We begin the final week of Jesus’ life.
Click here for an online Bible John 12:1-19
Jesus came to the house of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. They held a party in his honor. They had already believed in Jesus, then he raised Lazarus from the dead. No wonder Mary was so extravagant in honoring Jesus with the expensive perfume.
Those who had a heart for Jesus were joyful when he healed people. They were overjoyed when he raised Lazarus from the dead. They probably viewed Mary’s extravagance as appropriate. However, those whose hearts were hard were upset when Jesus healed people and outraged when he raised Lazarus from the dead. I suspect that we get a glimpse of Judas’ heart when he objects to Mary anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume.
People gathered around the house to see Jesus and Lazarus. Lazarus had become quite the local celebrity. Because of this, the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus. Talk about hard hearts.
The next day, Jesus went into Jerusalem. The people treated him as a king entering the city. They were waiting for the Christ. Now, Jesus seemed to fit the profile. You don’t get much more godly than raising people from the dead. Jesus even rode a colt into town fulfilling Old Testament scriptures.
The word about Jesus spread and more people believed. This really got to the Pharisees. They knew that they had better take more direct action.
The crowds accepted Jesus. But they accepted him based on what they were looking for. They wanted a national leader. That’s not a bad thing to want. It is also what their tradition trained them to expect.
As we share the gospel of Jesus, we need to understand what they are looking for. We need to understand what they are expecting. Then we can share Jesus in a way that they can understand.
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2 comments:
I agree with sharing the gospel in a way that people can understand. I just want to say that Pastor Cliff, you are very good in sharing the gospel in a way that I can relate to and understand. Thank you. And, thank God for today’s English version bibles. King James version is somewhat hard to understand.
The problem with meeting people where they are... is there can become a stalemate position or stalled progression in the race for the prize. So, yes go to them and meet them where they are, but don't stay there too long, go/continue on moving and growing toward Christ, if they choose to follow you, let them follow Christ. Therefore, we also have a responsibility to exercise our gifts (holiness, giving, exhortation, encouraging, hospitality, teaching, prophecy, healing and making progress in this race to become Christ, we will not make it on our own the Holy Spirit is here to guide you and comfort you, It is the Helper). I would go on, but I've spoken much before. We are now moving into a very sacred area of scripture for me and I wish to remain silent (Lord willing) of many of my personal convictions about the remainder of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I encourage you to continue to seek His favor, in all that you do out of your love for Him. Amen,
EJ
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