Bible Pathways 11/05/2002

November 5

Read John 11 -- 12

In Today’s Reading:

Raising of Lazarus; Pharisees' plot to kill Jesus; Mary's anointing of Jesus' feet; triumphal entry; Jesus' answer to the Greeks.

Throughout the years of Jesus' ministry, we see Him withdrawing Himself from public notice, often into the wilderness, and even charging His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ (Matthew 16:20). When He raised the daughter of Jairus, He charged them . . . that no man should know it (Mark 5:43). When they came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, He gave orders to His disciples that they should tell no man about the things they had seen (9:9). The reason for this can be seen when the 5,000 who were miraculously fed by two fish and five loaves of bread planned to make Him king. He departed . . . into a mountain . . . alone (John 6:15). When His unbelieving brethren urged: Show Yourself to the world, He answered: My time has not yet come (7:4,6). Jerusalem was crowded with worshipers who had come from Judea, Samaria, Galilee, and from as far away as Greece. They came early in order that they might be ceremonially qualified to partake of the feast: The Jews' Passover was near at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves (11:55-56) as well as to see Jesus.

During the week preceding the Passover, His time had come. Jesus entered the Holy City of Jerusalem to be proclaimed the Messiah of Israel as prophesied throughout the Scriptures.

As Jesus made His public entry into Jerusalem, the religious leaders were overwhelmed by the immense crowd that followed Him and were heard to say: Behold, the world has gone after Him (12:19). Jesus openly and rightly accepted the acclaim of the multitude that He was the Messiah.

The prophet had foretold almost 500 years earlier: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, Your King comes to you . . . lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass (Zechariah 9:9). Israel's True King now officially presented Himself to the nation as fulfilling that prophecy. Even among the chief rulers . . . many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42-43).

Jesus knew that in a few days the hosannas (cries for salvation) from the multitudes would give place to another crowd that would rally around the hostile religious leaders. That crowd would shout: Away with Him, crucify Him (19:15). While the Israelite religious leaders were seeking to kill Jesus, there were Greek (Gentile) worshipers who were desirous to find Him. Certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast . . . came . . . to Philip . . . and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus (12:20-21). Though He had come to the Jews, Jesus sent an answer to the Greeks which did not differentiate between Jew and Gentile. He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 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 (John 12:25-26).

Thought for Today: We should live so others can see Christ living in us.

Word Studies:

11:47 council = Sanhedrin, the prosecuting body for both civil and religious crimes; 12:46 I am come a light = I have come to reveal the truth.

Cross References:

For John 12:13: See Psa. 118:26. John 12:15: See Zech. 9:9. John 12:38: See Isa. 53:1. John 12:40: See Isa. 6:9-10.

Prayer Needs:

Government Officials: Rep. Bob Barr (GA) and Rep. Nick Smith (MI) · Pray for your pastor · Country: Canada (31 million) in North America · Major Languages: English and French · Religious freedom · 47% Roman Catholic; 37% Protestant; 3% Eastern Orthodox; 2% cults; 1% Jewish · Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayers to the Lord as incense before God (Revelation 8:3-4).

Memory Verse for the Week: John 10:5