Gold for the heart - John 12-14

John 12

1 Then six days before the passover Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. 4 Then Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, Simon’s son, who would betray him, said, 5 Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor? 6 He said this not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and took what was put in it. 7 Then Jesus said, Allow her: she has kept this for the day of my burying. 8 You will always have the poor with you; but you do not always have me.

This ointment was worth 11 months wages. Jesus knew how long Mary been saving for this. This was no small thing, but enormous.
It showed she truly loved God with all her heart (Deuteronomy 6:5).
Jesus also knew that Judas was a thief and stole the money people gave to the LORD.
What a contrast between Mary and Judas. She gave much to the Lord; Judas took away what was given to the Lord.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our dwelling with him.

His is the One

9 Many people of the Jews knew that he was there: and they did not come for Jesus’ sake only, but so also that they might see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also; 11 For because of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. 12 On the next day a large crowd came to the feast and when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 They took branches of palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that comes in the name of the Lord.

Psalm 22:28 For the kingdom is the LORD’s: and he is the governor among the nations.

Our King is Coming

He raises the dead

14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat on it; as it is written, 15 Fear not daughter of Zion: behold, your King comes, sitting on an ass’s colt. 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him and that they had done these things to him. 17 The people that were with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18 Because of this the people met him, for they heard that he had done this miracle. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Do you see that you profit nothing? Behold, the world has gone after him.

They should also—He made them! He upheld their life and breath.

Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so will also the coming of the Son of man be.

20 And certain Greeks among them came up to worship at the feast: 21 They came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip came and told Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them saying, The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. 24 Truth, I tell you the truth, Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone: but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. 25 He that loves his life will lose it; and he that hates his life in this world will keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there my servant will be also: if any man serves me, my Father will honor him.

The Lord is the source of life and all things.
Man can only think of one thought at a time. If we keep our eyes on the things rather than on Him we do not truly live because He is life.

Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye is single, your whole body will be full of light.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

The Father spoke from heaven

27 Now my soul is troubled; and what can I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I into this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name. Then a voice came from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29 Therefore the people that stood by heard it, and some said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to him. 30 Jesus answered and said, This voice did not come because of me but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now the prince of this world will be cast out.

1John 3:8 He that commits sin is of the devil for the devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

2Samuel 22:14 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.

He draws all men to Himself

32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me. 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was about to die. 34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ remains forever: and how do you say, The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man? 35 Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, so darkness not come upon you: for he that walks in darkness does not know where he goes. 36 While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. Jesus spoke these things and departed and hid himself from them.

The term ‘to be lifted up’ meant to be crucified. He was urging them to believe in Him and be saved.

Psalm 50:5 Gather my saints together to me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

John 1:9 That was the true Light that enlightens every man that comes into the world.

37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, still they did not believe on him: 38 That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe because Isaiah said again, 40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart; that they not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I heal them.

Why? They refused to listen.

2Thessalonians 2:10… they received not the love of the truth so that they might be saved.

Isaiah 48:8 Yes, you did not hear; yes, you did not know; yes, from that time that your ear was not opened: for I knew that you would deal very treacherously, and were called a transgressor from the womb.

41 Isaiah said these things when he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so they not be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Ezekiel 1:26-28 describes the appearance of the glory of the Lord—a sapphire throne high above with the form of a man of fiery amber flashing forth rainbows.

He came to save the world

His commandment is life everlasting

44 Jesus cried and said, He that believes on me, does not believe on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that sees me sees him that sent me. 46 I have come a light into the world that whoever believes on me should not stay in darkness. 47 And if any man hears my words and does not believe, I do not judge him: for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejects me, and does not receive my words has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same will judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father who sent me, he commanded what I say and what I speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: therefore what I speak, I speak just as the Father has spoken to me.

Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high

John 17:17 Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 13

Jesus loves and serves though He is Lord of all

1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come that he would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and went to God; 4 He got up from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and wrapped himself. 5 After that he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wrapped around him.

If all things were given into our hands our pride would soar to unbearable heights.
The divine nature of Jesus is just the opposite. He serves!
Man must be clean to be in God’s presence. Jesus cleansed us.

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men

John 15:3 Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

He cleanses us

6 Then Simon Peter came to him: and Peter said to him, Lord, do you wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said to him, You do not know what I am doing yet; but you will know after these things. 8 Peter said to him, You will never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, you have no part with me. 9 Simon Peter said to him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus said to him, He having bathed only needs to wash his feet, and is completely clean: and you are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who would betray him; therefore said he, You are not all clean.

The feet are the part of the body that makes contact continually with the world.
Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that His death for sin removed their sin are bathed.
We are forgiven because He took full punishment for each sin, not because we confess.
Then only regular confession of current or recent sin is necessary.

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1John 5:16 If any man sees his brother sin a sin that is not to death, he will ask, and he will give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he will pray for it.

Hebrews 9:23 It was necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his clothes, and was reclining again, he said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord: and you say well; for this I am. 14 If I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Truth, I tell you the truth, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither is he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.

Children do what they have seen others doing. This is what they learn, what they know.
There is no one greater than the Lord. Our Lord spoke creation into being (Genesis 1, Psalm 33:6, 9). He sustains all things (Colossians 1:16). There is no greater example.

18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me. 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that, when it happens, you may believe that I am he.

1,000 years earlier this prophecy was made.

Psalm 41:9 Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my food, has lifted up his heel against me.

20 Truth, I tell you the truth, He that receives whoever I send receives me; and he that receives me receives him that sent me. 21 When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Truth, I tell you the truth, that one of you will betray me. 22 Then the disciples looked one on another, perplexed about whom he spoke. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ chest one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Therefore Simon Peter beckoned him to ask who it was of whom he spoke. 25 Then the one lying on Jesus’ breast said to him, Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus answered, It is he to whom I give a sop when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

‘The sop was the best piece of the Passover lamb and a piece of unleavened bread with herbs. It was only given to the most honored guest at the supper. Jesus loved his betrayer to the end.’ Hal Lindsay, The Promise

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any perish, but that all come to repentance.

27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus to him, What you do, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew why he spoke this to him. 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said to him, Buy those things that we have need of for the feast; or, that he give something to the poor. 30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. 31 Therefore, when he had gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

Jesus was about to be crucified and then raised from the dead. That’s what He was talking about.
Creation shows the glory of God’s genius and power.
How can dying glorify God? Dying on the cross shows the glory of God’s infinite love.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him not perish, but have everlasting life.

32 If God is glorified in him, God also will glorify him in himself, and will straightway glorify him. 33 Little children, I am still with you a little while. You will seek me: and as I said to the Jews, Where I go, you cannot come; so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another. 36 Simon Peter said to him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus answered him, Where I go you can not follow me now; but you will follow me afterwards. 37 Peter said to him, Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake. 38 Jesus answered him, Will you lay down your life for my sake? Truth, I tell you the truth, The cock will not crow until you have denied me three times.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that you not enter into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak

1Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 72:17 His name will endure forever: his name will continue as long as the sun: and men will be blessed in him: all nations will call him blessed. 18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things. 19 And blessed is his glorious name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

John 14

God wants us all

He is coming for us to keep us with Him forever

1 Do not let your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Others may not want us, but God wants each one personally and eternally.

4 And you know where I go and you know the way. 5 Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father except through me.

The path to God is narrow but excludes no one. Whoever will may come.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also: and from now on you know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us. 9 Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long a time and yet you have not known me, Philip? He that has seen me has seen the Father; then how do you say, Show us the Father?

Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high

Colossians 2:9 For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

2 Corinthians 5:19 God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak from myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 12 Truth, I tell you the truth, He that believes on me, the works that I do he will do also; and he will do greater works than these; because I go to my Father. 13 And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

This is like no promise that anyone has ever offered.
This is a promise from the Maker of the universe.
Jesus proved who He was by what He did.
No other person has ever given sight to one blind from birth, controlled storms with a word, walked on water, healed withered hands and lame legs at a word or touch; no other raised the dead.
No other rose from the dead.

He gives us the Comforter, His Holy Spirit to stay with us forever

He makes us One with Him and the Father forever

15 If you love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may stay with you forever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive because it does not see him, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God the Father, and the Spirit of God the Son (Romans 8:9). He is in the Father. We are in Him; He is in us.

21 He that has my commandments, and keeps them, it is he that loves me. He that loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will show myself to him. 22 Judas said to him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that you will show yourself to us and not to the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our dwelling with him.

Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.

24 He that does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me. 25 These things I have spoken to you, still being present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.

The Holy Spirit is God Himself, and Christ Himself with us to teach us and help us remember what He has said.

He gives us the infinite and eternal peace of the One who has all power

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard how I said to you, I go away, and come again to you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go to the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 Now I have told you before it happens so that when it has happened you might believe. 30 I will not speak much more with you: for the ruler of this world is coming and has nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father commanded, even so I do. Get up, let us go from here.

The peace He gives us is the peace of the One who has all the power and controls all things in the universe. Who could bring more peace?

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.

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SUMMARY: JOHN 12-14

His is the One
Our King is Coming
He raises the dead
The Father spoke from heaven
He draws all men to Himself
He came to save the world
His commandment is life everlasting
Jesus loves and serves though He is Lord of all
He cleanses us
God wants us all
He is coming for us to keep us with Him forever
He gives us the Comforter, His Holy Spirit to stay with us forever
He makes us One with Him and the Father forever
He gives us the infinite and eternal peace of the One who has all power