Six Days Before Passover
“Six Days Before Passover”
Taught by: Carolyn Sissom
March 9, 2008
John Chapter 12
John 12:1 “Then Jesus six days before Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.”
The Sanhedrin had given orders that anyone who knew the whereabouts of Jesus should report it, so they could arrest Him. The population is aware of these orders and the plan to arrest Him. consequently the pilgrims are sort of betting whether or not He will come. It seems not a single person of the peasants of Ephraim turns up to betray him.
This year Jesus will be offered as God’s Lamb in accordance with the High Priest’s announcement. He left Ephraim to join the caravan on Friday. He journeyed to the Mt. of Olives where they would rest for the next day was the Sabbath. Bethany is in the neighborhood of the Mt. of Olives. After the Sabbath, Jesus and His disciples go to the home of Simon the leper. Here a dinner is held in His honor. The trophies of His power are with Him at the table Lazarus (resurrected) on one side. Simon (healed) on the other. It is a happy time of praise and thanksgiving.
(Verse 3) And then Mary brought out a whole pound of very expensive perfume and poured it over Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the perfume was such that it saturated the entire house.
This was an amazing act of devotion, amounting to a great honor conferred upon Jesus. God was pleased to have this precious event occur just prior to Judas’ treachery. The odor of royalty saturated the house and perhaps even to the countryside. It is hard for us to conceive the value of this act. For we do not count oriental perfumes among our family treasures; To use a full pound in such a fashion was unheard of, no matter how wealthy a person might be.
(Verse 4, 5, 6) At this, Judas one of His disciples – the one who was going to betray Jesus---when he saw this, burst out. “Why wasn’t this perfume sold? It could have brought three hundred pieces of silver which could have been given to the poor!” Now he said this not out of concern for the poor, but because he was a thief. As treasurer of the Twelve, he was used to helping himself to the funds in the money box!
Judas’ first recorded words are a hypocritical protest against squandering this rare perfume on Jesus. He has no love for the Lord. Mary lavished 300 pieces of silver on Jesus’ feet. Judas sold Him for thirty. It is to the praise of Jesus that He said and did nothing to give away the true identify of this evil man among the twelve.
(Verses 7, 8) ‘Let her alone” replied Jesus to this outburst. “Isn’t it enough that she sacrificed to keep this for the day of preparation in advance of my burial? You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have Me!”
Sensing His approaching death as a sacrifice, she anoints His body for burial. Others will anoint Him after death, she six days before. That’s what makes it an act of faith. Jesus acknowledges Mary’s sacrifice by declaring a perpetual memorial in her honor.
(Verses 9, 10, 11) When the masses who resided in Jerusalem heard that Jesus was back in the vicinity, they came out to Bethany, not only to see Jesus, but to get a glimpse of Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. This caused the chief priests to plot against the life of Lazarus as well. For on account of him, many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him.
This was the sensation of the hour. If Jesus wants a crowd then or now, all He has to do is some miracles.
(Verses 12, 13,) The next day (Five Days before Passover), a great crowd of the caravan pilgrims, who had gone on into the city for the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem went out to meet Him. They seized palm branches as they went and waved them shouting, “Hosanna: Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
KING – It is now Sunday the day we now honor as Palm Sunday. I do know that next Sunday is Palm Sunday. However, I want to be able to cover all six days plus the Resurrection by Easter Sunday. In order to do that, I am teaching this chapter this week.
Jesus is thronged about by the residents of the city. The word is flashed that Jesus’ party is approaching. The city is almost emptied as the crowds rush forth. This time Jesus doesn’t spurn the attempt to make Him King. And it has a magical effect on the Galileans, whom He before refused. Excitement fills the air. The people are filled with tumultuous joy. It seems that none but Mary suspected He was coming as the sacrificial Lamb for this Passover.
The road from Bethany into the city was lined with date palms, regarded from ancient times as the emblem of Israel. Luke mentions the strewing of the branches before Him, but John reports the people’s shouting. The Hosannas (mean: “Deliver now!”--.) This is the 10th of the Jewish month of Nisam and the Passover Lamb was to be “kept up until the 14th day of the same month.” And the whole congregation is to kill it in the evening. Jesus will die on schedule.
(Vs. 14, 15, and 16) For Jesus had found a young donkey and sat on it, precisely as the Scripture said He would”
“Do not be afraid any longer, daughter of Zion: See! Your King is coming, riding a young donkey.”
At the time His disciples didn’t understand the meaning of this, but after Jesus had been raised in glory, they remembered that the Scripture had said this about Him, and how they had carried out certain prophetic acts for Him. (Matt. 21: 4-7)
A prophetic moment has arrived. Jesus said He would come. Daniel told when (even to the day). Zachariah told how, even to the donkey, And Jesus’ ministry suddenly shifts. No longer does he avoid public acclaim; no longer does He refuse to be identified as Messiah. But even his disciples fail to see prophecy converging that day. Once again they were swept up in the fervor of king-fever! John would have us see the contrast between the great homage paid Jesus and his humble equipment –a donkey. It should have been obvious that a king entering Jerusalem in such low fashion had not come to expel the Romans. Great men and kings rode only horses in those times.
(Verses 17, 18, 19) This amazing reception was brought about by the testimonies of the crowd which had been with Jesus when he called Lazarus from the tomb, raising him out of death. This explains why so many rushed out to meet Him—they had heard how He had performed this amazing sign. Consequently when the Pharisees saw all this, they began remarking to one another---“See? We’re not getting any where! The whole world is running after Him!”
Behind this sweeping reception of Christ is the nation’s passion for a deliverer—A Savior from the Romans, not from sin.
Fourth and Fifth Days before Passover: (Monday and Tuesday)
(Verses 20, 21, 22) Now among those who had come to Jerusalem to worship during the feast, were some Gentiles, God-fearing Greeks. They approached Philip who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request, “Sir” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip consulted with Andrew and the two of them then went to Jesus with the request.
From all the furious events, which took place in Jerusalem on Monday and Tuesday, this is the one John selects. The scene occurs in the temple area after Jesus has again driven out the money changers and cattle auctioneers. Likely he is still near the court of the Gentiles, when the Greeks approach Phil. The air is a little tense. The songs and shouts of Sunday have turned to bitter controversy and suspicion. Tact is needed should Jesus be seen talking with Gentiles! These Greeks, who share the Messianic hope, were eager to confirm their faith by talking with the Lord. John records the request because it occasioned the great words of Jesus which followed.
(Verses 23, 24,) Then Jesus replied, “The time has now come for the Son of Man to be glorified. In all truth I tell you; a grain of wheat will forever remain a grain of wheat unless it falls into the ground and dies. But if it does then it will bring forth a harvest of many more grains.”
Jesus answers the Greeks by addressing His disciples in their hearing. At this moment it is important the He withhold from His enemies every pretext for reproach. The Jews merely tolerated the converted Greeks. He answers with a miracle of nature well-suited to their philosophical ears. It was His custom to answer the Jews with their own Scriptures. He is prophesying to them his death. Yet He sees beyond His death. The glory of a seed is the abundance it produces after it dies. Thus Jesus is speaking beyond His death to picture His own glory as a harvest of souls!
(25, 26,) The person who treasures his life on earth, clinging to human existence for what it might bring him loses it all eventually. All this life has to offer must finally be left behind. Everyone dies in time. But the person, who learns to despise his earthly life, so that he is willing to sacrifice it, ends up preserving his soul forever (unto life eternal). Anyone desiring to be My servant must follow Me. If he does, he will not only be with Me wherever I am, but he will also be honored by The Father.
He is still preaching to the Greeks. If they want to be with Him, they must heed the grain-dying principle Jesus will be surrounded in the future by those to whom His death gives divine life. It isn’t a bad trade for it brings (1) eternal life (2) companionship with Christ (3) sharing in Christ’s glory, honored by The Father. There is no shortcut. Death to self is required of all who expect to enjoy life after death. In it weakest sense it means the sacrifice of fame, family and fortune for Jesus. In its maximum sense, it means the loss of one’s life in living for Christ.
Verse 27: Now the anguish of My hour is upon Me, My soul aches with the agony of temptation. “Father save me from this hour: but for this cause came I under this hour!”
Jesus has been in death row for 3-1/2 years. The cross is now 48 hours away. He has known exalted moments, also stabbing ones like this. The request of the Greeks reminds Him of the horror awaiting when He will “become sin for us”, and “taste death for every man.” The King of Glory’s soul is troubled. He will soon have laid on Him the iniquity of us all! What is His alternative? Ask for exemption! Cancel the cross! Unthinkable! That’s why He came. John, who omits the garden scene, gives us this little Gethsemane. The experience of Gethsemane was more than a garden to Jesus. It was the whole road to Calvary. Yet the alternative is even worse. For unless Jesus died for us, God would remain an isolated grain of wheat forever!
(Verses 18, 29, 30) Father, glorify your name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. Thereupon the multitude which stood there listening declared that it had thundered. But some of them said, “an Angel has spoken to Him!” This voice, explained Jesus, came not because of me but for your sakes.
Instead of a reprieve, Jesus asks the Father to proceed with the redemption plan. God replies, “I will.” The people hear Him. When God speaks through a man, He uses that man’s vocal chords. When he speaks through nature, He uses nature’s vocal chords---thunder.
Hear are three depths of hearing:
- Articulate Voice of God heard by Jesus and His disciples.
- The ring of angelic words, by those who had ears to hear.
- Inarticulate thunderings by the masses.
This same similarity can be noted in Paul’s Damascus road experience.
When God says, ‘I have glorified it”, He likely refers to the progressive revelation of Himself through ancient Israel and the Ministry of Jesus Christ When He said I will glorify it, He is speaking of the Church.
31: Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
The fate of any kingdom rests with its ruler. With satan consigned to perdition, the destiny of his followers is also determined. The “world” is the entire kingdom of satan as the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4)
C.S. Lovett says that satan’s expulsion is not a single event. He was first cast from God’s presence (Luke 10:18) “And he said unto them, “I beheld satan as lightning fall from heaven.” His hold on mankind was broken at the cross. (Col. 2:15) “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” He is yet to be cast out of the spirit world and forced to operate in a body (Rev. 12:10) “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. He will be cast into the bottomless pit for a time. (Rev. 20:10) “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Jesus’ death on the cross seals satan’s fate. The devil’s last hope vanished with the cross. Now satan is in death row.
(32) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth I will draw all men unto me. This he said signifying what death he should die.”
The crucifixion is to be exaltation for it dethrones the “god of this world”. Thus, the Savior crucified is also the Savior glorified. The cross is not a defeat, but a victory. See also that it is Christ, Himself, not the cross which draws man.
The Lord’s death proves a righteousness which makes it possible for sinners to fellowship with God. They can leave satan’s realm and live with God—if they want to. Chapters 14, 15, and 16 in the Book of John are devoted to Jesus’ ministry in the Sprit.
(34)The people answered him, We have heard of the law that Christ abides for ever; and how sayest thou? The Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?
The people stumbled over His words. They challenged him. they asked him WHO? Jesus has accepted public worship as Messiah. A voice from heaven confirmed it. It is hard to deny Him now. But then he says He is going to die violently. The crowd is shocked. Their Messianic tradition was that Messiah’s arrival would be final and establish an eternal government?
(35, 36a) Jesus answered them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes. While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of the light.
When we study the Book of John in it’s entirety, we find Jesus revealed as the Light of the World, the true Light, The Word of God, Sin-bearer, Spirit-baptizer, sea-walker, Door to Heaven, Son of Joseph, Son of Man, Son of God, Only begotten Son, Water Baptizer, Lamb of God, The teacher, King of Israel, Life Giver, Mediator, Miracle Worker, Bread of Life, Blind man Healer, Gift of God, Savior, King of Israel, Resurrection and Life, and the Death Conqueror.
(Verse 36b and 37)
This was all Jesus would say to them. After that he hid himself from them. The last words they hear tell them they can become sons of Light by trusting in the Lord. And now they will need that kind of light to take them through the fearful night of trial about to descend. He will spend the last two days of His pre-cross life surrounded by His friends. It is now toward evening on Tuesday. Late Thursday afternoon He will return to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.
Jesus’ public ministry has ended.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
I used Lovett’s Lights on John with rephrased text by C.S. Lovett as the teaching text for this sermon. There are quotes from King James Bible and comments are my own.
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