John 11:45-12:11

In 1934, a young missionary couple, John and Betty Stam, were serving in China under the China Inland Mission, spreading the gospel in remote villages. They had left behind the comforts of home, family, and safety because they believed that Jesus was worth everything—even their very lives.

At the time, China was in turmoil. Communist forces were growing in strength, and Christians—especially foreign missionaries—were viewed as enemies of the state. The Stams knew the risks, but their hearts burned with a desire to see lost souls come to Christ.

Then, one fateful day, communist soldiers stormed the village where they lived, capturing them and their three-month-old baby, Helen Priscilla. The soldiers stripped John and Betty of their belongings and mocked their faith, giving them an opportunity to renounce Christ and live. But they refused. They knew that their lives were not their own—they had been bought with a price.

That night, they were bound and thrown into a prison cell. John wrote a letter to the China Inland Mission, but the messenger who carried it was too afraid to send it. The next morning, the soldiers paraded them through the streets, humiliating them before the people. John was ordered to kneel, and in front of his wife and the watching villagers, he was beheaded for his faith. Betty, instead of screaming or resisting, knelt down beside him, waiting for her turn. Moments later, she too was killed.

The soldiers had no use for their baby daughter, so they left her in their home, abandoned to die. But miraculously, after 30 hours, a local Chinese pastor, risking his own life, found little Helen Priscilla hidden inside a sleeping bag. He and other believers smuggled her to safety, and she would later be raised by her missionary relatives in the United States.

The news of the Stams’ martyrdom spread across the world. Their deaths were tragic, yet their testimony inspired a new generation of missionaries to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Their story echoed the words of Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Transition

Why would John and Betty Stam willingly give up their lives? Because they believed that Jesus was the better portion—more valuable than their comfort, safety, or even their earthly lives.

In John 11-12, we see a similar contrast—some people saw Jesus as worthy of everything, while others clung to power, comfort, and self-interest.

The religious leaders were unwilling to lose their influence, so they plotted to kill Jesus.

Judas valued money more than the Messiah.

But Mary—she saw Jesus as more precious than anything, pouring out her most valuable possession as an act of worship.

The question for us today is this: 👉 Is Jesus worth everything to me? 👉 Do I cling to control, comfort, and self—like the religious leaders and Judas? 👉 Or do I see Jesus as my greatest treasure—like Mary and the Stams?

MP

True discipleship means surrendering power, comfort, and self for the sake of Christ because He is the better portion.

1. The Prophecy (John 11:45-57)

This section follows the miraculous raising of Lazarus, which causes a strong division among the people.

• Belief and Opposition (11:45-46): Many Jews who witnessed the miracle believed in Jesus, but others reported it to the Pharisees. This sets the stage for increasing hostility.

• The Sanhedrin’s Council (11:47-53):

The Sanhedrin was the highest judicial body in Israel. They had political and spiritual power which was subservient to the Roman authority.

They understood that what Jesus was doing were signs. However, they didnt want to lose control. They didnt deny the authenticity, they denied the authority of Jesus being above them.

The religious leaders, fearing Jesus’ growing influence, convene to discuss the threat He poses to their power and the stability of their relationship with Rome.

You can be religious but lost at the say time. You can be able to quote scripture at a drop of a hat but still be ignorant of the truth. You can say all the right things, do all the right things, but have a heart that has not been transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.

Jesus threatened their position and their control. They were self centered. Settling in empty religion.

Empty religion isnt only characterized by those here in scripture, it can be of us. It can be practived by those who come to church, give money with or withnot boasting at their lips about it, say and do the right things with or without an audience, they could be people who show a great realm of morality.

They all have one thing in common, they do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Where is your focus today? Often that focus can be seen when we are confronted with our sin or when we are confronted with scripture that is contrary to the empty religion that provides us comfort.

If your first response to these things is to get angry, declare all that you have done for the church or all the money that you have provided for the church, or declare all that YOU, YOU, You. then you are self centered in the mist of empty religion. If your preferences and prudencies are taken away, Is Jesus enough?

A true disciple of Christ is one whom has their focus on Christ and him alone. Seeing that he is the better portion, than all this emptyness can provide.

Similar attitude is shown when they see their spiritual realities through the lens of how they will be affected. They were concerned by what their understanding of Jesus would change for them. They didnt want to give up power and control. They wanted their confort and covenience.

When our decisions are based on comfort or covenience they are not biblical.

I have started working out and I am sore. So is Christ making us more like him.

Work out your faith with fear and trembling.

Fear of losing comfort, influence or even convience will lead into disobeying the will of the Lord.

• Caiaphas’ Unintended Prophecy (11:49-52): The high priest, unaware of the deeper spiritual truth, declares that it is better for one man (Jesus) to die than for the whole nation to perish.

Ciaphas was only concerned about what he thinks keeps us in God;s favior. or Maintaining his position. We look at an action that is wrong, and like ciaphas we begin to justify why it is right. Why it is really not that bad. We defend our own actions. We try to justify ourselves. We self justify our own works and ability and give them to God.

Our justification isnt in us. Or Justification is in Christ. Seen in this unintentional prophecy.

Passover in Exodus 12 and what it signified.

How Christ Justifies us.

satisfies the wrath of God

Justifies the believer

secures redemption for his children

John highlights that Caiaphas unknowingly prophesies Jesus’ role as the sacrificial Lamb who would die not only for Israel but for all people.

• The Decision to Kill Jesus (11:53-57): From that point, the leaders actively plot Jesus’ death. He withdraws from public ministry for a time, staying in Ephraim with His disciples. Meanwhile, tension rises as people wonder if He will come to Jerusalem for Passover.

2. The Preparation (John 12:1-8)

This passage takes place six days before Passover, just before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

• Jesus’ Arrival in Bethany (12:1-2): Jesus returns to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. A dinner is given in His honor, symbolizing gratitude for raising Lazarus. Martha serves, while Lazarus reclines at the table, a living testimony of Jesus’ power.

• Mary’s Anointing of Jesus (12:3): Mary pours expensive perfume (pure nard) on Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair. This act of love and devotion prefigures His burial. The fragrance fills the house, emphasizing the costly sacrifice.

• Judas’ Protest (12:4-6): Judas Iscariot, who will later betray Jesus, criticizes Mary’s actions, claiming the money should have been given to the poor. However, John reveals Judas’ true motives—he was a thief who stole from the disciples’ funds.

Same languege as satan come to steal, Kill and destroy.

Judus here is showing that he values money and his own interest over Jesus.

• Jesus’ Defense of Mary (12:7-8): Jesus affirms Mary’s act as preparation for His burial, recognizing the significance of what she has done. He also makes a profound statement: “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me,” pointing to the urgency of His coming death.

The jar of pure nard wasnt some simple perfume. It would have been around 30 to 40 thousands dollars.

It could have been a family heirloom past down from generations.

The Humble service of Mary and that she knows that he is the better portion.

Her humble service and extravagant love contrast sharply with Judas, who values money over Christ. She sees Jesus

as more precious than anything this world offers

—a lesson for all of us in worship and devotion.

Great question! Mary’s humble service in John 12 is a powerful example of wholehearted devotion to Christ. As Christians today, we show this same humility and love in several ways:

Mary gave her most valuable possession to Jesus.

We give Him our time, talents, and resources—not out of obligation, but as an act of love.

This could mean sacrificial giving, using our gifts for ministry, or prioritizing worship over worldly distractions.

Mary humbled herself at Jesus’ feet.

Jesus Himself washed His disciples’ feet in the next chapter (John 13).

We imitate this through acts of service—helping the needy, serving in the church, and putting others before ourselves.

Before Mary poured out the perfume, she had already poured out her heart in worship.

We serve humbly by prioritizing time with Jesus—through prayer, Scripture, and worship—instead of being consumed with worldly busyness.

Judas criticized Mary, but Jesus defended her.

True humility means loving Jesus openly, regardless of what others think.

We show this by sharing our faith, worshiping freely, and standing firm in biblical truth.

Mary wiped Jesus' feet with her hair—a symbol of selfless love.

We "wipe the feet" of others when we comfort the hurting, forgive the undeserving, and love the unlovable.

Like Mary, we show humble service by giving Jesus our best, loving others selflessly, and choosing Him as our portion every day.

3. The Proximity (John 12:9-11)

The focus now shifts to the growing attention around Jesus and the mounting hostility from the religious leaders.

• A Large Crowd Gathers (12:9): News spreads that Jesus is in Bethany, and many come not only to see Him but also to see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. This event continues to draw people toward faith in Jesus.

• The Chief Priests’ New Plot (12:10): Frustrated by the attention Lazarus is receiving, the religious leaders now conspire to kill him as well, hoping to eliminate this undeniable proof of Jesus’ power.

Great insight! The chief priests' plot to kill Lazarus (John 12:10-11) reveals a powerful truth about being in proximity to Jesus—both physically and spiritually. Here are some key applications:

Lazarus’ life was a testimony to Jesus’ power, and because of that, he became a target.

Application: When we live for Christ, we will face opposition (John 15:18-20). The closer we are to Jesus, the more the world and the enemy will try to silence our testimony.

The same crowd that saw Lazarus raised had two different reactions:

Some believed in Jesus (John 12:11).

Some hardened their hearts and plotted murder (John 11:53, 12:10).

Application: No one stays neutral with Jesus. Being near Him forces a decision—will we follow Him, or will we resist Him?

Lazarus didn’t perform miracles—he was the miracle! His life itself pointed to Christ.

Application: Our transformed lives should make people see Christ in us (2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 2:20). People should see our joy, peace, and love and be drawn to Jesus.

Lazarus had a choice: hide in fear or continue being a testimony to Jesus.

Application: If we truly follow Christ, we must be willing to stand for Him even when the world pushes back.

Are we just near Jesus, or are we fully committed to Him?

Does our life testify to His power like Lazarus’?

Are we ready to face opposition because of our faith?

Do we joyfully pour out our lives in worship, knowing He is worth it?

• Many Turn to Jesus (12:11): Despite the leaders’ opposition, many Jews believe in Jesus because of what He has done. This underscores the escalating conflict between Jesus and the authorities, setting the stage for His triumphal entry and ultimate sacrifice.

As we have seen he is worth it, he invites us to recline at his table. Just as we saw earlier, there is a passover feast that we get to be apart of. Where we enter through his blood. To eat and drink of the savior in full grace and assurance.

If you are a believer, that has been baptized and are a member in good standing at a local congregation.

If you have any unrepentant sin or any animosity or unforgiveness in your heart with a brother or a sister, I ask that you refrain from partaking and go and make those things right as much as it is up to you.