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The Gospel of John VI - Lesson 1

                      The Resurrection of Lazarus                                   John 11:1-57                                    (Continued)

  1. THE RESULTS OF RESURRECTION (John 11:45-57)
    1. Division (John 11:45-46)
      1. Belief (John 11:45)
      2. Unbelief (John 11:46)
    2. Opposition (John 11:47-53)
      1. The fear of the chief priests (John 11:47-48; Luke 14:7-11; Proverbs 25:6-7)
        1. He does many miracles (John 11:47).
        2. All will believe in Him (John 11:48).
        3. We will lose our place and nation (John 11:48).
      2. The prophecy of Caiaphas (John 11:49-52; Galatians 4:4-5)
        1. Sometimes God honors the position (John 11:49).
        2. He prophesied that one man should die for the whole nation (John 11:50). He likely understood it to mean that the death of Christ would keep the nation from being destroyed by Him.
        3. God gave the prophecy (John 11:51-52).
      3. The strategy of the Jews (John 11:53) – to put Jesus to death
    3. Withdrawal (John 11:54-57)
      1. Not able to show Himself openly (John 11:54)
      2. Sought at the time of the Passover (John 11:55-57)

                           Return to Jerusalem                                John 12:1-50

  1. PREPARED FOR BURIAL (John 12:1-11)
    1. The Supper at Bethany (John 12:1-2)
      1. Six days before the Passover (John 12:1); this is the beginning of the last week of Christ on earth before His crucifixion. This week takes up a larger portion of John (about one-half the book) than it does in the other gospels.
      2. Bethany: known as the city of resurrected Lazarus (John 12:1)
      3. Supper held there in His honor (John 12:2)
        1. Martha served (John 12:2).
        2. Lazarus sat (John 12:2).
        3. Mary sacrificed (John 12:3).
    2. The Work of Mary (John 12:3)
      1. The Bible events in the life of Mary
        1. She sat at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:38-42).
        2. She waited for the Master’s call (John 11:28-29).
        3. She anointed the Saviour’s feet (Matthew 26:6-13).
      2. The anointing of the feet of Jesus
        1. She took a pound of ointment of spikenard.
          1. An aromatic oil that comes from an Asian plant that grows in the Himalayas
          2. Mentioned five times in the Bible (Song of Solomon 1:12; Song of Solomon 4:13, 14; Mark 14:3; John 12:3)
          3. Very costly (1 Chronicles 21:24)
        2. She anointed the feet of Jesus (John 11:2).
        3. She wiped His feet with her hair.
        4. She filled the house with the odor of the ointment. Application: the gracious act of Mary filled the house with a sweet savor (Genesis 8:20-21; 2 Corinthians 2:15).
      3. The sacrifice of Mary
        1. Of her possessions (John 12:3, 5)
        2. Of her pride (John 12:3)
        3. Of her reputation (John 12:5)
    3. The Objection of Judas (12:4-6)
      1. His criticism of Mary’s sacrifice (John 12:4-5; 1 Peter 2:12)
      2. His desire for money (John 12:6; Matthew 26:14-16)
      3. His influence over the disciples (Matthew 26:8-9)
    4. The Purpose of the Anointing (John 12:7-8)
      1. Against the day of burying (John 12:7; Matthew 26:12)
      2. The poor can be helped another day (John 12:8).
        1. We have the poor always (Deuteronomy 15:11).
        2. Christ is not always here bodily.
    5. The Attraction of Lazarus (John 12:9-11)
      1. The people came to see Lazarus (John 12:9).
      2. The priests plotted to kill Lazarus (John 12:10).
      3. Many believed because of Lazarus (John 12:11).
  2. PRESENTED TO THE MULTITUDES (John 12:12-36)
    1. The Reception of the People (John 12:12-13)
      1. The news of the coming of Jesus (John 12:12)
        1. Crowds came to Jerusalem in preparation for the feast.
        2. They heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
      2. The triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem (John 12:13)
        1. They took palm branches.
          1. A symbol of refreshment (Exodus 15:27)
          2. A symbol of rejoicing (Leviticus 23:40)
          3. A symbol of righteousness (Psalm 92:12)
          4. Palm trees decorated Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6:29, 32, 35; 1 Kings 7:36).
        2. They went forth to meet Him.
        3. They cried, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
          1. Hosanna means “Save now.”
          2. This greeting taken from Psalm 118:25-26; see also Matthew 21:9
        4. They laid down garments and branches in His path (Matthew 21:8).
        5. The people will quickly change their allegiance (John 19:14-15; compare Acts 14:8-11, 18-19).
David Reagan

Daily Proverb

Proverbs 17:5

Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.