John 11-13

John 11

Jesus Receives News that Lazarus of Bethany is sick

• His sisters Martha and Mary of Bethany send word to Jesus
• Jesus says: “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God.”
• Jesus intentionally waits two more days
• It states Jesus loves these 3 individuals

Disciples worry about travel in Judea because leaders recently tried to stone Jesus

• Jesus speaks about walking in the light and not the dark

Jesus tells disciples “Lazarus has died.”

• Jesus says He is glad for their sake so they may believe

There is a mention of Thomas’s name meaning “twin” תְּאוֹמָא (Te’oma) or Δίδυμος (Didymos)

Martha says “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

• Jesus declares: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
  • Whoever believes though he die, yet shall he live
• Martha confesses: “You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
• Mary falls at Jesus’ feet and crowd mourns with her

Jesus is troubled in spirit

• Shortest verse in Bible: “Jesus wept.”

Jesus commands stone removed

• Martha worries about odor after four days
• Jesus thanks the Father publicly so people may believe

Jesus cries: “Lazarus, come out.”

• Lazarus emerges still wrapped in burial cloths
• Many Jews believe because of the sign

Plot to Kill Jesus

• Religious leaders fear:
  • growing influence
  • Roman reaction

Caiaphas’ Prophecy

• Caiaphas says: “It is better…that one man should die for the people.”
  • John explains this unknowingly prophesied Jesus’ sacrificial death

Jesus leaves public areas and goes to a wilderness region

John 12

Anointing at Bethany

• Six days before Passover, Jesus comes back to Lazarus’ house
• Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and wipes His feet with her hair
  • House filled with fragrance
• Judas Iscariot objects and claims money could help poor
  • John says Judas stole from money bag
• Jesus says Mary prepared Him for burial

Plot Against Lazarus

• Crowds gather because of Lazarus
• Chief priests plan to kill Lazarus too
• Lazarus’ resurrection is leading many to believe

Triumphal Entry

• Crowd welcomes Jesus with palm branches
  • Cries: “Hosanna!” הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא Hoshia na “save please!” 
• Jesus rides young donkey
  • Fulfills Zechariah 9:9
• Crowd calls Jesus King of Israel

Some Greeks approach Philip to meet Jesus. Jesus says now His hour has come. (Perhaps because His interest has spread to the Gentiles?)

• Jesus says: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies…”
  • Death produces life and fruit
• Followers must:
  • lose life to gain it
  • follow Jesus sacrificially

Father speaks from heaven “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 

• Crowd thinks it is thunder or angel

Jesus says He will be “lifted up”

• crucifixion
• exaltation
• Jesus urges people to walk in the light while they can

Many still reject Jesus despite miracles

• John quotes Isaiah 53 and Isaiah 6
• Some leaders secretly believe but there is fear being expelled from synagogue

Jesus’ Final Public Appeal

• To believe Jesus is to believe the Father
  • “I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.”
• Rejection of Jesus’ words brings judgment

John 13

During Passover meal Jesus knows:

• His hour has come
• He will return to the Father

Satan has manipulated Judas’ heart

Jesus rises from supper, wraps towel around Himself, washes disciples’ feet

• Foot washing was a servant’s task and an act of humility
• Simon Peter refuses initially
  • Jesus says: “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”
  • Peter then asks for FULL washing
• Jesus distinguishes:
  • complete cleansing
  • ongoing cleansing (washing each other)
    • Jesus commands disciples to serve one another similarly

Jesus references betrayal prophecy from Psalms (41:9)

• Jesus says: “One of you will betray me.”
• Beloved disciple asks who it is
• Jesus gives morsel to Judas
• Judas leaves immediately

Satan has entered Judas

Jesus says: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.”

• “By this all people will know that you are my disciples…”

Peter insists he will follow Jesus anywhere

• Jesus tells Peter: “the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”

Application

Jesus wraps up His public teachings with a huge sign – raising someone from the dead. He has power over death – foreshadowing His biggest event. Jesus’ final supper with His disciples shows His humility and His desire for us to love others.