Death is the Way to Life

John 12:20-26

Some Gentiles had been observing Jesus and wanted to meet Him. They approached Philip who through Andrew arranged for them to meet. I’m sure the entire conversation is not recorded but we know that Jesus made this comment to them: “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies it bears much fruit.”

We can see this concept demonstrated in several ways. Jesus speaks of a grain of wheat and I’m reminded of a kernel of corn. One kernel of corn produces a large plant with several ears of corn. Each of those ears of corn contains about 650 kernels. Consider how fast that multiples. Consider how many acorns an oak tree produces every year with each one of them capable of producing a tree.

From the animal kingdom we know that a caterpillar builds a cocoon and dies and becomes a beautiful butterfly which I think is a beautiful picture of what happens to us. We are living on earth in our sin racked bodies and are certain to die. Hardly anyone lives to be over 100 years old. But that is not the end of our existence for we are created to be eternal beings.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.” That is so because when Christians die we enter into an even greater relationship with our Lord. The fellowship we enjoy with Him is even greater than what we experience in our earthly lifetime. We are not burdened with the sin nature any longer.

While death is a rather scary process, because no one has been on the other side and come back to tell us about it, we as Christians can have a completely different attitude because we know our eternal destination.

It is good to be reminded, however, that the ability to trust Christ as our Savior ends at our physical death. Remember the story in Luke 16:19-31 of the rich man and Lazarus. That story reminds us that our eternal destiny cannot be changed after our physical death. This truth should lead us to share the wonderful story of our relationship with Jesus as our Savior.

Entry Into Jerusalem

John 12:12-19

The time for the Passover had come and a great number of people had come into Jerusalem to celebrate the feast. The multitude heard that Jesus was coming and there was much enthusiasm for they were ready to crown Him king.

You wouldn’t expect a king to come into a city riding on a donkey, but on a chariot surrounded by much protection and in kingly regalia. But that is exactly what Jesus did as He was fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 “Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Notice that even those He had discipled the most didn’t understand what was transpiring. But notice in v. 16 John records that they did later when Jesus was glorified and the Holy Spirit became active in their lives. As I consider this statement about the disciples I am reminded how often I don’t understand the purpose of some of the things that happen in my life until I reflect back later how the Lord used a situation in my life to mature me or to help me share my faith.

Once again as we read about Lazarus we are reminded that the multitude is attracted to Jesus because of the miracles He performed and their belief that He can right then become their king and provide for all their physical needs. They did not understand what was going on from a spiritual perspective. Neither did the Pharisees, but they did understand they were losing the battle as the people were attracted to Jesus. Because the reaction of the crowd was so positive they were afraid to take further action against Jesus

As we consider the reactions of the public to Jesus I’m reminded that it is not that much different than today. Many are really not interested in Christianity or a relationship with Jesus until they get into a situation beyond their control in which they need help. Then they look for a miracle to care for their physical needs. While Jesus is certainly willing to help us in that area our spiritual needs are much more important. When we understand that our relationship with Jesus is eternal, it takes on a completely different perspective involving different priorities.

The Ointment

“Mary therefore took a pound of very costly, genuine spikenard ointment, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment” John 12:3

I’d like to spend some time on this verse because it is ripe with meaning and application. We’ve considered Mary before and know quite a bit about her personality and her love for the Lord. In this verse we see that manifested in yet another way. Notice the verse says the ointment was very costly; estimated to equal almost a year’s wages. Think about the lavishness of that gift but also consider the lavishness of God’s love for you to be willing to give His own Son to die on the cross so that we might spend eternity with Him.

Consider also the fact that she wiped His feet with her hair, a dramatic demonstration of humility. She cared little for herself and much for Him.

Think about the lavishness of the Son’s love to go about the pain and agony of death just for you. Ephesians 1:7-8 says “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us.”

Now consider your approach to giving to the Lord’s work. Are you willing to do that lavishly or does your Savior get the leftovers. It is my firm conviction that our top priority with those things we consider assets should be to ask what does the Lord want me to return to Him and then be obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Look at the Lord’s response to Mary’s action. In verses seven and eight we see He was pleased. I don’t think that was necessarily true because of the cost of the gift, but because of Mary’s attitude. Consider his attitude when the poor widow gave two small copper coins. He was as pleased with that as He was with the ointment (Luke 21:2-3).

We know how great is God’s love for us; how great is your love for Him.

Jesus Power Over Death

John 11:1-57

This is a wonderful chapter of the Bible and there are many people featured in this portion of Scripture from whom we can learn much. For instance consider the person of Mary. I wrote several devotionals about her several years ago. Think about the personality differences between her and her sister Martha and examine how they both revealed their great faith. Which of them is more like you?

Consider verses 9 and 10 where Jesus claims to be the light of the world and all the ramifications of that. Think about the contrast of walking in the light of His teachings which we can learn from the Bible and walking in darkness, without the knowledge we can gain from the Scriptures and without the ministry of the Holy Spirit if we are not a Christian. Our desire to walk in the light should drive us to the daily study of the Bible.

Have you ever considered that Lazarus was not really resurrected but was resuscitated. He would have to face death again. Jesus is the only person in history who has been resurrected, but we, as Christians, can be assured that we will be resurrected with heavenly bodies when the Lord returns to take us home to spend eternity with Him.

It would be profitable to study the person of Thomas, who is most famous for doubting Jesus resurrection. Here he shows his devotion by being willing to follow Him to death.

Would you memorize verses 25-26: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.’” What a tremendous promise that is. Note the difference between physical death and spiritual death as both are mentioned here.

Jesus love is reflected in His conversation with Mary. Even though He knew that the resuscitation of Lazarus would bring joy to Mary He was deeply moved by her current sorrow and wept with her.

After this tremendous demonstration of His power over death many believed, but just as in the past many also did not believe and continued to plot to kill Him. We must realize that the Truth of the Bible always divides people. Many people accept it and live by it, but even more reject it and go their own way. Our responsibility is to share the good news of the Gospel and let the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of those with whom we share.