For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

 John 12:44-50

For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” John 12:49-50

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:44-50, where Jesus cries out (apparently from hiding - see v36 - as the text does not share how circumstances have changed), that people should believe because He has authority, a message, and a mission given to Him from the Father.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus was sent by God the Father and He reflects the Father - vv44-45.  Earlier text in John shares how Jesus and the Father are One - see John 10:30.  Jesus is the Light of the World, giving Light to those who live in sin/darkness - v46 (see also John 9:5).  Jesus once again shares how His mission is not to judge but to save (v47) - see also John 3:17.  While Jesus' mission as the Incarnate Son of God is to save, He does share that on the last day, when Jesus returns after ascending to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God, that His Words will judge (and by implication eternally condemn) those who do not receive His Words and believe in Him. Jesus ends the text for today in vv49-50 by sharing that God the Father has given Him authority and a commandment - "what to say and what to speak." The commandment given to Jesus is eternal life - see also Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33, and John 1:1-2 where the text shares that Jesus' words will not pass away (eternal), how Jesus and the Word existed in the beginning with the Father, and how the Word was Jesus and the Father. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid rejecting Jesus' words.  Claim the promise that if you believe Jesus' words and believe in Him, you will be saved and have victory over sin and death as it is already won.  Love God as the most important commandment.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who saves!  I am not deserving of how You save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

 John 12:37-43

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. John 12:42-43

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:37-43, where Jesus has just spoken and performed many signs, the people still don't believe.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Here we see that Jesus moves on by hiding from the crowd (v36) to whom He has spoken as they still did not believe (v37).  Their unbelief fulfills prophecy from Isaiah 53:1 and 6:10 - reinforcing how God alone saves, He chooses whose heart is hardened and whose is softened such that they believe, and how all of scripture points to Jesus.  God revealed Himself to Isaiah and in turn shared God's message to Israel (one of both judgement and hope) - v41.  Pharaoh's heart from Exodus was also hardened by God to fulfill the words God spoke.
• What do we learn from the text about people?:  Hardened hearts manifest not just in disbelief, but also in a failure to trust the Lord to protect and save.  V42 shares how some of the authorities believed in Jesus but only partially gave their hearts to the Lord and held back some of their heart as they feared persecution from the Pharisees (v43).      
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid partial faith such as the authorities in the text today and the rich young ruler who loved His wealth more than Jesus.  Follow the example of how Jesus laid down His life for the Father....and for all who believe. Claim the promise that the victory over sin and death is already won - particularly on this day (Easter) - so we can trust in Jesus as He gives us the same power that raised Him (Romans 8:11).  Trust Jesus and fully surrender to God and give Him all of Your heart and life.  Treasure Jesus as Your Lord and Savior.  Love God as the most important commandment. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus for saving me and giving me the same power that raised You from the grave.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

 John 12:27-36

Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:30-32

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:27-36, where we Jesus talking and teaching a crowd in Jerusalem during Passover.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: As the Incarnate Son of God, both fully God and fully human, Jesus experiences what all people experience, including pain and suffering - see v27 where Jesus is "troubled" as He knows the hour for His crucifixion is near.  As God, He can stop this but He does not as He shares that "for this purpose I have come to this hour."  Jesus asks God to glorify the Father's name in v28 and the Father responds yes I have and yes I will again.  Jesus was sent by the Father and we must recall from John 10:30 that God and the Father are One.  Jesus shares in v30 that the voice from Heaven was come for the sake of those listening to Him so that they can believe.  Vv31-32 shares how judgement is coming to the world and that Jesus will die and rise to Heaven and save others through their faith in Him.  We must understand Jesus' plan to seek and save the lost - that is why He came (Luke 19:10) - this believers' purpose also.  Jesus wants to save as many as possible - see vv35-36 where Jesus warns people that He will not be around very much longer (He will die, rise and be seated on right hand of the Father) and if they do not believe, they will face eternal damnation and darkness.     
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Those in the crowd listening to Jesus heard the Father speak to Jesus and believed it was thunder or an angel - v29.  This was indeed a divine moment yet most (except perhaps the disciples who were nearly always with Jesus) in attendance did not see it as the Father speaking to the Son and we will see later how the people did not believe in Him (v37). V34 demonstrates this unbelief due to their questioning of what He is teaching.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid trusting in our own understanding but instead in wisdom and understanding that comes from God alone (Proverbs 3:5). We should claim the promise that faith in God will give us eternal life.  We should follow the example of Jesus who obeyed the will of the Father to die on the cross - we too must deny our earthly desires and instead do His will.  We should believe and walk in the light - Jesus Christ.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

 John 12:20-26

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. John 12:25-26

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:20-26,   Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God has a purpose and a plan for His Son Jesus and the Son is obedient to the plan, including the timing.  V23 reveals Jesus' obedience to the plan and the timing.  The plan itself is for Jesus to be glorified and on this Good Friday (April 3, 2026) this includes Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection three days later on Easter Sunday. The world does not see death as glory, so Jesus has to clarify v23 and vv24-26 do that by sharing that for those who believe in Him, their lives belong to Jesus and they must reflect the Light of the Son of God and must bring glory to Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). V24 first includes a warning a warning that if we don't die to self (see also Luke 9:23, Galatians 5:24), we remain alone - implying separation from God, including eternal damnation. But, if we do die to self and live for Christ, we bear much fruit for Him.  We must lose and hate our earthly life but live for Him as citizens of Heaven and His Kingdom - and we have this promise of eternal life. We must follow the example of Jesus losing His life and gaining glory for Himself...and we will be honored by the Father.     
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People may not express it as the Greeks did in v20 but all have needs and seek what only Jesus can provide - victory from sin and death in this world (forgiveness) and for eternity - salvation.  We should connect people to Jesus just as Philip and Andrew did with the Greeks in vv20-23.      
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We must avoid living for ourselves.  We should claim the promises of how faith and dying to self bears fruit for Him, provides eternal life, and honor from the Father.  We should follow the example of Philip and Andrew to connect others to Jesus.  We should follow Jesus - where ever He tells us to go.  We must live for Him.   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

 John 12:12-19

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” John 12:13

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:12-19, where Jesus makes His triumphal entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding on a donkey.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus' entry fulfilled prophecy per vv14-15 - see Zechariah 9:9.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv12-13 shares how the people felt about Jesus as they shouted "hosanna" - with most scholars agreeing that at the least the people praised Jesus, with many scholars going further that the word and its use as a prayer to be saved.  Those shouting hosanna seemed to rightly recognized Jesus as the Promised Messiah.  Yet, the disciples did not at first (compared to the crowds shouting hosanna) see how Jesus fulfilled scriptures to the same extent - see vv16.  This implies that God reveals Himself differently to each person as a means to equip him/her for unique roles and missions He designs.  The disciples seemed to need a different equipping/training - see also Ephesians 2:10.  Vv17-18 shares how those who witnessed Lazarus' resurrection bore witness to Jesus and sought to meet Him when they heard (v12) He was coming to Jerusalem.  In v19, the Pharisees fail to see Jesus for who He is, and continue to be concerned about themselves vs following the most important commandment which is to love God.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid not recognizing Jesus for who He is.  Claim the promise that Jesus is Lord and Savior and all scripture points to Him.  Follow the example to praise Him and seek Him as this represents another promise from Jeremiah 29:13.

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and saves. I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

 

So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

 John 12:9-12

So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. John 12:10-11

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:9-12, where we see efforts to arrest and kill Jesus begin to reach a fever pitch.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: The text describes pure evil as the chief priests not only sought to kill Jesus, but Lazarus as well.  The crime committed by Lazarus, in the eyes of the chief priests, was that he was raised from the dead by Jesus and instantly became a powerful witness for others to believe in Jesus.  We need constant reminders that sin exists in the world since the Fall (Genesis 3) and we need to be on guard (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:10-18).  God not only allowed this, but this is part of a part of His perfect plan to bring as many to Himself for salvation as possible - we all sin and need a savior and Jesus Christ is that Savior.     
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Persecution of faith occurs in many forms and while here in the U.S. we don't face the same threat of physical harm as believers in other parts of the world do, we do face scorn and persecution.  Believers need to stand firm in the faith.          
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid being passive with your faith.  Claim the promise that, yes we can face persecution, but either in this world or for eternity God is always with us and He will be our refuge.  Boldly proclaim the gospel and your faith - follow the example of Jesus who did not back down.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, protects, and saves.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings that You pour out for me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

 John 12:1-8

Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12:7-8

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:1-8, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive oil as Judas protests this act of love.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus celebrates God's work - how Lazarus was raised from the dead (v1).  We should have hearts of gratitude towards God as He is always at work and as we grow more aware of God's hand, so will our hearts be increasingly filled with gratitude with what He has done.  Jesus responds in vv7-8 to Judas' protest of Mary's act of love by telling Judas to leave her be.  His response shares a glimpse of His pending death on the cross, and how love of God is the most important commandment (vs love others). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In v3, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with an inordinate amount (one pound) of expensive ointment (nard) - clearly she is not concerned with the money she spent on the nard, but instead she is filled with love for her Lord and Savior as she takes it a step further and serves Jesus by wiping His feet with her hair.  In contrast (vv5-6), Judas does not see this as an act of love and selflessness to bring glory to God as He is consumed with self and greed as we learn that "he was a thief" and will betray Jesus.       
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid selfishness and greed.  Claim the promise that we can never be separated from God's love and that we should follow the example to love God and treasure Him as Mary did.    

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and saves me - You are worthy of all praise, honor and glory and I treasure You.  Thank You for the gift of my salvation and how You bless.  I am not deserving of such a gift and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.