October 18 –  Love for Neighbors

Sunday School Lesson

October 18

Lesson 7 (KJV)

 Love for Neighbors

 

Devotional Reading: John 5:1–15

Background Scripture: Leviticus 19:18, 34; Luke 10:25–37

Luke 10:25–37

 

25. And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

 

26. He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

 

27. And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

 

28. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

 

29. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

 

30. And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

 

31. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

 

32. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

 

33. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

 

34. And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

 

36. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

 

37. And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

 

 

Lesson Aims

 

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

 

1. Define neighbor as Jesus does and provide current examples.

 

2. Explain the importance of how Jesus shifts the focus from legalism to true obedience.

 

3. Make a plan to proactively love a neighbor he or she has historically preferred to avoid.

 

 

HOW TO SAY IT

 

Lucan

Lu-kehn.

picaro

pee-kah-ro.

Samaritans

Suh-mare-uh-tunz.

 

Introduction

 

1. Good Samaritans at Altitude

 

Late in September 2018, Joshua Mason and his girlfriend, Katie Davis, flew from Texas to Colorado. The next day Joshua took Katie on a hike in the mountains northwest of Denver. After hiking about eight miles, they reached the nearly 13,000-foot summit of Jasper Peak. Joshua was hoping to find an isolated and beautiful spot to “pop the question.” Jasper Peak provided such a location, and Katie said yes to the surprise proposal.

But then things took a turn. Because they didn’t leave the trailhead till about noon and the trail to Jasper Peak isn’t clearly marked, the newly engaged couple became lost and disoriented when it started to get dark. Far from cell-phone service, they weren’t equipped or dressed to camp overnight in the cold of the high country, and they only had a little water. Coming to a cliff and unable to go any further, they began yelling for help.

About midnight, a camper who was hiking in the area heard their screams. When he discovered Joshua and Katie, they were showing signs of altitude sickness and severe dehydration. He led them to a group of his friends who were camping at a nearby lake. The campers provided the couple with water, food, and shelter in their tent, trying to help them get warm. But recognizing the seriousness of the situation, one of the campers hiked down to her vehicle and drove to where she could call 911.

Rescue crews reached Joshua and Katie about 4:30 a.m. Determining that they needed to move to a lower altitude immediately, the rescuers escorted them down to the trailhead.

This story includes several Good Samaritans who went out of their way to help Joshua and Katie. Today we will consider the Scripture passage that prompted that now-common term.

 

1. Lesson Context

 

In his Gospel, Luke recounts Jesus’ ministry in three major sections: (1) events in and around Galilee (Luke 4:14–9:50); (2) Jesus on His way to Jerusalem (9:51–19:44); and (3) the events of Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem (19:45–24:53). Luke’s Gospel is unique in its central section, which begins shortly before our lesson text. The majority of the parables found in Luke are located in this section, the first being the parable in our text.

A primary theme of Jesus’ ministry in Judea was God’s love for the lost and lowly: sinners (example: Luke 15), outcasts (example: 14:15–24), Samaritans, and the poor (example: 16:19–31). Jesus’ countercultural teaching in last week’s lesson text, Luke 6:27–36, challenged us to demonstrate inclusive love even toward our enemies. Today’s text calls us once again to practice inclusive love. In the passage just prior to our text (10:1–24), Jesus sent out 70 of His followers in pairs to proclaim, through word and deed, that “the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you” (10:9). Both Jesus and His 70 emissaries rejoiced at God’s power working through them (10:17–21).

Immediately preceding our lesson passage, Jesus spoke with His 70 followers at the conclusion of their fruitful mission (Luke 10:17–20). Although some commentators view Jesus’ interaction with this “lawyer” (10:25) as an interruption of His debriefing discussion with the disciples, the exact time and place of this scene is unspecified.

This parable is unique to Luke, but its subject matter and setting are similar to texts found in Matthew and Mark. Matthew 22:34–40 and Mark 12:28–34 are clearly parallel to one another, but the connection to Luke is less certain (compare Luke 10:27, below). The Lucan event appears to be a separate incident covering the same theme.

 

1. Questioning

(Luke 10:25–29)

 

1. Regarding Eternal Life (vv. 25–28)

 

25a. And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him.

 

This man wasn’t a lawyer in the sense familiar to us, but rather was a scholar educated in the Old Testament law and the Jewish traditions surrounding it. The fact that the lawyer stood up indicates that Jesus was speaking and His listeners were sitting. This was a typical, respectful pose when listening to a rabbi teach.

The idea of tempting is the same as in Jesus’ temptation (Luke 4:1–13), which can be appropriately also considered a test. Evidently the lawyer wasn’t sincerely seeking to be taught by Jesus as much as he was interested in how Jesus would answer. We have to wonder if the lawyer was hoping to show up Jesus.

 

25b. Saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

 

By calling Jesus Master, the lawyer at least wanted to give the impression that he respected Jesus. His question conveyed a perspective of salvation by works. Yet his response to Jesus’ own question showed that the lawyer knew that mere works without faith are dead (compare James 2:14–26; see commentary on Luke 10:27, below).

The lawyer’s question likely has its basis in the connection between obedience to the law and gifts of inheritance and life (see Deuteronomy 6:16–25). In the Old Testament, obedience to God is often associated with His blessings while rebellion against Him is similarly associated with curses (example: Deuteronomy 28). The lawyer may have wanted to be able to identify Jesus with either the Sadducees, who denied any resurrection of the dead (Matthew 22:23), or the Pharisees, whose emphasis on keeping the law frequently resulted in outward actions that did not reflect a heart yielded to God (example: 23:13–36). The lawyer would be well acquainted with both groups and likely had some level of affiliation with one or the other.

 

26. He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

 

Instead of answering immediately, Jesus asked His own questions. Given the fact that the questioner is a Jewish scholar, it is fitting that Jesus asked him how he read and interpreted the law.

 

27. And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

 

The lawyer’s reply alludes to the great Shema of Deuteronomy 6:5, which Jews recited daily: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” To that the lawyer adds the law of neighbor love found in Leviticus 19:18: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” These answers showed that the lawyer knew mere rule-keeping was not the path to life. Instead, love of God expressed as love for neighbor leads to life. This combination of loving the Lord your God and loving your neighbor as yourself has become known as the “great commandment.”

 

28. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

 

Jesus’ seemingly final word to the lawyer was this commendation of the man’s right answer.

 

1. Regarding Neighbors (v. 29)

 

29. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

 

The lawyer found himself challenged (see commentary on Luke 10:25a, above) and so looked to justify himself. Although the lawyer acknowledged previously that Leviticus 19:18—“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”—is a summary statement of the law (see Luke 10:27), he took advantage of the ambiguity of the word neighbour. In the original context of Leviticus 19:18, love for neighbors is love for fellow Israelites, although that love was to be extended to “strangers” who came to Israel from another land and lived among them (see Leviticus 19:33–34). The land of Israel in Jesus’ day under Roman occupation was comprised of many who were not Israelites.

With his question, the lawyer clearly seemed to be trying to create a distinction, making the point that some people are neighbors (and thus required to be loved) and some people are not. The notion that some people are not neighbors is what Jesus addressed in His parable.

 

What Do You Think?

Under what circumstances, if any, should Christians ask questions regarding who should be helped and who should not?

 

Digging Deeper

How do Matthew 5:45; 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:3–12; 2 John 9–11; and 3 John 5–8 help frame your answer?

 

Won’t You Be a Neighbor?

 

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood began airing in 1968 and ran for 895 episodes. Dressed in his signature cardigan sweater, Mr. Rogers invited children to visit his neighborhood with his theme song, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”

Fred Rogers trained to be a Presbyterian minister but decided to go into television because he hated the medium of TV! While children’s programming typically featured animation and frantic action, Rogers labeled those features as “bombardment.” He did not play a character as did his contemporaries like Captain Kangaroo and Soupy Sales. Rogers believed that being one’s honest self was one of the greatest gifts one person could give to another.

Fred Rogers was not afraid to expand his neighborhood. During a time of racial segregation, Mr. Rogers was shown cooling his feet in a pool on a hot day with Officer Clemmons, an African-American policeman. In addition, Rogers championed children with disabilities on the show, including having a young quadriplegic boy demonstrate how a wheelchair worked. Rogers did not ask, “Who is my neighbor?” He knew!

—J. E.

 

1. Storytelling

(Luke 10:30–37)

 

1. The Victim (v. 30)

 

30. And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

 

Rather than answering the lawyer’s question directly, Jesus told a story. Like other Jewish teachers in His time, Jesus used a parable to explain a Scripture text—in this case, Leviticus 19:18. Since the details of parables were true to life, we can increase our understanding of the parable by exploring the historical and cultural contexts supporting it.

Although Jesus’ audience likely assumed the opening character to have been a Jew, Jesus never specified his identity. The man remains anonymous throughout the story.

Since Jerusalem is about 2,500 feet above sea level and Jericho is about 800 feet below sea level, a traveler setting out from Jerusalem certainly would have gone down in order to reach Jericho. Winding its way through rocky desert, this 17-mile road was infamous for its danger. The caves along the way presented thieves with numerous opportunities to ambush travelers.

Jesus focused on the violent mistreatment the man received at the hands of the thieves. They were not content to simply take his raiment, or garments; the thieves left him for dead. One would hope that these evildoers were the only characters in the parable to show such callous disdain for human life.

 

1. Two Potential Heroes (vv. 31–32)

 

31–32. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

 

Priests, who were descendants of Levi and Aaron, served as God’s representatives to the people; Levites served as assistants to priests (2 Chronicles 13:10). So, why didn’t these servants of God serve the wounded man? Some speculate that they feared that whoever attacked the man was lurking nearby and might attack them as well. Or perhaps they feared becoming ritually unclean, and thus unable to fulfill their religious duties, by touching what appeared to be a dead body (see Leviticus 21:1–4; Numbers 5:2; etc.).

The latter argument has been countered by geography: to go down from Jerusalem indicated that they had completed their temple responsibilities and were heading home. In addition, the Jewish practice was to bury a dead person on the same day. This should have compelled both priest and Levite to investigate the victim’s status with regard to that requirement.

But before getting too deep into the weeds of speculative mind-reading, we remind ourselves that this is a fictional story—a parable to make a point. Since no motive is stated by Jesus, there is no motive to be discerned. The characters of negligent priest and Levite serve as the stark backdrop to what comes next.

 

1. One Actual Hero (vv. 33–35)

 

33. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.

 

When the northern kingdom of Israel was exiled to Assyria centuries earlier, some Israelites were left behind. The intermarriage of some of these Israelites with the Gentiles who were brought into the land (see 2 Kings 17:24) resulted in the population known as Samaritans. The Samaritans accepted only the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy) and asserted that God must be worshipped on Mount Gerizim rather than Jerusalem (consider the question in John 4:20). The Jews in Jesus’ day despised the Samaritans and refused to associate with them (4:9). And of course the feelings were mutual. Needless to say, a Samaritan would be the last person a Jew would expect to show compassion to another Jew.

 

What Do You Think?

What has experience taught you about compassion that is reactive (sees a problem happen, then helps) versus proactive (anticipates a problem, then helps before it happens)?

 

Digging Deeper

In which type of compassion can you help your church improve most?

 

34. And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

 

In stark contrast to the inactivity of the priest and the Levite, the Samaritan actively ministered to the needy man. Both Jews and Greeks appear to have used wine and oil widely for medicinal purposes. Wine would have been used to clean the man’s wounds, the alcohol having an antiseptic effect. Olive oil would ease the man’s pain. The Samaritan then set him on his own beast, likely a donkey, which means he himself now had to walk. Inns were places of potential danger, not just for theft but also potentially murder. But from beginning to end, the Samaritan considered the care of the injured man of greater value than the risk involved.

 

What Do You Think?

If you saw a car broken down on the side of the road, would using a cell phone to call for assistance be the same as stopping to offer help personally? Why, or why not?

 

Digging Deeper

If stopping to help personally meant risking your own safety in the process, would you do it?

 

35. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

 

Some scholars estimate that two pence would have been sufficient for two months of room and board in an inn. By entering into such an open-ended arrangement with the innkeeper, the Samaritan was running the risk of being a victim himself—of extortion. As Jonathan interceded with his father, King Saul, on David’s behalf (1 Samuel 19:1–7; see lesson 5), here the Samaritan interceded on the wounded man’s behalf. Both Jonathan and the Samaritan demonstrated faithful love—Jonathan in the context of an existing covenant and the Samaritan in his obvious regard for human life.

 

How Unexpected!

 

The English language doesn’t have a word that completely captures the idea of an “unexpected hero,” such as we see in the case of the Good Samaritan. Various words have been proposed—words such as antihero and picaro—to only partial success. The problem is that those words and others bring with them nuances that may not apply to the unexpected hero who is under consideration. A picaro, for example, is a societal outcast, but that status is due to his or her own roguish behavior. The Good Samaritan was a societal outcast as well, but that status was due to no behavior of his own! Rather, it was an issue of bloodline.

Jesus used unexpected heroes in parables to challenge contemporary thinking. In addition to that of today’s text, we are drawn to the parables of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32), the shrewd manager (16:1–12), and a penitent tax collector (18:9–14). We have a choice when we read these: the unexpected hero in each can be a model for us or we can be the contrast to the unexpected hero in each. It’s our choice.

—J. E.

 

What Do You Think?

Under what circumstances is it better to help others through efforts of group ministries rather than personally?

 

Digging Deeper

How do the changing procedures of Acts 2:45; 4:32–35; 6:1–6; 1 Timothy 5:3–11 inform your response?

 

III. Directing

(Luke 10:36–37)

 

1. Short Review (vv. 36–37a)

 

36. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

 

Having finished His parable, Jesus countered the lawyer’s question with one of His own. The lawyer had asked “Who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10:29). Jesus changed the question and shifted the focus to, “Who acted like a neighbor?” In Jesus’ view, trying to identify whom one is called to love is an obvious attempt to relinquish responsibility. To do so is to reveal one’s motivation of trying to find ways to avoid obeying God rather than embracing the call to love as God loves.

 

37a. And he said, He that shewed mercy on him.

 

The lawyer cannot bring himself to say the word Samaritan! As a Jew, he couldn’t fathom the notion of a good Samaritan. But at least the lawyer grasped the point of Jesus’ parable, recognizing the mercy and action that set the Samaritan apart from the priest and the Levite. Just as the lawyer “answered right” in the first exchange (Luke 10:27–28), so he answered correctly here. However, his avoidance of saying the word Samaritan likely revealed that the lawyer still considered some people neighbors and others unworthy of that designation.

 

1. Lifetime Call (v. 37b)

 

37b. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

 

Here is Jesus’ final word (compare Luke 10:28). The lawyer appeared to be hoping that he could limit his responsibility by being a neighbor to only a select few. With this profound parable, Jesus conveyed that rather than calculating who is a neighbor and who is not, the lawyer should heed Jesus’ call to be a neighbor to whoever crosses his path.

This is the only reference to this lawyer in the Bible. We don’t know how he responded to Jesus and the gospel later on. He heard Jesus’ message. Did he embrace it and act on it? Did he remember it whenever a foul joke was told about Samaritans or he encountered one on the road to Jericho?

 

Conclusion

 

1. Looking for a Loophole

 

By asking the question “Who is my neighbor?” the lawyer in our lesson text was looking for a loophole—a loophole of being able to choose whom he was responsible to care about and care for. Surely God didn’t intend for him to love all people. Surely some people did not merit his time and resources.

 

What Do You Think?

 

Case study: Your next-door neighbor, who is a single mother, calls you from jail asking you to post her $5,000 bond. You have the money, but discover that that’s only the 10 percent cash portion required. The other 90 percent must come from the court’s putting a lien on your house. What do you do?

 

Like the lawyer, we can be guilty of looking for a loophole. When we hear the Bible’s teaching about loving our neighbors as ourselves, we can grasp the meaning in principle that we are to love and serve people everywhere in need. But it’s tempting to embrace that as a theoretical concept in a way that leads to no tangible action. Or we can be tempted to care for those neighbors who look like us, speak like us, or share our social status, and we fail to care for those who are different. How could Jesus possibly mean that every single person is someone we should strive to love?

 

If we are looking for a way out of loving that person who is too difficult, or in too much trouble, or frankly probably wouldn’t help us if the tables were turned, then we betray our hearts that do not love as God loves. Instead of looking for loopholes, let us search for opportunities to use what God has given us to bless all our neighbors.

 

1. Prayer

 

Thank You, Lord, for giving us the great commandment for Your glory and our fulfillment. We want to love You with all that is within us. And we want to love our neighbors—whomever You place before us—in the same way we love ourselves. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

1. Thought to Remember

 

Good Samaritans ask, “How can I be a neighbor?”

 

 

 

 

KID’S CORNER

How We Grow as Believers in Jesus

Sunday, October 18, 2020

John 12:12-19

 

John 12:12-19

(John 12:12) On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

 

“The next day” became what Christians call “Palm Sunday” (the day after the Sabbath). Jesus entered Jerusalem dramatically at a time when many people were asking themselves if Jesus would even come to the festival, because He was considered an outlaw by the chief priests and Pharisees who wanted to arrest Him (see John 11:56-57). With a grand processional, He gave a sign that announced He was God’s promised Messiah. Though all four gospels teach highlights of Palm Sunday, only the Gospel of John indicates that Palm Sunday occurred five days before the Passover: for the dinner with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus occurred on the Sabbath six days before Passover (see John 12:1). On this “next day,” Jesus entered Jerusalem to bring peace, but not a peace that would have resulted if a political Messiah had raised an army and defeated their Roman oppressors. Jesus came to bring peace between God and repentant sinners, peace among believers in Him, and peace within the hearts and minds of sinners who turned from their sins and placed their faith in Him (see Luke 19:42).

 

(John 12:13) took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel.”

 

“The crowd” that went out from Jerusalem to meet Jesus were those who had come early to Jerusalem to prepare themselves spiritually to celebrate the Passover, and those who lived in Jerusalem who knew that Jesus had healed a man born blind or learned that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. By entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus gave many of these devout Jews the opportunity to spiritually prepare themselves for the festival by trusting in Him as the Messiah. The crowd used palm branches as flags or banners to wave and to welcome Jesus as they might welcome a victorious king or someone they believed would bring them victory over their enemies. They knew that Jesus had healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, and had raised the dead. They considered Jesus their Champion, even as they considered David their champion after he slew the giant Goliath and defeated the Philistines. Surely, with the power of God that Jesus demonstrated, He could overthrow the Roman occupation of Jerusalem. So, they shouted “Hosanna,” which can be translated as “save now” or “save us!” Because of Jesus’ many signs and teachings, they knew He came in the name of the Lord with the blessing of God. The Holy Spirit may have worked upon the crowd and inspired the believers to remember and extol Jesus using some of the words in Psalms 118:24-29, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” One who comes in the name of the Lord is blessed by God because He is doing the will of God. The crowd wanted Jesus to keep doing the will of God and free them from slavery, even as Moses had freed them from slavery to Pharaoh in Egypt when they celebrated the first Passover. When they called Jesus the King of Israel, they expressed their faith that Jesus was the Messiah, the one God had promised them, and they expected would come to save them.

 

(John 12:14) Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written,

 

To give a sign that He was the Messiah, Jesus intentionally fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, which reads, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The crowds did “rejoice greatly” as Jesus entered Jerusalem publicly, knowing He faced arrest and drawing the attention of everyone. Jesus entered as their king, their Messiah, who was triumphant and victorious in everything He said and did throughout His ministry. Unlike a conqueror of “this world” at that time, who would have entered Jerusalem riding in a chariot or on warhorse, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding humbly on a young donkey, a donkey that had never been ridden before, a donkey that obeyed Him and carried Him even while walking through a noisy crowd waving palm branches in its face, a donkey only God, the Son of God, could have controlled successfully (see Luke 19:30).

 

(John 12:15) “FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY’S COLT.”

 

Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, John only wrote the portion of the above text from Zechariah that would alert his readers to turn to Zechariah to read the full text. By word and deed, Jesus assured the people of Jerusalem that they had nothing to fear with His coming. Pretended messiahs before had led, and after Jesus would lead, the Jews into wars of rebellion that cost the lives of many, that was not the way of Jesus, the Son of God and Prince of Peace. However, Jesus did foretell that in the future the Jews would follow a false Messiah and their nation would be destroyed. In Luke 19:41-44, we learn more from Jesus’ prophecy and His Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem: “As Jesus came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.’” Jesus’ prophecy came true when the Romans suppressed a Jewish rebellion with the slaughter of many and destroyed the temple and Jerusalem in AD 70.

 

(John 12:16) These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.

 

The gospels emphasize that not even Jesus’ disciples understood all His teachings all the time. They did not understand the dramatic action Jesus took when He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday until after Jesus was glorified. From the gospels, we know that God glorified Jesus when Jesus died on the cross. The gospels show how Jesus gave up His life when He died. It was not taken from Him.  In John 10:18, we studied Jesus’ prophecy about His death when He said, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” Jesus was also glorified when He took up His life again and rose from the dead on Resurrection (Easter) Sunday morning. After Jesus was glorified, while Jesus walked and talked with them after His resurrection from the dead, He reminded them of what He had taught and how He had fulfilled the Scriptures (see Luke 24:13-35). After Jesus was glorified when He ascended into heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to remind them of what Jesus had taught them during His ministry. Today, as we study the Bible, the Holy Spirit will sometimes remind us of teachings that we need to know and apply to our situation or difficulty.

 

(John 12:17) So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him.

 

During Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, those who witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead kept telling people about what Jesus had done in nearby Bethany. Perhaps many were drawn to the parade because they saw the waving palm branches and heard the crowd shouting, so they asked about the Sunday celebration. No wonder the chief priests and Pharisees wanted to kill both Lazarus and Jesus. Previously, we studied John 12:10-11, “So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.” Even if the Pharisees succeeded in killing Lazarus, unless they were intimidated, those who witnessed Jesus’ power over death when He brought forth Lazarus from the tomb would have testified to what they had seen. They would also have had good reasons to believe that Jesus had raised himself from the dead after the disciples told them that they had seen the risen Lord and what that meant to all who would believe this good news (gospel) of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

 

(John 12:18) For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign.

 

The fact that Jesus had performed a sign that He was the promised Messiah when He raised Lazarus from the dead was reason enough for the crowd to go and meet Him as He entered Jerusalem. Everyone knew that only God or one greatly blessed by God would have the power to raise from the tomb one who had been dead four days and give him life. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus most probably accompanied Jesus’ disciples when Jesus entered Jerusalem. If anyone doubted that Jesus had performed this miracle, they could have met Lazarus and have heard the testimony of many witnesses.

 

(John 12:19) So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him.”

 

The crowd that cheered Jesus as He entered Jerusalem drew the attention of the Pharisees, who always seemed to have people who would come to them and report whenever Jesus worked a miracle. No matter what Jesus said or did, or what others claimed about Him when He healed someone or raised them from the dead, the Pharisees found a reason to complain about Him or claim that He was violating their laws and traditions and therefore a rebel and sinner. When the Pharisees accused Jesus of being a sinner, the man born blind that Jesus had healed answered them in John 9:25, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” When the Pharisees saw the crowds and heard their chants of Hosanna, they admitted that they could do nothing that would interfere with the crowds’ adoration of Jesus. They could not arrest Jesus in their presence. They would need to find another way and seek another time to arrest, kill, and silence Jesus. As they looked at the crowds, they testified in amazement, “The world has gone after Him!” But no matter what the Pharisees did eventually, after they crucified Jesus and He rose from the dead, the world went after Him and the world still goes after Jesus as the Lord and the Savior of the world or as One to persecute by persecuting His faithful followers.

 

 

 

How We Grow as Believers in Jesus

Sunday, October 18, 2020

John 12:12-19

 

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 (John 12:16—KJV).

These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him (John 12:16—NASB).

His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him (John 12:16—NRSV).

At first, many of us did not understand the Bible or Jesus’ teachings or the meaning of Jesus’ actions. Jesus’ first disciples were like us. Like them at first, we began by knowing and believing enough to know that Jesus is a person whose teachings are worth trying to follow. Then, we learned that Jesus did far more for us and the world than teach us truths that transform lives and enable believers to live a life worth living in this world. We learned that Jesus came into the world to be more than a teacher of ethics, a good moral example, or a positive thinker. Jesus came into the world to be glorified, but not as this world glorifies super achievers in areas this world admires. God glorified Jesus when He appeared to be a failure, when He was mocked, flogged, and lifted up on a cross. God glorified His Son when He sent Jesus to die as a sacrifice for our sins, so God could extend mercy and the offer of forgiveness to everyone who would believe in Jesus. Then, God glorified Jesus when He rose from the dead and began giving His followers the assurance of eternal life, freedom from slavery to sin and evil, and a life of loving relationships with God and others. Now, when difficulties arise in the lives of Jesus’ followers, the Holy Spirit helps them remember the Bible’s teachings that they have studied, and the Holy Spirit gives them the courage and power to live victoriously during their trials and troubles.

 

Thinking Further

How We Grow as Believers in Jesus

Sunday, October 18, 2020

John 12:12-19

Name ______________________________

 

1. On what day did Jesus enter Jerusalem to go to the festival? What happened to Him the day before and what day was that?

 

 

 

2. What word did the crowd use when Jesus entered Jerusalem? What did that word mean? Or what are some meanings of that word? Consider Psalms 118:25.

 

 

 

3. What did the crowd call Jesus? What do you think His entering Jerusalem meant to them?

 

 

 

 

4. To fulfill prophecy, what did Jesus do during the parade with His disciples?

 

 

 

5. Who did the crowd testify about? How or why could they testify to this?

 

 

 

Questions for Discussion

 

1. On what day did Jesus enter Jerusalem to go to the festival? What happened to Him the day before and what day was that? Jesus entered Jerusalem on Sunday, called Palm Sunday by Christians. The day before Palm Sunday was Saturday, the Sabbath, where He ate at a dinner with Lazarus and others and where Mary anointed His feet.

 

2. What word did the crowd use when Jesus entered Jerusalem? What did that word mean? Or what are some meanings of that word? Consider Psalms 118:25. Hosanna! “Save, I Pray!” or “Savior!” or “Help!” In Psalms 118:25, we read, “Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!”

 

3. What did the crowd call Jesus? What do you think His entering Jerusalem meant to them? “The King of Israel” (the Messiah). They probably thought He would be a physical or political Savior and free them from slavery to Rome rather than as the spiritual Savior who would free them from slavery to sin and the devil and give them the Holy Spirit and the gift of eternal life.

 

4. To fulfill prophecy, what did Jesus do during the parade with His disciples? He rode the colt of a donkey into the city. In Zechariah 9:9, we read this prophecy: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

 

5. Who did the crowd testify about? How or why could they testify to this? They testified about Lazarus and Jesus and how Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. Those in the crowd who could testify saw Jesus raise Lazarus and Lazarus walk out of the tomb. Some who could testify saw Jesus and Lazarus eating dinner together the night before. Many eyewitnesses testified to the Jews coming out of Jerusalem to meet them as they neared the city about this sign Jesus performed.

 

 

Word Search

How We Grow as Believers in Jesus

Sunday, October 18, 2020

John 12:12-19

Name ______________________________

 

A C B L E S S E D L E H W Y D

Y M N F U N C R X V O M F U W

Q Z Y Z O Q P T A S U I K F H

G F L B J A V D A I T F N E C

V M N P L F U N B S S A W S M

B X U M N Y N Q E P G E Q T H

K Y T D W A U T K X M V D I J

J S E H C N A R B E S P O V E

F E Z K X H K Y L M U D G A S

C Q S C N E I A D K R Q E L U

Y J N U T O S P W V A K Y D S

L O R D S U D B O H Z Q I F W

G X V Z R L Y V R F A D E N J

K Z G E Q I U F C D L Z V F G

C S J F U F Z I O N I W U R Q

 

Crowd

Festival

Jesus

Jerusalem

Branches

Palm

Hosanna

Blessed

Lord

King

Donkey

Zion

Lazarus

Raised

Testify

 

 

True and False Test

How We Grow as Believers in Jesus

Sunday, October 18, 2020

John 12:12-19

Name ____________________________

 

Circle the True or False answers. Correct the False statements by restating them.

1. Jesus walked into Jerusalem on the Sabbath after Mary anointed His feet the night before. True or False

 

2. A great crowd gathered and went out to meet Jesus as He entered Jerusalem. True or False

 

3. Many took Palm branches to fight the wicked Pharisees who wanted to arrest Jesus. True or False

 

4. The crowd that welcomed Jesus shouted, “Hosanna!” which can be interpreted as “Save, I pray!” True or False

 

5. The crowd shouted, “We hope you have come in the name of the Lord!” True or False

 

6. The crowd called Jesus the King of Israel. True or False

 

7. Jesus looked for a horse fit for a king, but He had to enter Jerusalem on a young donkey. True or False

 

8. Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah, the king, would enter Jerusalem sitting on a donkey’s colt. True or False

 

9. The crowd testified that Jesus had raised Zacchaeus from the dead and many believed in Him. True or False

 

10. The Pharisees rejoiced when they prophesied, “Look! The world has gone after Him!” True or False

 

 True and False Test Answers

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. False
8. True
9. False
10. False

 

  

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for giving us the great commandment for Your glory and our fulfillment. We want to love You with all that is within us. And we want to love our neighbors—whomever You place before us—in the same way we love ourselves. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen