Won’t you turn with me to the Gospel of John, Chapter 12. (John 12)
Almost 2000 years ago, in about the year AD30, Jesus left the
This past Sunday we heard the story of a man named Zacchaeus who climbed a tree in
Remember the points?
1. Jesus is coming to our town
2. Jesus knows us by name
3. Jesus wants to go to our house today
4. Jesus will give us chances others may never give us
5. It may not be all about you
Today we continue the journey along with Jesus and His disciples as Jesus nears
John 12 NKJV
1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.
2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.
3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
More time is dedicated in the combined Gospels to these last days of Christ than to any period. Almost half of the Gospel of John is written about these few days … from chapter 11 through chapter 21. (35 of the 89 total Gospel chapters are used to tell this story)
Next Sunday we observe Easter in celebration of the resurrection. Make no mistake, it is the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth that identifies Him and Him alone as Messiah, the One True Son of the Living God. Without the resurrection, Christianity is just one more claim in the long and complex line of religions. However, the resurrection seals our faith and sets Jesus apart from all others who would be God’s messenger.
Historically speaking, last Sunday marked the week that Jesus left the Galilee and walked south along the Jordan River arriving in the city of
Jesus knew He was on His last earthly journey to
In and around the city of
They were both unaware that it would be their last opportunity to meet Jesus and perhaps their last chance to change.
Now, here we are this morning only one week from Resurrection Day.
Here we are, attending a church on Sunday, the first day of the week, a very special day, Palm Sunday 2008. One week before the celebration of the anniversary of the Resurrection of Christ.
Many people all over the world and especially in the Western world treat Sunday as though it was the last day of their weekend. However, Sunday is not the weekend but the week-beginning. Sunday is the first day of the week and as such the Western world has too long forgotten just why we treat Sunday as a holiday.
Actually it is not even a holiday, but a holy-day. The first day of the week, also known in the New Testament as ‘The Lord’s Day’, was established as a day in which no work would be done, no goods sold or traded and a day families would gather to worship, rest, relax and fellowship, putting first things first. Each new week should begin by giving God what is due His name and starting the week dependent on Him to make the most out of the time and energies we have left.
Jewish law and tradition sets worship on the Sabbath, which begins at sundown on each Friday evening and last until sundown on Saturday, the last day of the week.
After the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, believers began to worship on Sunday, the first day of the week, instead of Saturday, the last day of the week. This is done for several reasons, of which is the fact that the resurrection of Jesus took place early on a Sunday morning, as did the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
I don’t want to lose you in the details of why we worship on Sunday. Without regard to how we got here, we know where we are today, right here attending church on Sunday, the first day of the week … but where was Jesus on this same day in history, the first day of the week, Passover week, in about the year AD 30 – the first day of the last week He would spend on earth before going to the cross that coming Friday afternoon?
As best as my studies can conclude, given that the account is recorded in all four of the Gospels, Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19 and John 12, Jesus must have arrived in the small village of Bethany, almost two miles outside of the city walls of Jerusalem, on the Eastern crest of the Mount of Olives, on Friday, late afternoon, just before sunset and the beginning of what the Jews still call Shabbat HaGadol - The Great Sabbath -- which is the Sabbath just prior to Passover.
John 12 reveals that on Saturday evening, most likely immediately after sundown, Martha made a special meal and many people came not only to see Jesus but also to see Lazarus, Martha’s brother, who had been raised from the dead, sitting alongside Jesus. These were not doubt Jews visiting
John 12
9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
On account of him.
Lets hold that thought for a moment while we continue to read.
John 12
12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of
14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
15 "Fear not, daughter of
John says, ‘the next day’. That next day was Sunday, we refer to it as Palm Sunday since multitudes of people took palm branches and waved them and laid them in the way, declaring Jesus’ royal estate.
In this passage John says very little about this little young donkey. However, Mark’s Gospel account in Chapter 11, gives us insight into the behind the scenes details of this little colt.
Donkeys in the scriptures speak to us of the stubbornness and strong will of some people. Donkeys like to go their own way and resist being harnessed or broken. They can be very hard to work with just like some people.
I believe that Jesus’ choice of a donkey not only fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah but was also aimed at reminding us that Jesus can use any person who is willing being broken, willing to be harnessed, willing to be controlled, unlike that Young Rich Ruler whom Jesus met between
The fact that this donkey was young speaks of Jesus’ desire to use people who perhaps have never been used before.
"And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here." Mark 11:3
In Mark 11:3 Jesus told his disciples to tell anyone who ask why they were untying the young donkey: ‘The Lord has need of it.’
Continuing the story, John 12 tells us that Lazarus was asked to sit at the table with Jesus during that special Sabbath meal. What was so special about Lazarus? Sure he was a friend but there was more.
Have you ever wondered why Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead?
There could of course be many reasons: He loved him, missed him, and certainly did not want Mary or Martha to grieve … all good reasons. However, scripture tells us that above these personal reasons of relationship and concern, God had a specific plan for Lazarus being brought back from the dead.
Let’s look at the story in the Gospel of John, chapter 11. Jesus discusses Lazarus’ death and reveals God’s plan.
John 11:4 "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."
John 11:15 I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe.
John 11: 26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
John 11:40 "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"
John 11:42 because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe
John 11: 45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
John 11: 48 "If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him
John 11
10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
On Account Of Him
Why did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead? Much on account of those all those who would become believers as a result of Lazarus’ miracle.
Jesus wants people to believe and be saved; To miss an eternity in hell and to miss the hell of this life.
This is why Jesus reached out to Zacchaeus, The Young Rich Ruler, and Lazarus and is now reaching out to you. Like everyone else including the little donkey: God has a plan and ---
“The Lord has need of you!”
God knows who it is that will come closer to Him because of you. God has someone in mind that you can influence.
If Jesus can only get you to follow Him, others will follow you to Him.
Who is it that will come closer to Jesus on account of you?
You see Jesus in you is all about others.
Sure, He will give to you … however,
God will seldom give to you what He cannot give through you.
Jesus wants others to see, hear and know Him through His goodness to you.
Respond to Jesus today … follow Him … Be like Zacchaeus and Lazarus instead of the Young Rich Ruler.
Let Him save you, bless you, heal and deliver you while you become an example of His loving grace. Your testimony might be all it takes to save your whole circle of family and friends.
Who will you influence for Him this week?
