Three Marks Of True Disciples (John 11:55-12:11) Series

Two weeks ago, everything changed in the gospel of John. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, in the full sight of a large group of Judeans. And when the Judeans saw this, "many" gave their allegiance to Jesus. In an instant, they moved from being stubborn, and hard-hearted, and seemingly hopeless, to realizing that everything Jesus said must be true. Jesus is who he says he is. Jesus can offer the life, that he claims to offer. And once you realize this, the obvious next step that you take, is to give your allegiance to Jesus. And "many" did this, as well.

Let's pick up this morning in John 11:45:

(45) Then, many from the Judeans-- the ones coming with Mary, and seeing what he did-- gave allegiance to him.

(46) Now, some from them, left toward the Pharisees,

and they told them what he did-- Jesus.

(47) Then, they gathered together-- the chief priests, and the Pharisees, the Sanhedrin,

and they were saying,

"What are we doing?,

because this man, many signs, he is doing.

(48) If we allow him [to go on in] this manner, all will give allegiance to him,

and they will come-- the Romans--

and they will take away from us-- both the place and the nation."

(49) Now, a certain one from them, Caiaphas, high priest being of that year, said to them,

"You don't know anything,

nor do you consider,

that it is profitable/advantageous for you,

that one man should die for the people,

and not the whole nation would be lost/perish."

(51) Now, this from himself he didn't speak,

but, being high priest of that year, he prophesied,

that Jesus was about to die for the nation,

and not for the nation only,

but in order that also the children of God-- the ones dispersed-- would be gathered into one.

(53) Then, from that day, they resolved,

that they would kill him.

(54) Then, Jesus no longer openly/boldly/plainly was walking around among the Judeans,

but he left from there to/for the region near the wilderness, to/for Ephraim, a city being called,

and there he abided with the disciples.

How do we view the situation at this point? From one perspective, we should find ourselves wildly optimistic. The fields are ripe for the harvest. Many Judeans can, in fact, come to Jesus, and give their allegiance to him. Anything is possible, now that they've seen a big enough sign pointing to Jesus.

From another perspective, we find ourselves understanding that Jesus is quickly approaching the hour of his death. The religious leaders have decided that they only solution to Jesus, is to murder him. And when they do this, they prove that Jesus was right about them: their true father is Satan. John 8:44:

You, from your father the devil, you are,

and the desires of your father you want to do.

That one, a murderer he was from the beginning,

and in the truth he doesn't stand

because the truth isn't in him.

How exactly all of this play out, we still need to see. But those are the two main lines the story is moving in.

Our story continues this week, in John 11:55:

(55) Now, the Passover of the Judeans was near,

and many went up to Jerusalem from the surrounding area before the Passover,

in order that they would sanctify themselves.

(56) Then, they were seeking Jesus,

and they were saying with one another in the temple, (while) standing,

"What does it seem to you,

that there is absolutely no way he will come to the feast, right?

(57) Now, they gave-- the chief priests and the Pharisees-- commands,

that if anyone knew where he is, he should report [it],

so that they could seize/arrest him.

In these three verses, we find the same distinction between, on the one hand, "many of the Judeans", and on the other hand, the religious authorities. "Many" are seeking Jesus, in a good way. But the religious leaders want to arrest him. The only thing that's changed here, is that time has moved forward. We find ourselves at the edge of the Passover. And maybe we remember John the Baptist's words: "Look! The lamb of God, the one taking away the sin of the world." Maybe Jesus will be the Passover lamb.

In all of this, so far, Jesus is missing. Where is Jesus? Are the crowds right, that there's no way he comes for the Passover? John 12:1:

(12:1) Then, Jesus, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany,

where he was-- Lazarus--

whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus.

(2) Then, they made him a supper there,

Let's pause.

"They made him a supper there." "They" is Lazarus, and his two sisters, Mary and Martha.

Imagine that you are Lazarus. How do you show your gratitude to someone who gave you life? Or, what would you do, if you were his sisters? How do you thank Jesus, when he brings you from a place of no hope, and total despair, and wailing, to making your family whole?