Our Security for Eternity - the Gospel of John Sample

Week 5

Read: John 11:45–12:11

SOAP: John 11:51–52

Now he did not say this on his own, but because he was high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the Jewish nation, and not for the Jewish nation only, but to gather together into one the children of God who are scattered.

Lazarus’ resurrection was a significant event. Many people had been there at the tomb and watched him come out. These people saw what Jesus did and believed in Him. Some of the witnesses went to the Pharisees, who were already looking for a reason to kill Jesus. The Pharisees and ruling council were afraid that if the Romans caught wind of a Jewish Messiah or someone the Jews considered a king, the nation of Israel would be destroyed. The Romans killed anyone who committed treason against Caesar, and a Jewish king and anyone who followed him would certainly be against Rome.

They decided Jesus should die. For, they believed, if one person died but the entire nation was saved, His death would be worth it. What they did not realize was that Jesus’ death would not save them from the Romans but that it would save the world from sin and death.

Raising Lazarus to life led to the death of Jesus; the death of Jesus led to life for the world. God was glorified by the raising of Lazarus and, even more so, glorified at the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus would die so many would believe and be saved. Jesus is the Son of God and the only way to eternal life; His death brings life to all who believe in Him.

Mary’s offering was one of worship. She had seen Jesus do mighty works in her life, including raising her brother from the dead. She had seen His resurrection power in action and displayed her love for Jesus through this extravagant act. But Mary’s offering was also one of preparation. She anointed Jesus as one would anoint a body for burial, which Jesus acknowledged. Whether or not Mary understood this is not shown, but Jesus knew what was to come and He accepted Mary’s act of worship.

This is a pivotal scene in John’s Gospel. From this point on we feel the urgency and nearness of Jesus’ death. Jesus knew it. He knew His death was coming and coming quickly. Each scene from this point forward is meant to signal to the reader what is to come.

We are meant to see great contrast in this section, from those who believed in Jesus to those who reported Him, from the Pharisees who sought to kill Him to Mary who honored Him before His death. And here, we are also shown again that Judas would betray Jesus. John builds tension and suspense as we enter the final chapter of Jesus’ public ministry and the final days before His crucifixion.