies, to not to be afraid of Him. In coming to them He presents Himself not only as their King, but also as their God and comes to them in essence saying that there is an issue that needs to be discussed and resolved, but even though it is a issue that must be dealt with He starts by telling them not to be afraid, that He comes in peace coming with a peace offer.

It was significant how Jesus chose to come to His people in Jerusalem that day. A conquering king if coming to conquer would come presenting in a position of dominance. However, if a king came with an offer of peace they would often come as Jesus did, sitting on a colt or ass. The news of the raising of Lazarus had spread in the region and in Jerusalem and had convinced the people that He was the One. They came out with shouts of praise spreading palm branches giving Jesus a king’s welcome acknowledging that Jesus was not only coming as a king, but was coming in God’s Name representing God Himself to them.

But, there was one problem that they did not yet acknowledge in His coming, one thing that they did not yet admit. They were not on the best of terms with their coming king. Because of this as we will later see this crowd that in the present welcomed Him turns 180 degrees turning against Him instead. In v. 16 John tells us that even His disciples did not understand the dynamics of what went on here until they witnessed the full picture of Jesus’ coming, finally understanding after His crucifixion and resurrection His purpose in coming.

At this point even His disciples saw Jesus as their possible ticket to freedom from Roman tyranny, V. 16 Later they would fully understand that it was not just His earthly greatness that made Him the One, but that He also came fulfilling all of those things concerning the coming Messiah.

The other Gospel writers also record what has been named Jesus’ Triumphant Entry. We now celebrate Jesus’ Triumphant Entry as Palms Sunday because of the laying down of palms before Him as He rode into Jerusalem that day. Each gospel writer records this event. They all essentially record the main details of what happened, but add details specific to their account as moved by God the Holy Spirit. Matt. 21 1-9, Mk. 11:1-10 and Lk. 19:28-44.

Luke records this event in Lk. 19:28-44 adding to his account that Jesus wept over the city. He wept as He beheld the city because its inhabitants did not acknowledge or recognize their offenses toward God as they came out to meet Him. This was the reason for His coming coming on a colt or donkey. In Luke’s Gospel in Lk. 1:76-9 Dr. Luke gives us the details and purpose of His coming presenting Himself to Israel. In v. 77 of chapter one it tells us that He was coming to bring the knowledge of salvation and the forgiveness of their offences. V. 79 of chapter one goes further telling us of their condition saying that those that He was coming to sat in darkness and that He was the Light to light their way to guide their feet and actions into the way of peace.

But, they had refused to listen and acknowledge their need for what He was offering, essentially rejecting His peace offer. They wanted to just join Him for their benefit. He saw no recognition of accountability or obligation for their offenses toward the One they heralded as King. This saddened Him. It saddened Him so much that it broke His heart shedding tears for the people of Jerusalem.

In verses 43 and 44 of Luke 19 we see Jesus pronounce the judgment that will come upon them because they do not receive and except His terms of peace at this time. This judgment was mostly accomplished by the Romans in 70 A.D. the Temple being totally destroyed and brought down level to the ground. It is ironic and descriptive that the Jewish leaders were so concerned with what they perceived would happen if the people ended up following Jesus when it was really their actions and refusal to receive Jesus and His offer of peace that brought destruction on them.

John 12:17-8 To be sure, it was the raising of Lazarus that had convinced the people that Jesus was the Promised One. V. 19 Wow! It was obvious now to the Pharisees as to where this thing was going. The people now began to turn their attention totally away from following their dead doctrines and rituals turning in droves toward Jesus, the one that they had despised. V. 19 indicates that even they could see the trend and handwriting on the wall, seeing that even their captures took notice of Him and that this thing had now become even bigger than them.