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Chapter 12. Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 12. Jesus’ friends show deep respect & humility for Him! “Martha served” (John 12:2). “Mary…anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair” (John 12:3). She gave the very best for Him – “very costly” (John 12:3).
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Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 12 • Jesus’ friends show deep respect & humility for Him! • “Martha served” (John 12:2). • “Mary…anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair” (John 12:3). • She gave the very best for Him – “very costly” (John 12:3). • His servants (1) follow Him, (2) honor the Father, and (3) will be where He is (12:26). • Doing good to others is no substitute for worship (v. 3-7)! • There are lots of times (and always will be times) to serve others, including the poor. • There are only a limited number of opportunities to truly worship the Lord.
Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 12 • Believing in Jesus alone is not sufficient to be saved from sin (John 12:42-43)! • “Even among the rulers many believed in Him” (John 12:42). • The very next word indicates that belief is not enough – “but…” • These believers in Jesus kept on, continually, not confessing Him (John 12:42). • The Bible clearly teaches that believing in Jesus is not sufficient to please God! • Loving “the praise of men more than praise of God” will cost your soul (John 12:42-43)!
Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 12 • The words of Jesus are the authority by which we will be judged in the last day (12:48)! • Jesus plainly taught that those who truly believe in Him are those who obey Him. • Jesus said, He who “hears My words and does not keep them…” (John 12:47). • Abides in darkness (John 12:46). • Is not judged/condemned without opportunity to obey (John 12:47). • Is condemned already (Jn. 3:18) because of his own stubborn actions & choices.
Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 12 • The words of Jesus are the authority by which we will be judged in the last day (12:48)! • Jesus continued, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words…” (12:48). • Is already being judged because there is a universal standard/authority! • Is judged by the very thing he has rejected – the words of Jesus! • Is judged now by the words of Jesus and will be judged in the last day! • Jesus and His words have all authority today (cf. Matt. 28:18). • The words of Jesus are the words of the Father – no more and no less (12:49-50). • He will be our judge & will use the standard He left for us in His word! • Rejecting anything in His word is a rejection of Jesus Himself. • We must hold fast to His word and do as He commands—no more and no less!
An Overview/Theme of John 12:“Jesus’ Hour Had Come” • Jesus transitioned from “His hour had not yet come” to “The hour has come.” • Up to this point, Jesus had said His hour/time had not yet come (2:4; 7:6, 30; 8:20). • Now, for the first time, Jesus said, “The hour has come…” (John 12:23). • From this point on, “Jesus knew that His hour had come” (12:27; 13:1; 16:32; 17:1).
An Overview/Theme of John 12:“Jesus’ Hour Had Come” • The hour that had come was the hour of Jesus’ death! • John 12 begins the last week of Jesus’ life (“six days before the Passover,” 12:1). • Jesus knew He only had a few days remaining: • “Me you do not always have” (12:8); “a little while longer” (12:35-36). • Jesus spoke of His death as the time when He would be “glorified.” • “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified” (v. 23, 16). • “For this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name” (27-28). • By death He would be glorified: • He would achieve the purpose for which He came – the redemption of man. • He would be able to return to the glory of heaven, from whence He came.
An Overview/Theme of John 12:“Jesus’ Hour Had Come” • The hour that had come was the hour of Jesus’ death! • Jesus knew and affirmed that His death on the cross was absolutely essential! • He taught that if the grain does not die, fruit is not produced (24). • Only in death (specifically, His death) could life (eternal) be produced! • If Jesus did not die, life would not be possible! • His soul was “troubled” about death; His Father’s will must be done! • He would not ask the Father to “save [Him] from this hour” (John 12:27). • The very purpose Jesus came into the world was for His “hour” to die (27). • His chief desire was to honor the Father – “Glorify Your name” (John 12:28). • The manner of His death was not unknown. He knew He’d be crucified. • “‘Lifted up from the earth’…signifying by what death He would die” (32-33). • Jesus knew it was essential to fulfill His purpose and secure redemption.
An Overview/Theme of John 12:“Jesus’ Hour Had Come” • The voice of the Father thundered at Jesus’ hour (28-30). • A voice came from heaven three times during the life of Jesus: • At His baptism—the “beginning” of His ministry (Matt. 3:17). • At His transfiguration—near the “middle” of His ministry (Matt. 17:5). • Just days before the cross—at the “end” of His ministry (John 12:28). • The voice of the Father confirmed (John 12:28): • “I have both glorified” My name already (through the work of Christ). • “And will glorify [My name] again” when work is completed on cross. • Jesus said that the voice was not for His sake, to reassure Him (John 12:30). • He told the people that the voice was for their sake (John 12:30). • The people needed to be assured (again) of the glory & deity of Christ.
An Overview/Theme of John 12:“Jesus’ Hour Had Come” • In His death, Jesus brought an end and a beginning (John 12:32)! • He ended the domination of Satan, seizing power over sin, death & the grave (32a). • He made the gospel, and life through the gospel, available to all men (John 12:32b).
An Overview/Theme of John 12:“Jesus’ Hour Had Come” • Knowledge of Jesus and faith in Him was spreading! • “A great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came…” (John 12:9). • “A great multitude…heard that Jesus was coming…went out to meet Him” (12:13). • “The people, who were with Him” when He raised Lazarus, “bore witness” (12:17). • “The people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign” (12:18). • “The Pharisees therefore said…, ‘Look, the world has gone after Him!” (John 12:19). • “There were certain Greeks” who came, saying, “We wish to see Jesus” (John 12:21).
An Overview/Theme of John 12:“Jesus’ Hour Had Come” • Jesus gave instructions during “His hour,” so that we might be ready for “our hour.” • “Hate” (i.e., love less) “life in this world,” making it secondary to eternal life (12:25). • Serve Jesus and follow Jesus (both verbs indicating continuous action) (John 12:26). • “Walk in the light” that you may not “walk in darkness” (12:35-36; cf. 1 John 1:7). • Believe in Jesus & faithfully keep His words to be prepared for judgment (12:44-48).
How Chapter 12 Helps to Fulfill the Overall Purpose of the Gospel of John • A great many of the Jews came – saw – and believed (John 12:9-11). • Readers are reminded three times about raising Lazarus from the dead (12:1, 9, 17). • Jesus fulfilled O.T. prophecy—prophecies that “were written about Him” (12:12-16). • Jesus did “so many signs before them” (John 12:37, 18). • The Jews, unknowingly and unintentionally, fulfilled O.T. prophecy (John 12:37-41).