Crisis of Faith

In his book, John for Everyone Part 2, N. T. Wright explains the seed analogy that Jesus used in John 12. “Jesus’s death will be like sowing a seed into the ground. It will look like a tragedy, the large-scale, fully grown version of the tiny ‘tragedy’ that a small boy feels at planting one of his largest and best ‘conkers’ in the ground and never seeing it again but seeing the fruit of faith as it conquers through and triumphs as it pushes through the soil. In fact, it will be a triumph: the triumph of God’s self-giving love, the love that looks death itself in the face and defeats it by meeting it voluntarily, on behalf not just of Israel but of the whole world, the world represented by these ‘Greeks’”

As we begin this chapter, John starts with the account of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume. As she offered this generous gift, Judas speaks his first recorded words in the Gospels: “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” (v. 5). At issue here was a contrast of values. Judas spoke not out of concern for the poor but as a tight-fisted treasurer of the disciples. Crisis of power and crisis of faith.

Let us pray

I. CRISIS OF VALUES

A. THE SERVICE—vv. 1–8 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

i. Situation—vv. 1–2. Jesus came to Bethany six days before the Passover. A banquet was held for Him. Martha served Him. Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead was there.

ii. Sacrifice—v. 3. Mary brought a very costly perfume and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair. The perfume was worth 300 denarius – a year’s wages.

iii. Shame—vv. 4–6. Judas complained about the waste. He said it should have been given to the poor. “Not that he cared for the poor, but he was in charge of the disciples’ funds and often dipped into them for his own use”—v. 6, LB.

iv. Savior—vv. 7–8. Jesus said, “Let her alone.” Also, “You can always help the poor, but I won’t be with you very long.”—v. 8, LB.

30 pieces of silver would equate to 120 denarii – less than half – he betrays the Lord for this

How have we been like Judas? Not really concerned where our heart was and what we were doing for God but how and what others were doing for God?

B. THE SALVATION—vv. 9–11 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

i. Curiosity—v. 9. Many came to see Lazarus, who rose from the dead.

ii. Concerned—v. 10. The Pharisees were concerned about the popularity of Christ, and sought to destroy Him.

iii. Conversion—v. 11. Because of Christ’s power, many Jews believed!

We see here point I, the crisis of values gives way to a crisis of confrontation, the first truly public presentation of the Messiah to Israel. Jesus initiates the event, stirring good people to action, to fulfill Scripture, and to offer himself as the Passover lamb.

II. CRISIS OF CONFRONTATION —vv. 12–19 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;

behold, your king is coming,

sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

A. THE SAVIOR

i. Praise—vv. 12–13. Note the welcome given to Christ. He was praised.

Hosana – give salvation now

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord

ii. Prophecy—vv. 14–16. Fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

iii. Promotion—vv. 17–18. Many told about Christ raising Lazarus from the dead.

iv. Problem—v. 19. The Pharisees were disturbed because so many were following Christ. They feared all would follow Him.

Crisis of values led to crisis of confrontation and now we have CRISIS OF TIMING. Once again our Lord raised the issue of the hour. But this time, it had come; the time of death had arrived. How should we pray in crisis, when our souls are troubled? Look at verse 28: “Father, glorify your name.”

III. CRISIS OF TIMING – 20 – 36

B. THE SEEKING—vv. 20–24 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

i. Desire—vv. 20–21. The Greeks desire to see Christ. Note: “We would see Jesus.” Not a man, a church, or a religion, but to see CHRIST.

Greeks wanted to see Him but His own people did not (Pharisee’s)

ii. Declaration—v. 22. Philip told Andrew of the Greeks desire to see Christ. They together told Jesus.

Jesus did not rebuke the Greeks

The time had come and the full gospel knows no boundaries of race, color, or culture.

iii. Death—vv. 23–24. The symbol of a seed dying, then growing. Christ would die, then be resurrected. By this, He would bring life to all.

Also our example – die to self in order to live in Him – one seed dies and then brings forth many more seeds.

When we die to self and let Jesus live in us – we can do abundantly more than on our own -

C. THE SURRENDER—vv. 25–26 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

i. Dedication—v. 25. If we love our own life here on earth, we lose our eternal reward. Loving ourselves often separates us from God. If we love ourselves, we often have no place for Christ. If we give our life to Christ, we will receive eternal life.

ii. Denial—v. 26. To follow God, we must be willing to deny ourselves—putting Christ first!

How have we been like Judas? Not really concerned where our heart was and what we were doing for God but how and what others were doing for God?

We saw that people were promoting Jesus because of what he had done – how are you promoting the work of Christ in your everyday life?

The contrast between Pharisee’s and the Greeks – as saved people, Christians do we get angry with God for not being who we want, not fitting into our mold and blessing and healing others that we don’t see deserving?

Or are we like the Greeks, always wanting more – more time with Jesus, one on one time with Jesus?

What have you denied yourself to be a follower of Jesus? What have you died to; what part of your life have you given over to God and let go of in order that He lives in you and not the world?

Let us pray.