What Jesus Did

Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, "Sir, we want to meet Jesus." Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus. Jesus replied, "Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory."

—John 12:20-23 NLT

Key Thought


The enemies of Jesus proclaim it. The non-Jewish Greek seekers demonstrate it. Jesus has won. The world is looking for Jesus as...

 

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!"

—John 12:12-13 NLT

Key Thought


The people hope Jesus is their conquering savior sent to deliver them from the Romans. They hail him as the great King David's heir. Jesus, however...

 

But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray [Jesus], said, "That perfume was worth a year's wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor." Not that he cared for the poor — he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples' money, he often stole some for himself.

—John 12:4-6 NLT

Key Thought


Ever notice that some people at church can criticize much more freely than they can praise, encourage, serve, or sacrifice? Satan has a way...

 

Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: "Don't be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey's colt." His disciples didn't understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.

—John 12:14-16 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus must be regarded differently because of his...

 

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus — the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus' honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

—John 12:1-3 NLT

Key Thought


Our sense of smell...

 

When all the people heard of Jesus' arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.

—John 12:9-11 NLT

Key Thought


How could a religious movement intent on doing good become murderous and treacherous? Over the centuries, there have been atrocities committed in the name of...

 

Jesus replied [to Judas], "Leave her alone. She [anointed me] in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

—John 12:7-8 NLT

Key Thought


Scripture is clear: We are to help the poor, feed the hungry, and care for widows, orphans, and aliens among us. At the same time, we may have questions about our decisions. How should we give? What do we give specifically and graciously to help the poor among us...

 

[Since the Jewish leaders were plotting his death,] Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.

—John 11:54 NLT

Key Thought


In all four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), we learn that the last part of Jesus' ministry is specifically focused on teaching and preparing his disciples for his return to the Father. Many in the crowd turn...

 

It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, "What do you think? He won't come for Passover, will he?" Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they...

 

[Caiaphas] did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world. So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus' death.

—John 11:51-53 NLT

Key Thought


Even those who oppose God can be used by God to declare his grace. His plan was to save his people, Israel, and also reach the...