John 12
1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
The Doctrine of Giving: A ‘pence’ was the same as a ‘penny’, which in that era was equal to an average day’s wage. Transferring that to today’s economy in America, the value of that spikenard might have been around (300 x $100) $30,000 ! It may have been worth less than that relatively, but, nonetheless, it was a fair some of money to say the least. This giving didn’t necessarily help get the gospel out, or help some missionary or church, but was a ‘love’ gift; a gift of sacrifice; designed to show appreciation to the Lord Jesus Christ; and wasn’t designed to help anyone or anything else. God was very impressed with this gift. How would we apply this type of gift today?
The Doctrine of Money: Always be mildly suspect of the church’s Treasurer; routinely investigate whether their dealings are beyond reproach. Judas was that church’s treasurer. There often are church members who don’t want church money being spent on anything other than that which helps them, personally; i.e. they often are against large monetary gifts going to Missions, but would rather have it go to a new building…
9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. 16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. 17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
The Doctrine of the Resurrection: What type of body did Lazarus have? Was it the same as his previous physical body, just without the ‘diseased part’? Was it an immortal body? Did Lazarus have to eventually die again? Did he go to Heaven when Jesus took ‘captivity captive’ up to the 3rd Heaven (as potentially did the many that were resurrected from the dead after Jesus’ resurrection)? Lazarus isn’t mentioned again after this. This miracle was used to cause many of the Jews to believe on Jesus Christ, which infuriated the Pharisees, and thus wanted Lazarus dead…maybe they killed him…
The Doctrine of The Messiah: This was prophesied in Psalm 118:25,26. He is known as the ‘King of Israel’. This King comes to the city on an ass’s colt… humbly (as did Jesus in a few more days); but, He will return at His 2nd Coming on a powerful white horse with His armies with Him. The disciples did not understand this prophecy at first; but later, after His resurrection, they did. Thus, since Jesus’ closest disciples were, in general, not seeing Jesus as the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies, surely the average Jew did not either (prior to His resurrection).
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
The Doctrine of Salvation: It appears that this was a very unique point in time in Jesus’ fulfilling prophecy; for, it is here that ‘the hour is come’ where Jesus would be ‘glorified’, but first would be crucified. What was the key event here? Well, it seems to be the Greeks calling for Jesus. This would imply that Jesus is opening up to reaching the Gentiles; but, I know of no specific prophecy that this would be fulfilling other than Him being a ‘light unto the Gentiles’ (Is 42:6, 49:6, 60:3, Lk 2:32, Acts 13:47, 26:23). Salvation went to the Jews first, and now it was ready to go unto the Gentiles; for after Christ is glorified and leaves Earth, His disciples would go out and preach to the Gentiles (mainly).
The analogy with the corn of wheat is speaking of Jesus’ death bringing about much spiritual fruit (potentially billions!).
The Doctrine of Discipleship: A true disciple of Jesus Christ is to ‘hate his life in this world’. This means hating the kind of life that the average person lives here on Earth (try and make money and enjoy life). If you truly do serve the Lord then you will follow Him, and thus do whatever He has done and would be doing if He were still on Earth (would that be working a 9 to 5 job and play tennis on the weekends?!…). These true disciples (servants) will be especially honored by the Father (for eternity in Heaven).
27 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. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. 30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die. 34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
The Doctrine of God the Father: I know of only 2 other places in the New Testament where the Father spoke so that people on Earth could hear: at Jesus’ baptism and at the Mt. of Transfiguration. Thus, this event is a very key event, as were these other two. The Father’s voice thundered. His voice came for the benefit of the disciples, not for Jesus’. Jesus actually begs His Father to save Him from going to the cross (thus, this was done prior to His praying this in the Garden of Gethsemene). This was the human aspect of His being; it was troubled. But, He knew His whole goal in coming to Earth. It was ultimately to glorify the name of the Father by being obedient even unto the death of the cross. All this was transpiring with less than 6 days till His crucifixion.
The Doctrine of the Crucifixion: Being ‘lifted up from the earth’ was well understood by that culture to mean ‘crucifixion’. This is speaking of the fulfillment of the antitype of Numbers 21 (Serpent of Brass). Jesus clearly signified to those standing around Him that He would die via crucifixion. And, the people understood this, but wrongly believed that the Christ would not die.
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. 37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
The Doctrine of Faith: These Jews and Gentiles had ‘the’ Light of the world before their eyes (Jesus Himself) but would not believe in the light nor walk in it. There were many miracles done before them but they wouldn’t believe on Him. This fulfilled scripture (Is 53:1; 6:9,10). They had every opportunity to believe on Him: Jesus right there before them, and all the miracles He performed… but did not believe. God blinded their spiritual eyes and hardened their heart because they rejected Him, so He made it ridiculously obvious. They had already blinded and hardened themselves, and then God did it the rest of the way. We, today, do not have Jesus here, nor do we have the miracles, yet we believe…
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
The Doctrine of Faith: Many Jewish chief rulers believed on Jesus (I suppose were truly saved) but would not openly confess this because they didn’t want to be put out of the synagogue (one might argue they were not truly saved because of this, though). One’s faith is ultimately on the Father, the One who sent Jesus.
The Doctrine of Judgment: Jesus’ 1st Advent was not to judge, but rather to save. But, at His 2nd Advent it is to judge. Then, His word (the words in our Bible) will be used to judge mankind (both at the Judgment Seat of Christ and at the Great White Throne Judgment).
The Doctrine of God the Father: Jesus would only speak the words that His Father commanded Him to speak. The Father’s (main) commandment is ‘eternal life’ (which is found solely in Jesus Christ). He commands that all men get saved thru Jesus Christ and have eternal life… Everlasting life is a commandment from the Father… He commands that all that believe on His Son will indeed have everlasting life.