College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
John 12 - Introduction
CHAPTER TWELVE
Between Chapter s eleven and twelve of John's Gospel Jesus takes a preaching tour through the borders of Samaria, Galilee and Perea recorded only in the synoptic gospels. Jesus no doubt took this tour for various reasons. First, He desired another opportunity to preach concerning His kingdom to the people of the countryside. Second, there was a reward being offered for information leading to His whereabouts and arrest. His time was not yet come and He avoids arousing increased animosity of the rulers, which He would most certainly have done had He gone directly to Jerusalem. Thus He proceeds north from Ephraim (John 11:54) through Samaria into the southern border of Galilee and joins the multitudes of pilgrims coming to the Passover as they travel down the eastern side of the Jordan in Perea.
There is no way to be certain how long a period was involved in this preaching tourperhaps a month, perhaps more, perhaps less. During this time some very important instances in the earthly ministry of our Lord took place:
a.
Healing ten lepers (Luke 17:1-37).
b.
Teaching on divorce (Matthew 19:1-30; Mark 10:1-52).
c.
Parables of unjust judge, Pharisee and publican, laborers in vineyard (Luke 18:1-43; Matthew 20:1-34).
d.
Jesus blesses little children.
e.
Healing two blind men and meeting Zacchaeus in Jericho (Luke 19:1-48).
These and other incidents take place before the final and terrible last week (cf. Map #6, John 10:11-21).
The activities mentioned in John 12:1-50 seem to cover about four days if our chronology is comparatively accurate. We shall discuss this further in our comments.
The theme that runs throughout chapter twelve may well be summed up in an utterance of Jesus Himself when He cried aloud, Now is my soul troubled. The ominous shadows of the cross are becoming larger and darker. Everywhere He turns He is reminded of the agonizing torture just aheadin Mary's anointing, in the entry into Jerusalem, in the coming of the Greeks. This will be His last opportunity to witness to the multitudesfrom henceforth (John 13:1-38; John 14:1-31; John 15:1-27; John 16:1-33; John 17:1-26; John 18:1-40; John 19:1-42; John 20:1-31; John 21:1-25) He manifests Himself primarily to His chosen disciples.
Our outline continues:
II
The Word Manifested to the Jews and their Rejection of Him, John 1:19, John 12:50.
D.
Public Ministry, Third Year
5.
Last Public Presentation of the Word (Beginning of the Last Week), John 12:1, John 12:50
a.
An Act of Love with Ominous Overtones, John 12:1-11
b.
Thy King Cometh, John 12:12-19
c.
The Great ParadoxDeath Brings Life, John 12:20-26
d.
The Magnetic Cross, John 12:27-36
e.
A Perpetual Prophecy, John 12:37-43
f.
The Imperative Words, John 12:44-50
EXPOSITORY SERMON NO. TWELVE
THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW
Introduction
I.
DAVID WROTE OF HIS TRUST IN THE GREAT SHEPHERD
A.
B.
The Great Shepherd would lead to green pastures and still waters.
C.
He would also lead through the valley of the shadow of death.
D.
Read again John 10:1-42 he leads them. they follow him.
II.
THE GREAT SHEPHERD HIMSELF WALKED THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
A.
This 12th chapter of John is charged with the darkness of those shadows.
B.
Every circumstance, every word deepens the shadow of the cross falling across His path.
C.
Everywhere He turned He was reminded vividly of His approaching suffering for sin.
D.
Even in the darkness of these shadows, however, our Lord shines forth in the brightness of Divine Light by His faith, His love and His teaching of salvation.
Discussion
I.
ANOINTING FOR BURIAL, John 12:1-11 (cf. also Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9)
A.
Mary's act of love and devotion reminded Jesus of His impending death and burial.
1.
Cost of the nard was approximately one year's wages.
2.
The humiliation involved for Mary shows her devotion.
3.
Her act also shows a deep comprehension by faith of Christ's continued teaching concerning the fact that He must die.
a.
Her faith is greater than even the disciples, for they comprehended it not.
b.
Her faith caused her to throw social propriety to the wind, it was an unreserved faith.
B.
The carping of Judas and the disciples probably reminded Him more of the cross!
1.
The grossness of their insensitiveness and callousness contrasted with Mary's comprehension and love burdened the heart of Jesus.
2.
The human side of Jesus cried out for companionship and sympathy in the valley of the shadow, but His closest friends were interested only in money matters.
a.
Later, when they would again be arguing among themselves about rank and position, He would try to teach them that greatness was in serving others (Luke 22:24-27; John 13:1-38).
C.
Immaturity, gross materialism, apostacy, failure to grow in the faithall of this in the church today casts us right alongside these insensitive, callous disciples!
1.
The shadow of the cross is cast across His path again. a. Read Hebrews 5:11, John 6:8.
2.
The church and its members have, in many ways, crucified the Son of God afresh and have put Him to open shame.
3.
LET EACH CHRISTIAN, WHO PROFESSES FAITH IN CHRIST, SHOW IT BY SUCH UNRESERVED LOVE AND DEVOTION TO THE LORD AS MARY EXEMPLIFIED. LET US LEAVE A MEMORIAL SUCH AS SHE LEFT!
II.
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY, John 12:12-19 (cf. also Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44).
A.
In this incident, the shadow of the cross fell upon His path through the fulfilling of prophecy.
1.
The people were singing Hosannas in jubilance expecting Him, on the basis of Lazarus-' resurrection, to become their long-awaited militant Messiah.
2.
But Jesus knew that He was to come as their meek, humiliated, crucified Messiah.
a.
Even the disciples misunderstood the prophetic word (cf. John 12:14-16).
3.
What prophecies would flash across the mind of Jesus as He beheld the superficial, misguided shouts of the multitudes?
a.
Surely Isaiah 49:1-26; Isaiah 50:1-11; Isaiah 51:1-23; Isaiah 52:1-15; Isaiah 53:1-12.
b.
And Zechariah 12:10-11; Zechariah 13:7.
c.
And Psalms 22:1-31.
d.
Perhaps even the words of Simeon, Luke 2:33-35.
B.
Another shadow fell upon His heart in connection with the unbelief of the multitudes in the spiritual nature of His coming and His kingdom.
1.
The prophetic vision He had concerning the future destruction of Jerusalem (cf. Luke 22:41-44).
2.
This very multitude of festive, shouting Jews would, in a few years, suffer unheard of tragedythis because
a.
They knew not the things that make for peace;
b.
They knew not the day of their visitation; He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not (John 1:11).
(1)
This verse portrays in general the whole public ministry of Jesus to the Jews.
(2)
This chapter (12) closes His public ministry on the same not of rejection.
C.
What is the lesson for us today?
1.
Jesus Christ must be Lord of all or He is not Lord at all!
a.
He must rule our thoughts, emotions, desires, actions, indeed our ALL, or we dare not acclaim Him as Lord at all (cf. Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46-49).
2.
We must surrender to and follow a Lord and a kingdom which is ridiculed and scoffed at by the world (1 Corinthians 1:1-31; Philippians 2:5-11).
III.
THE SEEKING OF THE GREEKS, John 12:20-36
A.
These Greeks, having reached the depths of despair in the philosophies of ancient Greece, had probably become proselytes to the Jewish religion (see our comments on John 12:20-21).
1.
Anyone acquainted in the least with the philosophies of men recognize them as simply the cries of despair and hopelessness of all men in a more erudite language.
2.
Philosophy does not even offer to the world a way of living here that appeals to man's higher naturelet alone offering any answers to the imperative questions concerning the purpose of life, death, eternity.
3.
Uppermost in the minds of the Greeks here would be to question Jesus about His teachings (which perhaps they had themselves heard at one time) concerning eternal life, heaven, hell, etc.
B.
Their seeking reminded Him of His great task (also prophecied) to accomplish the salvation of the Gentiles as well as the Jews (cf. Romans 1:16-17).
1.
Their seeking reminded Him of the manner in which the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile would be broken down (cf. Ephesians 2:11-22; Colossians 2:8-15).
2.
They reminded Him of the fact that unless He was put to death, and buried, He could not come forth (in His resurrection) and bring fruit (John 12:24).
a.
By His death, burial and resurrection (a historical fact) He would demonstrate that in Him was TRUTH, thus giving many thousands of Gentiles in the darkness of philosophical ignorance and uncertainty LIFE.
3.
Jesus also used this incident to teach that all who will follow Him must be where the Master is (John 12:25-26):
a.
Give up self, crucify self.
b.
Rise to walk in a new life.
C.
The application for us today should be apparent.
1.
It is the power of the Gospel which saves men.
a.
It is preaching the cross and resurrection which draws men to Christ (cf. John 12:32).
2.
This is the doctrine we must obey from the heart (cf. Romans 6:17); we must die to sin and rise in a new life (cf. Romans 6:1-14; John 12:25-26).
Conclusion
I.
HOW CAN YOU CONTINUE TO REJECT HIM WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED BY HIS MIGHTY WORKS (Birth, Life of Miracles, Death, Resurrection), HIS DEITY?
A.
Do not harden your heart as the Jews did!
1.
The more you reject, the harder becomes your heart (see our comments on John 12:37-43).
2.
Do not seek the honor of men above the honor of God.
3.
Harden not your heart (cf. Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-16).
B.
Remember, God leaves it entirely up to youit is your choice.
1.
But if you wish to go on believing a lie. having pleasure in disobedience, God will allow you to continue to harden your heart against Him.
2.
His Gospel message either softens or hardens.
II.
HOW CAN YOU THINK THAT BECAUSE THERE IS NO JUDGMENT TODAY THERE WILL BE NONE TOMORROW?
A.
Jesus came first to save the world.
B.
But He is coming again to judge the world.
C.
The whole basis of judgment will not be the opinions or doctrines of men, but the Word of God.
1.
See our comments on John 12:47-49.
2.
Obedience to the Gospel of Christ is imperative (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
III.
JESUS COMES WITH THE MESSAGE OF THE FATHER. THE MESSAGE OF HEAVEN
A.
The one great commandment sent from the very throne of God is:
1.
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name (authority) of His Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 3:23).
2.
BELIEF, TRUE, OBEDIENT, TRUSTING, LOVING WORSHIPPING BELIEF IN JESUS CHRIST IS ETERNAL LIFE (John 12:49-50).
B.
Jesus speaks this on the authority of God the Creator and Father (cf. John 14:1-11).
EXAMINATION, Chapter S 11 and 12
Identify These
1.
Mary, Martha, Lazarus
2.
Simon
3.
The Greeks
4.
Bethany
5.
Perea
6.
Caiaphas
Who Said This, and Why?
1.
Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
2.
Lazarus is dead.
3.
Let us also go, that we may die with him.
4.
I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
5.
I have believed that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
6.
... it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people.
7.
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor?
8.
Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.
9.
Sir, we would see Jesus.
10.
Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Fill In The Blanks
1.
Jesus said unto her, I am the
______________, and the______________: he that believeth on me, though he ______________, yet shall he ______________;
2.
And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, ______________ ______________.
3.
Suffer her to keep it against the ______________ of my ______________.
4.
Except a ______________ of wheat ______________ into the earth and ______________, it ______________ by itself alone; but if it die, it ______________ much ______________.
5.
And I,
_______ ______ _______ ____________ _____________ from the earth, will ______________ all men unto myself.
Interpret These Enigmatic Sayings
1.
He that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live.
2.
He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
3.
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. But for this cause came I unto this hour.
4.
He hath blinded their eyes, and he hardened their heart; Lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, And should turn, And I should heal them.
5.
And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Questions For Thought
1.
How did the delay of Jesus to come to Bethany, which allowed Lazarus to die, work to the glory of God?
2.
Why did Jesus weep at the tomb of Lazarus?
3.
Was there any God-given inspiration in the declaration made by Caiaphas? (John 11:47-53)
4.
What did Jesus mean by, ... the poor ye have always with you; but me ye have not always.?
5.
How would the death of Christ bring about the judgment of this world, and the casting out of the prince of this world.?