Bible Pathways 11/5/2003

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 often see Him withdrawing Himself from public notice, and bidding His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ (Messiah) (Matthew 16:20). When He raised the daughter of Jairus, He charged them straitly (strictly) that no man should know it (Mark 5:43). When they came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, He instructed His disciples that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of Man were risen from the dead (9:9). The reason for this can be seen because, when the 5,000 who were miraculously fed by two fish and five loaves of bread planned to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone (John 6:15). When His unbelieving brethren urged Him to show Himself to the world. . . . then Jesus said to them: My time is not yet come (7:4,6).

Now Jerusalem was crowded with worshipers who had come from Judea, Samaria, Galilee, and 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 . . . to purify (cleanse) themselves (11:55-56) as well as to see Jesus.

As Jesus made His public entry into Jerusalem, the religious leaders were overwhelmed by the immense crowd that followed Him, and they were heard to say: Behold, the world has gone after Him (12:19). At the God-appointed time, Jesus openly and rightly accepted the acclaim of the multitude that He was their 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. 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 even more than the praise of God (John 12:42-43).

Word Studies:

11:47 council = Sanhedrin, the Jewish 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 Psalm 118:26. John 12:15: See Zechariah 9:9. John 12:38: See Isaiah 53:1. John 12:40: See Isaiah 6:9-10; Exodus 4:21.

Prayer Needs:

BP Staff: Barbara Jean Jackson · Pray for Bible Pathway Faith Promise Supporters · for the International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in honor of Henry Rogers · Government Officials: Rep. Bob Barr (GA), Gov. Ted Kulongoski (OR), and Rep. Nick Smith (MI) · Country: Brunei (400,000) on the northern coast of Borneo · Major languages: Malay and English · Limited religious freedom · 66% Muslim; 19% Chinese religions; 6% animist; 4% Protestant; 4% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to bring our nation to repentance (I Kings 8:33-36).

Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 5:16