Lesson 1866

(Lesson 1866)(11-30-16) John 12:25-26

"He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."

Today's short lesson simply tells us that those who believe in Jesus Christ and live their lives according to His will, shall inherit everlasting life. Those who deny Jesus Christ and live their lives according to their own will, shall earn themselves an eternity in hell.~

Lesson 1865

(Lesson 1865)(11-29-16) John 12:24

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."

Today's lesson is a very short one but also a very important one. The message this short quote delivers explains why Jesus died so that those who would come to believe in Him could have eternal life.

Paul said, "For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) That means that because we are all inherently sinners through the disobedience of Adam, we are, from birth, condemned to death as a penalty for the original sin of Adam. However, by giving His life as a 'one death appeases all' sacrifice on the cross, Jesus paid the death penalty for all who will simply put their faith in Him for remittance of sin. Therefore, just as today's quote relates, in order for sin to be remitted, there must be a death. But thank God for His mercy, Jesus died that death for us.~

Lesson 1864

(Lesson 1864)(11-28-16) John 12:19-23

"The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified."

Today's lesson tells us that, after hearing of the miraculous things that Jesus had done, even the Gentiles were beginning to believe in Him.

In the last verse of the lesson, Jesus told His apostles it was time for Him to make His life giving sacrifice for the sins of the world.~

Lesson 1863

(Lesson 1863)(11-27-16) John 12:12-18

"On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle."

Today's lesson relates how those who had witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus and had come to believe in Jesus, celebrated His triumphant entry into Jerusalem.~

Lesson 1862

(Lesson 1862)(11-26-16) John 12:9-11

"Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus."

Today's quote relates that the Jewish leadership also considered killing Lazarus along with Jesus. They were in a frenzied panic to stop the growth of Christianity as more and more of their numbers came to believe in the soul saving power of Jesus Christ.~

Lesson 1861

(Lesson 1861)(11-25-16) John 12:1-8

"Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always."

In today's quote and over the objection of Judas Iscariot, Jesus defended Mary for using the expensive ointment to bathe His feet.

If ever there was anyone who ever deserved to have His feet bathed with an expensive balm, it was our Lord Jesus Christ. The extraordinarily loving price He paid for our salvation cannot be measured in money. There is no such thing as too much praise or worship for the Man who saved me from my sins.~

Lesson 1860

(Lesson 1860)(11-23-16) John 11:53-57

"Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him."

In today's lesson we learn that during the days prior to His crucifixion, Jesus stayed in hiding because the Jewish leadership had plans to kill Him.

It is important to note the reason why Jesus had a need to go back into Jerusalem to observe the Passover, knowing that His life was in danger.

Being a Jew Himself, Jesus was bound by God's commandment that every Jew, on the first day of the first month of every year (Hebrew calendar), was to observe the Passover celebration and partake of the Passover meal; "And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever." (Exodus 12:14)

It is important to know that what we now refer to as "The Lord's Supper", "The Last Supper", or "Holy Communion" was born out of, and is representative of, the Passover as it was commanded in Exodus. It is also important to note that the commandment applied then, and still applies today, to Jews only. Nowhere in the bible are Gentiles required to observe the Passover.~

NOTE: This topic will be covered in more detail as these lessons continue.