John - Week 37

Judas the Thief 

READ 

John 12:6-8 

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.” 

Judas thought the expensive ointment with which Mary anointed the feet of Jesus should have been sold and given to the poor. The above passage written by the Apostle John reveals Judas didn’t care about the poor. Judas—and any others who felt the same as Judas—was rebuked by Jesus and told to leave her alone. If they really cared about the poor, they would always have them present to do something for, but Mary had His burial in mind. He reminded them they would not always have Him physically present. 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes used an excuse for not doing what you believed the Lord wanted you to do in your worship of Him? Have you felt the urge of the Holy Spirit to speak to someone about their eternal destiny, but used an excuse not to? 

RESPOND 

What can you do now to honor the Lord? One way is to be passing on what you are learning to someone else. Are you doing this? Someone may be looking for a more knowledgeable believer to share the Scriptures with them. It could be your privilege to do so. 

Lazarus in the Crosshairs 

READ 

John 12:9-11 

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. 

Sometimes religious leaders can do ungodly acts when they feel their influence and followers are being taken from them. Here these leaders were so upset they wanted to kill Lazarus. They thought if they could get rid of the one raised from the dead that would help secure their followers. They thought killing him would cause those who believed in Jesus to desert Him instead of them. 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes thought that if one of your loved ones could observe a true miracle it would cause that person to turn to Jesus? Have you been guilty of thinking more about the miracle than the Miracle-Worker, Jesus?  

RESPOND 

Read Luke 16:19-31 about a different Lazarus and about a person who thought his brothers would avoid coming to the place of torment if they saw someone raised from the dead. Does this help you see that believing what the Bible says is even more important than witnessing a miracle? This is why you ought to be teaching others what the Bible says. 

Hail to the King 

READ 

John 12:12-13 

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!” 

What the crowd shouted literally meant “save now!” They realized that Jesus was the true Messiah and had come in the “name of the Lord.” In contrast to the religious leaders of their day, they acknowledged Jesus as “the King of Israel.” This was also what Nathanael called Him when he first met Jesus (see John 1:49). This exclamation of the people would especially incense the religious leaders who thought acknowledging Jesus as King of Israel would surely bring the judgment of the Roman Empire down on them. To believe Jesus was Lord (kurios) was the opposite of honoring Caesar as Lord. 

REFLECT 

Jesus is not only king but He is also Lord. Because He is God, it is safe to commit your life and eternal destiny to Him. Have you believed in Him and received Him as your Savior, as mentioned in John 1:12? The Pharisees had been through many religious rituals but most of them rejected Christ. What have you done with Jesus? 

RESPOND 

Determine that your key responsibility as a believer in Christ is to encourage others to put their faith in Him. Most ministry is based on a friendship. Be the kind of friend that allows God to draw others to Himself by drawing them through you. 

Riding on a Donkey 

READ 

John 12:14-16 

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. 

See Zechariah 9:9 for the prophecy referred to in this passage. Even kings rode on donkeys in peacetime. Horses were military animals. When Jesus comes to set up His kingdom He will bring peace. Notice that His own followers did not realize at the time that what was occurring to Jesus at the moment was a fulfillment of prophecy. 

REFLECT 

Do not be discouraged if you read the Bible and don’t understand some things at the time. Perhaps you will know more fully as you understand more of the Bible. And perhaps God will enable you to be taught by someone who can link these matters together. In the meantime, teach others what you are sure of.  

RESPOND 

The Apostle Paul provides an example of focusing on a basic message others need to hear. Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 to see what Paul focused on. See also that he, too, was fearful at times as he proclaimed the message of salvation to others. Take courage from his comments. 

Lazarus' Witness 

READ 

John 12:17-19 

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. 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!” 

This passage relates the importance of telling others what you have seen and heard. It sets an example of what Christ-followers should do today. So many were flocking after Jesus that the unbelieving Pharisees were giving up hope for their cause. Although there are many things to feel sad about in this world today, do not forget that many are also turning to Christ. Some in closed countries are watching Satellite Christian programs and using cell phones—just as you are doing now—to receive the Gospel and disciple others. 

REFLECT 

Have you wondered how others have come to know Jesus as Savior? That’s a question you can ask of someone who claims to be a believer. The answer can also reveal what the person is trusting for salvation—Jesus or some emotional experience. 

RESPOND 

Read 1 John 1:1-4 and consider all the applications you can make to your life today. You haven’t physically seen Jesus as did the Apostle John, the writer of this letter. You can, however, tell others what you have seen and heard about the changed lives of other believers.  And you can certainly share how your life has been changed. No one can argue with a changed life.