John 12
by Philip Layton
The triumphal entry and Jesus predicts his death
Discussion Questions
- Why is the information about the disciples’ ignorance in verse 13 useful? How does it add credibility to the Gospel account?
- Can you imagine what it must have been like to hear the voice of God (vv 28-30)?
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Going Deeper from 'Words of Life'
In John 12 we read of Jesus returning to Bethany to visit Mary, Martha and Lazarus. It is six days before the Passover and the day before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Apart from the episode of his resurrection at Jesus’ hand, we tend to not think too much about Lazarus and any further role he played in the gospel story, but this passage indicates that many people came to see Lazarus, we assume to verify the miracle of which they’d heard. It adds that ‘on account of him’ many people put their faith in Jesus.
Imagine being the living proof of a miracle of Jesus. Would you sign autographs? Would people want to touch you? Would you get tired of the constant stream of visitors wanting to hear the same old story?
Well, we may not have been brought back from physical death, but Jesus is responsible for reviving us from being spiritually dead. There’s a sense in which each of us is another miracle of Jesus. We have new life in his name!
Who would Lazarus say Jesus is? I believe he would say Jesus is the giver of life, the reason for living and the source of eternal life. As each person who came to see Lazarus to ask if the story was true, he would let them touch him and he would say, ‘Jesus is the way, the truth and – without a shadow of a doubt – the life.’
Today
Reflect for a moment on our Scripture passage and how Lazarus would have felt sitting with a man who gave him life. Thank Jesus for the new life he has given you
Beverly Ivany
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