John 12


John 12 continues the account of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Beginning with His anointing by Mary at the home of Mary and Martha, continuing with the acclamation of Jesus by the people on what we commonly call, "Palm Sunday," and ending with the claim of Jesus that He speaks only as God said, this chapter reveals more of who Jesus really is: not just a man, but the Son of God!



46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

John 12:46-50, King James Version



John 12 continues the narrative of Jesus' life, beginning with a dialogue at the home of Mary and Martha, and ending with the claim of Jesus that He speaks only as God said. Jesus spent His entire life directing us to God, the Father, revealing that He was and is, indeed, God the Son!


John 12:


Anointed Jesus - Verses 1-3

Mary anointed Jesus using spikenard ointment. Many considered this a frivolous expense, but was it? The fact that this story appears in all four Gospels would suggest that God certainly did not think so!


Beginning of End - Verses 4-8

Beginning of End! Continuing in this chapter, we find we have reached the beginning of the end. The first hint we have of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus, is found in his words, "Why was not this ointment sold . . . and given to the poor?"


Lazarus Revisited - Verses 9-11

Lazarus Revisited. The 12th chapter of John continues our devotions on the Gospel of John with the statement, "By reason of him many Jews went away and believed on Jesus."


Hosanna - Verses 12-16

Hosanna! Our devotions on the Gospel of John continue with a devotion on the day we know as Palm Sunday. Many gathered palm branches and spread them on the ground before Jesus, as the prophecy was fulfilled: "Behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt." It was a remarkable time, for in just a week, many of these same people would cry, "Crucify Him!"


Gone after Jesus - Verses 17-19

Gone after Jesus! The Pharisees were frustrated, for after the death of Lazarus, Jesus' followers grew to the point that the Pharisees said, "The world is gone after Him!"


See Jesus - Verses 19-23

"Sir we would see Jesus," the Greeks who came to the feast implored Philip, in this devotion from the Gospel of John, chapter 12. How important is Jesus to us? Are we, as His children zealous to know Him?


Honored by God - Verses 23-26

Honored by God! When the we live at a time that the very name of Jesus is so misunderstood--when His very divinity is openly attacked-- we need to remember that Jesus, the Son of God, was glorified by God before all men through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension in heaven!


Glorify God - Verses 27-33

Glorify God! Jesus, being troubled in His soul, prayed that God would be glorified in the hour of His death and ultimate burial, resurrection, and ascension!


Children of Light - Verses 34-36

Children of Light! As we continue our devotions from the Gospel of John, chapter 12, we consider Jesus admonition that as we believe in Him, the Light of the World, that we do not walk in darkness, but rather in light!


Closet Christians - Verses 37-43

Closet Christians! As we continue our devotional study of this chapter, we discover that in many ways, things have not changed that much in these 2000 years since the Lord Jesus walked on this earth!


As God Said - Verses 44-50

As God Said! It is so important that Christians are faithful to the word of God. Even Jesus, in this chapter, said, "Even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." If it was necessary for Jesus to only speak the words of God, then, we, too, must be careful to do the same!



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