John- Fragrant Worship
Orient John 12:1-50
This chapter is the last section in the first part of the book: signs that point to Jesus as Messiah. This chapter extends the events of chapter 11, the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Structurally it contains narrative sections as well as speeches from Jesus about Himself. Chronologically, the week before the final Passover feast in John, where Jesus will ultimately be crucified is detailed. Mary’s anointing happens 6 days before Passover, and the triumphal entry, 5 days etc. so the reader can easily follow along. A common occurrence in John, division among the people is present as they argue about the identity of Jesus and the Pharisees continue to plot a way to eliminate Him.
Introduction
What do you love the most? In my early 20’s in a sermon on idolatry, my pastor said you could determine what was important to a person by looking at their calendar or their checkbook. This will date me greatly as I don’t know anyone who has a paper checkbook register anymore! Yet this litmus test is very telling about what you are devoted to. We prioritize our time and our money, two of the most precious resources we have, to things important to us. Today’s passage contains many expressions of worship and what we give glory to. As you read, reflect on your heart’s treasure. My hope is that you see more of Jesus and are drawn to give Him first-place in all you do.
Opening Prayer
Jesus, let me prize my time with You so much that I bow at Your feet. Let my worship perfume the space around me. Let me behold You today as my coming King. I desire that the whole world will go after You the humble Savior. Draw me to Yourself. I want to walk with You in the light; protect me from darkness. I seek the glory of God as I trust more and more in Your words, which are one with the Father’s commands. Amen
Meditation
Read and reread the following passage, taking God’s word in deeply. As you do be sensitive to a phrase or verse the Holy Spirit emphasizes to you personally.
12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt!”
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.
36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.”
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me.45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
Paraphrase
Rewrite the phrase or verse that the Holy Spirit highlighted during meditation. What is your take away?
Reflect
1. Matthew and Mark share their account of the anointing in their gospels[1] and note the detail that Mary also pours the oil on Jesus’ head. Anointing the head is symbolic of acknowledging kingship and the feet is indicative of devotion to a master. If you claim Jesus as Lord, do you worship Him as your King and Master?
2. In this culture, waving palms was symbolic of victory over an enemy. The followers greeting Jesus with the branches were hoping for deliverance from Rome yet the enemy that Christ came to defeat was bigger than that! Our greatest enemy is sin because its hold over all of us is death; the sacrifice of Christ would take away the devil’s power. What victory has Christ given you personally over your sin? What strongholds still need to be surrendered to the work of Christ?
3. Throughout the gospel, many come to Andrew and Andrew introduces them to Jesus. Are you like Andrew? Why or why not?
4. In verse 27 Jesus admits his soul is troubled. Does it give you comfort to know that Jesus responds to trials emotionally much like we do, yet maintains perfect trust in the Father? How can you be more like Christ when suffering in your life?
5. The religious leaders who trusted in Christ struggled to confess their belief as they still wanted access to their old way of worship. Our world is becoming increasingly hostile to those who confess Christianity. Can you relate to this fear?
Closing Prayer
Jesus, I come to You today and worship You as my King and Master. You have authority over my life to guide and direct me and I submit to You. You are the Victor over sin, fear, death and no weapon formed against me shall prosper[2] as I put myself under your spiritual protection. Let me trust in Your victory over my sin as I continually come to you to offer myself to be purified from my [name specific sins you are struggling with]. Like Andrew, let me bring my family, friends, and coworkers to You [name them] so they can experience the relief of living unburdened and become alive! In my trials, remind me that You were also troubled and can relate to me, giving me ultimate comfort. Take away all fear of confessing You before men because if the world hates me, the rejected You first[3]. Their disdain of me means that I am aligned with you, the One who has defeated my greatest enemy.
Continue praying personally to the Lord with what He showed you during mediation and reflection.
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