St. John s Gospel Packet #15 Review of: John 12:1-50 Preparation for: John 13:1-38 Lecture Date: Feb. 6, 2019 REVIEW OF LECTURE ON JOHN 12:1-50 Introduction Last week we looked at the raising of Lazarus from the dead and noted that it painted an intimate portrait of Jesus, showing His tenderness and compassion for His friends. We also noted that the raising of Lazarus was the final straw for the Pharisees and the chief priests. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, they decided that they must stop Him, giving orders to arrest Jesus if He comes to the upcoming Passover. Chapter 12 is a transitional chapter in John s Gospel. With all seven signs now performed, John turns our attention to the events of the last week of Jesus earthly life. Through the next seven chapters, we will be discussing just this one week. John gives this much attention to the events of Holy Week to emphasize all that Jesus did for us and our salvation. Sometimes these chapters are called the Book of Glory in order to highlight that God s glory is seen clearly in the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A Dinner Party and an Anointing Jesus is at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus as Chapter 12 begins and a number of striking things happen at a dinner party there. First, the presence of Lazarus at the party is nothing short of amazing, just by the fact that he has a pulse. Second, even though Lazarus is a walking miracle, John doesn t focus much on him. Instead, John focuses on his sister, Mary of Bethany, who anoints Jesus with her hair in an act of great
Page 2! of 8! devotion. The anointing of Jesus is deeply poignant Jesus knows the destiny to which He s bound. Like so many other things that happen in John s Gospel, this event in the life of Jesus is full of significance that most of the characters in the story don t themselves comprehend. Mary of Bethany, in her love for Jesus, unwittingly foreshadows His burial. The custom at that time was to anoint dead bodies in preparation for burial. Because Jesus hasty burial will make that impossible, Mary of Bethany s action is seen as a pre-burial anointing. Judas the Betrayer It is striking just how much Judas has hardened his heart against Jesus. During the dinner party, Judas criticizes Mary s generosity towards the Lord. It s also significant that Judas does this while Lazarus is in the room a man who Judas knew had just been raised from the dead by Jesus. Thus, Judas is acting in a way that we would not expect; a way that is similar to the Pharisees and chief priests: they re seemingly unaffected by that fact that Lazarus is alive at all. As Judas surveys the scene, he seems oblivious to all that he has seen Jesus do. Sadly, the only thing on his mind is money. As Mary anoints the feet of Jesus, Judas does something common for people who are deeply involved in sin. He denounces Mary of Bethany publicly, accusing her of precisely the thing he himself is guilty of doing: stealing from the poor. Two things are notable here - first, Jesus openly rebukes Judas; and second, according to the other Gospels, it is after this incident that Judas betrays Jesus to the priests in Jerusalem. (Mark 14:10-11) You Always Have the Poor With You Some readers have been troubled by Jesus rebuke of Judas, misinterpreting the phrase, You always have the poor with you (John 12:8). Jesus is not saying that He wants there always to be poor people. He is saying that the poor can t be ignored since they re always present. The poor offer Jesus followers an opportunity to be generous, and Jesus has already warned that His followers will be judged by how they make use of that opportunity. Jesus calls all people to generosity and in this instance He clearly believes that Mary s act of anointing Him in anticipation of burial is a fitting gesture of generosity.
Page 3! of 8! Palm Sunday and Prophecy If you want extra credit, go read Zechariah, chapters 9-14. These chapters are full of prophecies that are fulfilled by Jesus in the last week of his life and John highlights many of them over this next stretch. The first of his prophecies that gets fulfilled begins with Jesus riding into Jerusalem and the people waving Palm branches. Zechariah has prophesied that a messianic king would come humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9) This is the exact way that Jesus rides into town. The ride begins up on the Mount of Olives, right near Bethany, where Jesus had been at the dinner party the night before. John notes in 12:17 that the crowd that is gathered together to cheer Jesus on, is the same crowd that had witnessed His raising of Lazarus. As they are joined by others, they wave palm branches and shout a word of salvation to Jesus as He rides, welcoming Him as the Messiah. They quote Psalm 118 as they shout: Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord the King of Israel! As Jesus enters into the city of Jerusalem, He enters through the east gate, sometimes called the Golden Gate, fulfilling another prophecy from Ezekiel 43. Sir, We Wish To See Jesus After Jesus triumphal entry, some Greeks want to meet Jesus and so they approach St. Philip saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus. (John 12:21) St. Philip then relays the message to St. Andrew, who in turn relays it to the Lord. This is an important turning point in John s Gospel and is a sign that both those inside and those outside the Jewish community are being attracted to the Lord. Ultimately we know that Jesus has come for both Jews and Greeks; for all people. These Gentiles wanting to meet the Lord is a foreshadowing of the future ministry of the church, which will be to all nations. The Hour Has Come Two things happen at almost the same time here in John 12: the Jewish religious leaders really commit to killing Jesus and, at almost the same moment, Gentiles ask to see Jesus. Until this moment, Jesus insists that it is not yet His time but after this He says the hour has come. (John 12:23) When he says this, Jesus is telling us He intends to die and that His death isn t an unforeseen tragedy. Jesus tells Andrew and Philip that it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. (John 12:27) letting us know that His death and sacrifice are at the core of His mission
Page 4! of 8! This theme of Jesus hour is found all throughout John s Gospel. In John 2:4, 7:30, and 8:20, we read that Jesus escaped violent opposition because His hour had not yet come. In John 4:23, when Jesus is talking with the woman at the well, Jesus tells her the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. In John 5:28-29, Jesus says Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and will come out. The Hour is the initiation of the New Covenant in the blood of Jesus that will be for all people. The hour of Jesus death is the hour of birth for all believers everywhere who are united as brothers and sisters in Christ and united to God the Father. And I, When I Am Lifted Up From the Earth, Will Draw All People to Myself In John 12:32, Jesus emphasizes that the New Covenant is intended for the entire human race, not just the Jews. Jesus uses this play on the words lifted up, John tells us in 12:33, to indicate the kind of death He was to die. In other words, the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, the completion of His work on earth, fully showcases that He has come to give His life for all. Sometimes people think that this verse, John 12:32, means that Jesus draws all types of people to Himself but not necessarily all people. John Calvin famously interpreted this verse in this way. While it is true that Jesus draws all types of people to Himself, it is clear from the whole arc of Jesus ministry that He has indeed come to redeem all people, to call the entire world into a relationship with the living God. Jesus sacrifice is for all because God loves and creates all that is and He desires to be in a relationship with all. St. John clarifies this point for us in his first letter, when he writes that Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1John 2:2) Jesus gives His life not just for the Christian but for the whole world that all might have the opportunity to come into a saving relationship with Him. While all are drawn by the amazing love of Jesus Christ, sadly not all come into a saving relationship with Him. Sometimes people choose to reject the great gift of salvation offered to them in Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, God draws all men, working in their hearts and minds through the power of the Holy Spirit, and He desires that all be saved. St. Paul also helps us understand this in 1 Timothy 2:3-6, when he writes this is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is
Page 5! of 8! one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all. Connections to the Eucharist When Jesus says that He will be lifted up and draw all people to Him, He is clearly referencing His coming sacrifice on the cross. In the Eucharist week after week, the priest elevates the consecrated bread, lifting it up in connection to Jesus words here in John 12:32. The Eucharist is a participation in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. We spiritually receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ that was poured out for us physically on the cross. St. Paul makes this connection clear when he writes about the Eucharist, saying, The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? (1 Cor 10:16) Thus, when the priest elevates the Body and Blood of Jesus during the Eucharist, he signals that you and I are participating again in this moment when Jesus was lifted up and offered Himself for all time a single sacrifice for sins. (Hebrews 10:12) John, Isaiah and the Final Summary of Jesus Public Ministry In John 12:38 and the verses following, John directly cites the beginning of the clearest and most detailed Old Testament prophecy of the suffering servant Messiah. (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) Isaiah s prophecy details Jesus rejection by His own people, Jesus as the Lamb of God, and Jesus redemptive suffering, death, and resurrection. Over the next chapters, John will tell us about the fulfillment of Isaiah s prophecies which are not to shame and loss but to God s glory. Jesus chooses His suffering and humiliation as the vehicle which will bring salvation to the world. One Last Public Word As Chapter 12 ends, Jesus cries out one last time as His public ministry draw to a close. In His words, He gives a summary of the whole Gospel so far. He cries out to the people concerning the purpose of His coming into the world and the judgment that is to come. Then He s heard in public no more. Jesus ends His public ministry with a call for a response to all He has said and done. The response He looks for is one that hears His words and observes them.
Page 6! of 8! Questions on John 12:1-50 Read Notes and References again and answer questions 1-3 1. What is significant about Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus with her hair? 2. What does the crowd shout as Jesus rides by during His triumphal entry? Why is this important? 3. What does Jesus mean when He says that the hour has come? Preparation for John 13:1-38 Read also: Luke 22:1-6, Matthew 5:7-20, Philippians 2: 1-11 Memory Verse for the Week ahead So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another s feet. (John 13:14) He Loved Them to the End John 13:1-11 1. John 13:1 records that Jesus knew His hour had come to depart to the Father. How does Jesus show His love for His disciples during His last hours? 2. Washing feet was a common practice in biblical times. What is striking about Jesus performing this service for His disciples?
Page 7! of 8! 3. In John 13:8, after Peter objects to Jesus washing His feet, Jesus says to Him, Unless I wash you, you have no share with me. What do you think Jesus is getting at? Does it have anything to do with Holy Baptism? 4. In John 13:10-11, Jesus says that one of His disciples is unclean. Which one is He talking about? In what way is he unclean? I Have Given You an Example John 13:12-20 5. In John 13:14, this week s suggested memory verse, Jesus says: So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another s feet. What does Jesus mean by this? One of You Will Betray Me John 13:21-30 6. Read Luke 22:1-6. What additional information is given about Judas in Luke s Gospel? 7. In John 13:27, Jesus said to Judas, Do quickly what you are going to do. Why do the other Disciples speculate that Judas might be going to buy food?
Page 8! of 8! 8. In John 13:30, St. John writes, And it was night. What do you think the spiritual meaning of this verse might be? Love One Another as I Have Loved You John 13:31-38 9. What commandment is recorded in Leviticus 19:18? How is the commandment Jesus gave to His disciples a new commandment? 10.How will people recognize the disciples of Jesus? 11.Jesus knew that both Judas and Peter were going to betray him, just as He is aware of all of the times we betray Him. What would you say to someone to encourage their reconciliation with God after they had betrayed Him?