Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made him a dinner there, and Martha was serving, but Lazarus was one of the ones reclining at table with him” (John 12:1-2)

Chapter twelve opens at a different dinner than in other gospels. It seems to be a celebration dinner for Lazarus honouring Jesus. Martha is serving. It’s happening in Bethany. And it isn’t hosted by a Pharisee or a leper or a leprous Pharisee (Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50). In fact, the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus (the Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection and Lazarus walking around kinda made them look bad). This time, it isn’t a woman known for sinful behaviour, but Mary the sister of Lazarus who anoints Jesus with costly ointment. Judas and some of the disciples hadn’t been happy about the wasted ointment the last time. This time Judas seems to be FURIOUS about the wasted money. This time we have the reason: Judas stole from the money they took in. So if this ointment had been sold, he would have had access to some of that money. It was the last straw for him.

This Lazarus thing was causing real issues for more than the Sadducees. Many Jews were coming to Jerusalem and going to Bethany to see Lazarus because the story of how he was raised from the dead after four days was spreading. Then came Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with people waving palm branches and crying out to Him. And the crowds increased because it was Jesus who raised Lazarus. Even Greek Jews were coming to see Jesus. It was getting to be a real problem for the chief priests. They were despairing over ever being rid of Jesus since it seemed the whole world was following Him.

The thing was, though, that the people were following the SIGNS and WONDERS, not JESUS. Jesus spoke of His coming torment. That the Son of Man must be lifted up so that He could draw all Sin to Himself and pay for it – enabling all people to be drawn to Him and saved. The people didn’t understand. Some of the rulers of the synagogues believed in Jesus – but they kept it secret and didn’t openly follow because they feared the chief priests casting them out. They cared more for their public position than truly following. Jesus again and again tries to make it clear that following Him is following the Father, that believing in Him will save them from judgment, and that all that Jesus had done had been at the behest of the Father alone. But they weren’t HEARING Him and did not understand.

Chapter thirteen opens on Passover, during or right before the supper. Jesus stripped off His outer clothes and wrapped a towel around Himself like a servant. He got a bowl of water and began to wash the disciples’ feet one after the other. Peter refused, and when Jesus said it was neccessary he doubled down, asking for his head and hands to be washed as well. Jesus told him that only his feet needed it – the one part which got dusty and dirty with travel – and that the rest of him was clean, because Jesus had already cleaned it. He segued into talk of His coming betrayal because it hurt Him so personally that one He loved like a brother would betray Him. None of them knew who it was and there was a lot of talk about it. John leaned against Jesus and asked who it was, Jesus showed by His actions that it was Judas – although others thought that Judas’ sudden departure meant he was being sent to give to the poor (showing how generous Jesus consistently was and how much money they regularly went through).

Jesus exhorted His disciples to continue to love each other the way that Jesus loved them. That they would be known by their love for one another – a godly love that relied on Holy Spirit’s guidance. Jesus told them that since He was going, they needed to lean into this command so that they could stay together as a group. Peter again refused this teaching in the sense that he declared that he would go WITH Jesus – sharing in His fate even if it killed him (Peter). Jesus told him that he (Peter) would deny Jesus three times before the night was over.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Disciples, Religious Jews, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Jews

Key Verse(s): John 12:27-36; 13:21-35