Abide Together: Reflections on John 12

In John 12, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and Judas took offense at this, but Jesus says she has done a good thing in preparing Him for His death. Jesus enters Jerusalem to a crowd of people shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”  Of course, they thought HE was coming to defeat the Romans at this time. The Pharisees become even more hateful toward Jesus and many Greeks wish to meet Jesus. Jesus explains how important His death is my using the illustration of a grain of wheat needing to die and go into the ground before it can bear fruit. Jesus once again explains that He will die and His death is essential for people to have life. He calls Himself the light again and says that all who believe in Him will not remain in darkness.  The thing that sticks out to me is verse 37, “But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him.”  This reminds me that believing is not just a mere understanding of some facts about Jesus, but a complete embracing of Him as Savior and Lord.  This kind of belief must be awakened by the Holy Spirit.  Lord, help me be faithful to share the message of Salvation through faith in Jesus and trust You to work in people’s hearts.

– Bryan McKenzie