April 5, 2009
Evening Service

Remember, this is His last week of earthly life, in His earthly body.

Joh 12:1-50  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 odor 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.   

• Here Jesus was with dear friends, a good work was being done to Him, and Judas tries to throw a wet towel on the moment.  But just as only He could He quieted complainer with soft words of wisdom.

(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. 

• Even at the most sensitive times Jesus knew what to say, and how to say it.

(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.

• Two things, the witness of the resurrected Lazarus, and the evil spirit of the chief priests.
• Lazarus is only mentioned one other time in the Gospels, and that is in the parable of the rich man, and Lazarus.  Luke 16.  The rest we learn of him is in St. Jn.
• We see throughout the Gospels the attitude of the religious leaders of the Jews.  But just as Jesus said this morning in Luke, their eyes were blinded, that they couldn’t recognize who He was.  Paul elaborates on this idea in the Roman letter.

(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 Zion; 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. 

• Joh 13:31-32  Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.  (32)  If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify 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.

• Just as today, this was all controlled by God Almighty.  It is given unto you to believe.  You cannot come to the Father except the Holy Ghost draw you.  In order to be drawn, you must open your heart, and receive the engrafted Word that is able to save your soul.

(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. 

• This is one of many profound statements uttered by man.  Sir we would see Jesus.
• Some others are made by Pilate, “Behold the man.”  “Behold your King.”

(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 honor. 

• Can we not see the call for servitude, and forsaking worldly treasures, for a life with Christ?  It is so urged, and clear.

(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. 

• The people are confused.

(34)  The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth forever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?  (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. 

• Isn’t it marvelous that we know Him as the light of the world?

(37)  But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:  (38)  That the saying of Isaiah 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 Isaiah 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 Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. 

• Read this account more clearly in the Book of Romans.  Chapters, 9-11.

(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. 

• Don’t look to harshly on these people, they are to be pitied.  They are still with us today.

 

(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.

• Is not this the attitude, and goal of preachers today?  Did not the Apostle Paul say this when he said, “Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ.” 
• The cry throughout the N.T. writings are that we should speak, and teach the same thing in Unity.  Where does it start, but right here with Jesus.

 

My prayer this evening is that God will give you a wonderful, enlightening, and meaningful week.