Six days before the Passover, Jesus was in Bethany eating with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha when Mary took some expensive oil and anointed the feet of Jesus (12:1-3). Mary’s action was an expression of worship which signified her love for Jesus, but one of Jesus’ disciples, Judas Iscariot, became angry that this oil was used to anoint Jesus’ feet instead of being sold and the money given to the poor (12:4-5). John makes a note that Judas said this “not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it” (12:6). As the treasurer of the disciples, Judas had become a thief. Jesus quickly spoke up to defend Mary’s act of worship saying, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always” (12:8). In reality, Mary’s anointing of Jesus not only signified her worship, but also an anointing for His future death and burial. In Jesus’ culture, people would spend lots of money using costly oil and fragrances on the dead in an attempt to cover up the stench of decay and here Mary’s action foretold the soon-coming death of Jesus. Some Jews had gathered to see Jesus and Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead, but John tells his readers that they only came because they wanted to not only put Jesus to death but Lazarus also (12:9-10).
“The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna [salvation is come]! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!’” (12:12-13) This occurrence is often referred to as Palm Sunday, the day when Jesus officially presented Himself to Israel as their Messiah and the Son of God. The people worshipping Jesus here in Jerusalem took place just one week before they would crucify Him on the cross. John also makes reference to the prophet Zechariah (12:14-15) who had prophesied almost 500 years earlier that Jesus would come riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people would worship Him as King (Zechariah 9:9). Although Jesus’ disciples did not understand all that was transpiring at that moment, they would soon know that Zechariah’s prophecy was referring to Jesus and that He was the promised Messiah (12:16). Jesus popularity amongst the people was at its highest point and even the religious leaders recognized it (12:17-19).
Of course Jesus’ popularity would be short-lived as these cries of worship would soon turn to cries of crucifixion. Jesus finally acknowledges that His time to be put to death has come (12:23) so He begins to instruct His followers about the significance of His upcoming death. Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (12:24). As the death of a kernel produces a future harvest, so also will the death of Himself produce life for many. Jesus goes on to say, “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor” (12:25-26). Because Jesus would soon face death, those who believe in Him may also encounter the same thing, but instead of trying to save their lives, His followers should be willing to lose it in service for Him.
Jesus’ upcoming death would be the toughest thing He would face during His lifetime, but He knew it was necessary to bring life and salvation to all who would believe in Him. Although many of His followers will never experience death in service for Him, they are called to live in service for Him. If Jesus was willing to die for us, the least we can do is live for Him.
Dear God, the death of Your Son was the greatest thing You could do for me, so now enable me to live for You.
