Thru the Gospel of John Загвар

A different kind of King.

In the last weeks of His life, Jesus turns His focus to the people closest to Him. He visits again with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Yes, Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead now shares a meal with Him. Martha serves, as always. And Mary sits at Jesus’ feet in worship, as we often find her. 

Mary continues her worship when she takes expensive perfume and anoints Jesus’ feet and dries them with her hair. This act met with polar responses. Judas reveals his true nature and criticizes Mary’s extravagance, but Jesus defends her gift. She sensed He was to die, and she was anointing Him for death ahead of time. 

Meanwhile, many curiosity-seekers came to see Lazarus—the living/walking miracle. The chief priests also began to conspire how to kill Lazarus. The next day, Palm Sunday, the people followed Jesus into Jerusalem. 

As Jesus rode down the Mount of Olives on a donkey according to Old Testament prophecy, Jesus offered Himself publicly as their King that day. But the people rejected Him as Savior. Even His disciples didn’t understand His significance until later, after His resurrection. 

Jesus could have been crowned king without going to the cross that day, but then we could never be saved. He must go to the cross if He’s to be our Savior. 

For the Jews and the Romans, the cross was a place of disgrace and shame—a scaffold where criminals died. But for Jesus, it was the place of redemption, where He could save us from the curse of the Law (see Philippians 2:8 and Hebrews 12:2). Mercy, pardon, and forgiveness are found there, and it’s a beautiful thing. 

And so, with a troubled soul, Jesus cries to His Father in heaven and in loving response, His Father speaks back to Him. 

“Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

When God’s voice came from heaven, some heard thunder (a natural explanation to the supernatural); others said they heard an angel. Jesus said God’s voice was for our sakes, and He chose death so that He could draw people to Him. 

Next, listen in on Jesus’ last talk with His disciples. 

Question: Through Jesus’ life and death, the Father's Name is glorified. How can you glorify the Name of God in your life today?