Written by David Self Monday, 25 November :11 - Last Updated Monday, 25 November :14

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview December 1, 2013 Live Selflessly Background: John 12:1-50 Lesson: John 12:24-33, 35-36, Motivation: How do we achieve success in life? Through Jesus teaching, Mary s example and Judas mistakes, we learn several important truths about success in this Bible Study. Examination: I. Extravagant Devotion (12:1-11) Then Mary took a pound of fragrant oil pure and expensive nard anointed Jesus feet and wiped His feet with her hair. (3) A. Mary s Love (1-3) 1. Mary did what she could while Martha was serving Mary found what was likely her most valuable possession to give to Jesus. Dr. R. G. Lee suggested that it would require 400,000 fully grown roses to produce just one ounce of similarly costly perfume. 2. Mary did all she could a. Perfume extravagance When a woman uses costly perfume, she normally uses only a tiny drop, both because of the expense and the power of the perfume. Using a pound of perfume filled the entire house with fragrance (3b). Mary s gift was instantly known by everyone on the premises. 1 / 7

2 b. Public exhibition In Palestine, a girl bound up her hair on her wedding day and was never seen in public again with it loose. This issue with Mary was not What will people think of me? but, rather How can I show my devotion to Jesus? Mary had no problem with someone accusing her of wearing religion on her sleeve. 3. Mary did it when she should In our Easter lesson, we were reminded of the urgency of the women who attempted to anoint Jesus body for burial; they were too late! Only Mary had the honor of anointing Jesus (7b). This incident occurred prior to the crucifixion week. Although Jesus was only 33 and appeared in perfect health, by the next Friday He would be dead. B. Judas Lust (4-6) Why wasn t this fragrant oil sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor? He didn t say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money bag; and would steal part of what was put in it (5-6) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (1 Tim. 6:10) In verse 6, John writes from future knowledge concerning the character of Judas. What a contrast between the unselfish generosity of Mary and the petty thievery of Judas! 1. Judas was a small-time critic: His petty thinking completely missed the significance of Mary s gift and instead raised a critical question. Jesus response (8) stated a fact of life, helping the poor should be a life-long process; anointing Jesus was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 2. Judas was a small-time crook Stealing money from the offering box was Judas legacy with the Twelve. Selling the ointment would have made more money available for him to steal. 3. Judas was a small-time character The empty barrel makes the most noise. To speak up critically as he did shows his perceived self-importance. Jesus put him in his place ( Let her alone ). One week later, Judas was also dead. C. The Chief Priest s Loathing (12:9-11) 2 / 7

3 The plot thickens! The raising of Lazarus brought so much attention to Jesus power that killing Him wasn t enough to snuff out Christianity. In one of history s great ironies, the Jewish leaders killed their Messiah to protect their place (11:48), then lost their place anyway when the Roman general Titus leveled the temple in AD 70. II. Emphatic Testimony (12-19) A. Purpose The next day, when a large crowd that has come to the Festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. (12) 1. His Timing He arrived at Passover; one census records that a quarter of a million lambs were slain in the Jerusalem temple at Passover. What more appropriate time to declare Himself the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (Joh n 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7) 2. His Trial By entering Jerusalem, Jesus was literally entering the stronghold of the opposition. His courage is demonstrated in that He did not just slip in by night, but publicly made a grand entrance. B. Praise took palm branches and went out to meet Him, They kept shouting: Hosanna!... (13) Palm branches were a nationalistic symbol. Hosanna literally meant s ave us now, we pray. Taken together, they were a cry for liberation viewed in messianic terms. C. Prophecy Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it just as it is written: Fear no more, Daughter of Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey s colt (14-15) John made clear that the disciples did not understand this fulfillment at the time (Luke 24:44-50). After His resurrection, Jesus taught His disciples about this prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 and all the prophets (Luke 24:27). Jesus planned His actions to make a dramatic statement much as Elijah (1 Kings 11:29-32) Jeremiah (27:1-6) Ezekiel (4:1-12) enacted prophecies. The Jewish people expected the Messiah to be a conquering hero who would ride on a white warhorse (Rev. 19:11). The donkey was a mount of peace, suitable for the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6). God often asked for 3 / 7

4 instruments to be dedicated to Him, used for no other purpose: i.e. the red heifer (Num. 19:2; Deut. 21:3) or the ox card for the ark (1 Sam. 6:7). The colt on which no one had sat (Mark 11:2) was such an instrument. D. People Look, the world has gone after Him! (19) William Barclay notes that since a minimum of ten worshippers was needed to sacrifice each lamb, more than two and a half million people crowded Jerusalem at Passover (Barclay, Matthew, vol. 2, p. 238). III. Willing Sacrifice (20-43) A. Foreshadowing the Gentiles Now some Greeks (20) Sir, we want to see Jesus (21) Here is a foreshadowing of the latter two-thirds of the Book of Acts, the mission to the Gentiles. These Gentiles are only mentioned by John who wrote with a larger Hellenistic audience in mind. B. Foretelling His Glorification The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified (23) Jesus hour of glorification surely included his death, burial, resurrection and ascension. (Acts 1:3) Using Himself as an example, Jesus applies the principle to all His disciples: He who selfishly loves this material world will eventually lose it all; he who puts God s spiritual priorities first will gain eternal life. (John 17:5, 24) C. Focusing on Godliness Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop. (24) (1 Tim 3:16; 6:6) 1. The importance of Brokenness The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (25) Dying to one s own pride, selfishness and ambition is a requirement (not an option) for true spirituality (Rom. 12:1-2; Luke 9:23). 4 / 7

5 2. An Example of Brokenness If anyone serves Me he must follow Me (26) Jesus literally gave His life for us. He became our propitiation (Rom. 3:25) bearing the wrath of God on our behalf. (2 Cor. 5:21) 3. The Result of Brokenness Father, glorify Your name. (28) 1 Cor. 10:31 D. Furnishing the Gospel As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself. He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die. (32) God is glorified when we are: 1. Christ Centered If I am lifted up Our rule for living should be Jesus first. 2. Cross Centered lifted up from the earth Our rule for teaching should be salvation first. 3. Crowd Centered will draw all people to Myself Our rule for ministry should be people first. E. Failing to Grasp Even though He had performed so many signs in their presence they did not believe in Him (37) The great paradox of the Jews is summed up in vs. 37; Jesus came to them and accomplished signs and wonders before them; but, still they would not believe. (John 1:11-12) John provides an explanation for their unbelief from Isaiah. F. Fearing the False Guides but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, so they would not be banned from the synagogue. For they loved the praise from men more than praise from God. (42b-43) Does God call secret saints? John s indictment of the rulers should give pause for thought to any who are not willing to publicly profess Christ, unite with his church or be scripturally baptized. 5 / 7

6 IV. Imperative Message (44-50) I have come as a light into the world so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness (46) Verses provide a summary of teachings previously taught. The high cost of denying Jesus (43), is a result of actually denying God (John 1:4-5, 3:16-21; Rom. 10:9-10, 13; Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:13). Application: 1. Big-hearted people tend to be givers (Mary); small-minded people tend to be takers (Judas). 2. Jesus purpose on this earth was fulfilled through obedience to His Father s will. 3. The centrality of our teaching and ministry should be Jesus! Leader Pack Item 1: Map: Jesus Passion Week in Jerusalem; Item 2: Poster: Unit 1; Item 3: Dyi ng to Self Biblical Illustrator: p. 34; Jesus: The Light of the World **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: Dates: 11/28-29 Thanksgiving Holiday, offices closed; 12/1 NO LBS; 12/5 Women s Christmas Banquet; 12/6 Recreate: Date Night; 6 / 7

7 12/7 Deacon Christmas Party; 12/7 - Christmas Store; 12/8 Student Christmas Event AFC; 12/9 FBA Fall Fine Arts Festival; 12/12-15 Celebration; 12/19 - FBA Primary & Lower School Musical; 12/21 Candy Cane Lane; 12/24-25 Christmas Holidays offices closed; 12/29 No LBS; 12/31 Summit New Year s Eve Party. 7 / 7