JOHN 12
JESUS TRAVELS FROM BETHANY + ENTERS JERUSALEM
In the week before Passover, Jesus is in Bethany with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. As Lazarus dines with Jesus and Martha serves the meal, Mary takes an expensive balm and anoints the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair. Showing humility and sacrifice, Mary honors Him with this intimate and meaningful act.
Judas, one of the disciples who would later betray Jesus, questions why Mary did this. Instead of using the valuable ointment on Jesus, Judas would have sold the ointment, allegedly to give the money to the poor, but likely keeping it for himself. Jesus tells Judas to leave Mary alone and instructs her to keep the ointment for the day of His burial, which Jesus knows is quickly approaching. Jesus acknowledges that His time on earth is temporary and fleeting, telling Judas that He will not always be physically with them.
While He is in Bethany near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sends two of the disciples to bring Him a colt or young donkey. The disciples place their cloaks on the donkey for Jesus to sit on. As He rides the donkey down the Mount of Olives, He fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah, who claims that the Savior would enter Jerusalem with humility, mounted on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9).
The crowd places branches and cloaks along the road, paving the way for His entrance. As Jesus draws near, the people rejoice and praise Him, saying “Hosanna,” a plea for salvation meaning “Save us.” Upon seeing Him glorified, the crowds continue to follow Him and serve as His witnesses.
Some Greek men, non-Hebrew followers of Jesus, want to see Him among the crowds. Jesus answers them, telling them it is time for the Son of Man to be lifted up, referencing His impending death. Heteaches that whoever gives their life to following God will gain their life in eternity, highlighting the importance of the eternal over the temporary.
Jesus declares that the purpose of His death would glorify God. God audibly responds to this claim, confirming that it has been glorified and would be glorified again! Jesus tells the people that God spoke for their sake, so they would believe. He is obedient to the will of God the Father and trusts that His death will draw people towards God.
After saying this, there are people who still do not believe Jesus. Quoting the prophet Isaiah, Jesus refers to the prophecy that God would reveal Himself to the people, but they would have blinded eyes and hardened hearts (Isaiah 53:1-3, Isaiah 44:18). He calls out the Pharisees for loving the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
Jesus speaks not with His own authority, but with the authority of God. He did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. Whoever believes in Jesus believes in God who sent Him and will enter into eternal life.
