John 12:20-26 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
 
AH, yes. It is good for these Greeks to seek Jesus. Sometimes “Greeks” is used in the Bible to define those who are not Jews. In this case, it seems these were Jews who had come from Greece. Many Jews lived throughout the Roman Empire. These Greeks had come faithfully to celebrate the Passover Feast. When the Greeks saw Jesus’ glorious entry into Jerusalem, they surely wanted to meet the man – possibly the Messiah? – so lovingly praised in the streets. To that purpose, the Greeks approached Philip. Philip gets Andrew, and they go to Jesus. Then Jesus teaches. What lesson can we learn from the Greeks’ request and the disciples’ response?
    Here’s one: when we are curious about Jesus, it is good to go to him in a good and proper way. Our first step today, of course, is to meet Jesus in the Scriptures. In God’s Word you will discover Jesus’ spoken teachings. Remember, John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. Jesus is the Word. Seek him through his words.
    A second step is to be as the Greeks. Go to someone who knows Jesus. Talk to a pastor, teacher, mentor, or friend, for example, who lives well and exhibits some knowledge of God. Ask questions. Be prepared to listen and learn. Submit to Jesus’ words.    
    Are you looking for Jesus? Do you desire a new life more faithful to Jesus? Then go to the Bible. Go to the right people. Live out his words. Know your time has come to meet with the Lord and to live in his truth. When you do, you will be as a seed the Spirit has planted to bear fruit for Jesus. You will lose your old life and gain a new, remarkable and joyful life in the Kingdom of God.
 
Prayer: I pray, Jesus, I seek you in all your truth. I pray I am eager to believe in you and believe you are sovereign over my eternal life. Joyfully, I pray in your name, Amen.

John 12:12-19 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, 15 “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt.” 16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. 17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
 
THE Pharisees were very distressed at the crowd’s attention to this wandering rabbi from Galilee. Their doubting hearts and prideful tongues had accused him of being a pretender, a blasphemer, a magician, and a false-teacher. They worked diligently to discredit the Son of God.
    But now to their great distress the crowd of Jesus’ followers was praising him as King of Israel. The people joyfully worshiped Jesus with the words of Psalms 118:26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. 27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. The praising people believed all signs pointed to Jesus as the true Messiah. They had heard and seen what Jesus had done. Yet, while the crowds cheered, the Jewish rulers, the church of that day, sneered.
    God’s leaders had for too long taken their eyes from the Lord. Their minds were so focused on God’s and their own rules, they had forgotten God’s holy grace, love, mercy and power that is foundational to his law. Instead of celebrating, “The whole world is following him.” their faithless eyes missed the wonder of God in their midst.
    Do we as God’s church too often miss the wonder of God in our midst? Are we paying attention to ourselves or to God’s leading? Are we showing Jesus to the world? Or inadvertently trying to drive people away from Jesus?
    How might we do that? Perhaps we worry too much about form at Sunday’s worship and are less attuned to the heart of worship – our rules over God’s love? We might neglect caring for one another because it feels awkward and requires sacrifice. We may devote more time to formulating strategy instead of doing ministry. We may too tightly hold our money, forgetting its God’s provision, not our possession.
    Let’s be the kind of church that receives the Lord Jesus and welcomes others to do the same. May we keep our hearts and eyes open to God in our midst. Let us live as God’s people, worshiping Jesus as the crowd that day. Let’s always proclaim with hearts of worship, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  
 
Prayer: I pray, Jesus, we as your church always welcome you into your sanctuary. Amen.   

John 12:10-11 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus too, 11 because on his account many Jews were rejecting them and believing in Jesus.
 
OUT of the grave, Lazarus should be safe from all harm, shouldn’t he? But about three weeks later, the chief priests were plotting to kill him! What was Lazarus’ crime?
    His crime was life, wasn’t it? This friend of Jesus had received the magnificent resurrection healing, literally born again. As a result, he was a walking, talking, living testimony to Jesus’ power. Lazarus gave credibility to Jesus, who proclaimed, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) He is the Son of God, the author of life.
    Are you a living testimony to the life-giving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ? What are some practical ways you can show to the world Jesus is alive? Sometimes demonstrating Jesus’ resurrection power may mean you comfort someone who is mournful or troubled in spirit. You can share how Jesus’ comforts you as you testify of the Spirit’s presence. Speak of prayer’s strength-giving power as you faithfully speak with your living Lord. Be confident and joyful, too, in the Lord as a testimony of the Lord’s peace ruling your life.
    Perhaps someone needs to decide about a relationship, finances or a job, and they seek your advice. You can tell them how you decide through a pattern that begins with reading the Bible. Share your prayer habit. Tell how you seek guidance from Christ-centered friends to help you know what is right and good to do. Testify to the ways God’s words have impacted your life. Then share a specific way that is real for you.
    You can tell people of the importance of taking time to seek God when they need strength and patience. Also, they should know that going to the Lord in prayer and inviting others to pray for you has helped you to know God’s truth is relevant for all circumstances. You can simply share, too, that when you follow Jesus’ life examples, life is better for you through the life of its Creator.
    Sadly, even as you are a living testimony to Jesus’ resurrection power, people will mock you. They want to “kill” your testimony, to silence Jesus in your life. Be of faith, then. Think of your life before you began to walk with Jesus. Remind yourself of the ways you are different now. And know, too, the more alive your faith is, the greater is your testimony. Alive in Jesus, people will see your Lord is very personally the resurrection and the life.
    Remember, as you confess Christ, you are born again, made alive in Jesus’ blood. Be alive in Jesus. Show the world Jesus is alive.
    
Prayer: Thank you, Holy Spirit, that I am born again, free of death’s chains. Stir my heart to live steadfastly in the power of my risen Lord. Amen.
 

John 12:4-8 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
 
DO you cherish Jesus? In other words, do you eagerly anticipate the time you schedule each day to be with him? When you think of his salvation, do you hold the Savior in high esteem? Are you willing to give up a preference in the world because you prefer Jesus?
    Mary cherished Jesus. She seemed to be angry with Jesus before he restored Lazarus’ life. Now she cherishes the Lord’s presence and power in her family’s life. She holds the Lord in high esteem because he has done a remarkable work in their midst. How could we not cherish such a Savior?
    But Scripture shows us how sin turns our eyes to the immediate world around us. This is what happened with Mary’s gift. People criticized her for her lavish anointing perfume on Jesus. Such a waste! Feed the poor! Yes, we can and should do these things, but Jesus’ points us back to him.
    Our daily work to live into Jesus’ commands must begin with an abiding love for Jesus. Acknowledge first in all things that his presence as the life-giving power that transforms our eternal life.
    Life on earth is temporary. The resurrected Lazarus died later. All in the house that day eventually died. We all will die. What then is important? What should we cherish? Of course, it is to the eternal Lord we give our hearts of worship. Cherishing the temporary only reduces our lives to the temporary. Honoring the eternal Lord resurrects our lives toward heaven.
    Resurrection living is recognizing temporary versus the eternal. Keeping our eyes on Jesus we will know how to cherish and to serve the Lord.  
 
Prayer: Lord God, I cherish our love, your life and your presence in my life. Lead me to the places where you want me to care for your people. Thank you. Amen.
 

John 11:55-57 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the Feast at all?” 57 But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.
 
MANY people are wondering if Jesus will come to the Passover Feast. Some of these have certainly witnessed Jesus’ raising of Lazarus. Others have seen his miracles and heard his teaching. Some want to put Jesus on Jerusalem’s throne. Others, of course, want to arrest him. How different it is to believe and to not believe! Celebrate Jesus - cast Jesus away. Honor Jesus – dismiss Jesus.
    Consider mankind’s pride to so easily dismiss our Creator. When one reads his foundational teachings such as the Ten Commandments, Moses’ words in Deuteronomy (meaning “these are the words”) or the Sermon on the Mount, anyone should be able to understand these truths to be good for all.
    For example, nations’ leaders can learn how to rule in peace. Business owners will see the means to prosper. Husbands and wives learn the way to a good, loving marriage. Churches and communities can discover the means to work in unity for the common good.
    Listen to God’s desire for his people – and ultimately for the world: Deuteronomy 28:9b If you keep the commands of the Lord…12 The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. Although following God’s word does not guarantee financial wealth, our Lord promises essential financial security as we obey his commands.
    We learn, too, the spiritual blessings of God’s ways in Matthew 5:3-9 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
    Jesus then urges us to live out his words: Matthew 7:26 “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
    History is clear. The world’s way leads to sure destruction. God’s ways lead us to peace now and forever. Let’s faithfully believe and live out our Creator’s words.
 
Prayer: Save us, Holy Spirit, from unbelief. Turn our eyes from self to Savior. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.   
   

John 11:45-46 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the Pharisees and the chief priests met with the Council and said, “What shall we do? Look at all the miracles this man is performing!”
 
“WHAT shall we do?” asked the Pharisees. I want to reach back through the centuries and answer their faithless question. Here are some things you could do Mr. Pharisees: Believe Jesus. Submit to Jesus. Love Jesus. Obey him. Experience his transforming miracles in your hearts.
    And do this: Worship him! The Lord of Life stands before you, and you wonder, “What shall we do?” How blind were you?
    Oh, wait a minute. I was discouraged the other day. Some circumstances occurred that surprised me, even shocked me. Those conditions caused me to mourn a lost relationship. I didn’t know what to do. I asked, “What shall I do?”
    My work is to spend a good deal of time in the Bible every day. I ponder it and respond to it. I ought to very personally know what to do in each circumstance. My mind should be sure of God’s love, truth, law and purpose. I should easily live certain of Jesus’ resurrection power to overcome hard things. The Holy Spirit’s comfort should ease my soul.
    But sometimes I don’t trust God is with me in my situation. Perhaps I am too insignificant, too little for God to put any effort into my life. But then I realize my mind is as the Pharisees’. We make God too small. We forget how personally our Lord brings his majesty to the world.
    After all, Jesus has promised Mary and Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) He has testified to and demonstrated the Father’s resurrection power. Jesus has not only raised Lazarus, he has personally defeated the grave. He is ascended and rules at God’s right hand. The Spirit reminds me that the LORD of heaven has called me to speak and minister his resurrection work throughout the world. The Holy Spirit reminds me to trust God, to celebrate him and to worship him. Only in Jesus will each of us discover the sure hope that all things broken will be made new again.
    “What shall we do?” Let’s be people of faith who do this: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
    Then receive this blessing: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for showing me, empowering me to know what I shall do in all circumstances. I love you. Amen.
 

John 11:45-46 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the Pharisees and the chief priests met with the Council and said, “What shall we do? Look at all the miracles this man is performing!”
 
“WHAT shall we do?” asked the Pharisees. I want to reach back through the centuries and answer their faithless question. Here are some things you could do Mr. Pharisees: Believe Jesus. Submit to Jesus. Love Jesus. Obey him. Experience his transforming miracles in your hearts.
    And do this: Worship him! The Lord of Life stands before you, and you wonder, “What shall we do?” How blind were you?
    Oh, wait a minute. I was discouraged the other day. Some circumstances occurred that surprised me, even shocked me. Those conditions caused me to mourn a lost relationship. I didn’t know what to do. I asked, “What shall I do?”
    My work is to spend a good deal of time in the Bible every day. I ponder it and respond to it. I ought to very personally know what to do in each circumstance. My mind should be sure of God’s love, truth, law and purpose. I should easily live certain of Jesus’ resurrection power to overcome hard things. The Holy Spirit’s comfort should ease my soul.
    But sometimes I don’t trust God is with me in my situation. Perhaps I am too insignificant, too little for God to put any effort into my life. But then I realize my mind is as the Pharisees’. We make God too small. We forget how personally our Lord brings his majesty to the world.
    After all, Jesus has promised Mary and Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) He has testified to and demonstrated the Father’s resurrection power. Jesus has not only raised Lazarus, he has personally defeated the grave. He is ascended and rules at God’s right hand. The Spirit reminds me that the LORD of heaven has called me to speak and minister his resurrection work throughout the world. The Holy Spirit reminds me to trust God, to celebrate him and to worship him. Only in Jesus will each of us discover the sure hope that all things broken will be made new again.
    “What shall we do?” Let’s be people of faith who do this: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
    Then receive this blessing: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for showing me, empowering me to know what I shall do in all circumstances. I love you. Amen.

John 11:43-44 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 “Untie him,” Jesus told them, “and let him go.”
 
DEATH’S bondage is broken! Do we have any comprehension of the joy Mary, Martha and the other mourners experienced? Jesus acts far beyond their faith. The “Resurrection and the Life” has fulfilled his promise, “Your brother will rise again.” (John 11:23) Perhaps all were filled with so much wonder of God’s glorious work they could only gradually comprehend, “Lazarus is alive!”
    Praise God. Amid human hopelessness, despite deep doubt from all around him, Jesus untied death’s grip and raised his friend Lazarus. Even though they had seen so many miracles, Mary, Martha and the disciples expected nothing significant to happen. Oh, how different is this resurrection than the death the disciples had anticipated as they walked toward Bethany: “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16b) Life transformation breaks forth when the Lord speaks, “Untie him and let him go.”
    Indeed, Jesus’ words are a life-giving command. I pray often that the Lord will come to call my name, that he will untie my doubt, toss away my fears, loosen the bonds of too little faith. “Untie me, Lord, from my self-view, so I will clearly see the light of God’s resurrection promises. Free me from spiritual blindness to know how to respond to my Savior. Teach me what Jesus’ church needs from me.”
    I long, too, to be untied from my physical blindness. The restrictions and limitations I live with each moment of the day can frustrate and slow me. I pray and hope that God will resurrect my sight. But he continues to say, “Trust me.” as I remain tied to weak eyes.
    Or am I? I am untied from blindness if I trust Jesus is with me. “Okay, Lord. I am yours. Give me eyes to focus on your blessings that fill my heart, soul and mind. Untie me from self-pity. Release me into thankfulness for you. Unbind me to truly live a resurrected life, loving you with all my heart.”
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that you are the key to untie the chains that bind me. Focus my heart on your magnificent grace, mercy and love. Empower me to see where you want me to go to untie people from sin’s bondage, to unite them with you. Amen.   

John 11:41b-42 Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
 
GOD calls us to testify of his character and his work in our lives. All of us have a testimony of God calling us to faith. The church is spiritually enriched and encouraged when we hear people testify to God’s grace and power to save them into true faith. I hope you testify of God’s gracious work in your life.
    God established this pattern early in history. “Testimony” is used in the Old Testament as a physical display of God’s presence with Israel as they journeyed in the desert. The Testimony in Exodus, for example, is the ark of the covenant. This ark – or chest – contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, a piece of manna and Aaron’s staff. These three items testified to God’s law, provision and priestly order. The word “ark” it is said, comes from a combination of words that described Noah’s ark and the basket Moses’ parents used to place him in the Nile River (Exodus 1). Noah’s ark, Moses protection and Israel’s journey are three testimonies to God’s gracious work to save mankind from our sins. When we consider how God acted in ancient times to save us this present day, he is glorified. God is praised, uplifted in our minds. As the ark of the covenant was the visible Testimony long ago, God’s church today must continue to be a physical Testimony of God’s provision, grace and salvation.
    This is Jesus’ example. Before he spoke to Lazarus’ dead body, he spoke to the Living Father in heaven. He testified to the people around him that this was not his power to call forth a dead body. Before them they would, instead, see the Father act on the Son’s prayer.
    Jesus testified, “that they may believe that you sent me.” He has testified of the Father throughout his ministry. Jesus’ testimony that day would further enrich the disciples’ own testimony one day as they displayed God’s glory to the world.
    Today, this work has been given to the church. That is each one of us as well as the universal community of believers. You and I must be a visible testimony of God. Strive to speak, act and live in Jesus’ commands. With your faithful testimony, people will know you are Jesus’ disciple, testifying to your glorious Lord God.
 
Prayer: I praise you, Holy Spirit, for opening my mind to the Bible’s testimony of the Living God. Amen.  
   

John 11:38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone.
 
MARY and her sister Martha had both confessed their faith in Jesus’ life-giving power, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21 & 32) They believed in Jesus as he declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” Martha told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (John 11:25-27) Now it’s time to demonstrate to Jesus and their friends, “We believe Jesus.”
    The two women who have learned from Jesus’ words, must now act into his words. The stone of doubt is there, isn’t it? Jesus commands, “Take away the stone.” Then Martha responded, “But, Lord, he has been there four days.”
    “I believe, but...” How often do you look past God’s promises to focus on the obstacles? “I believe in you as my Lord and Savior, Jesus, but…I’m not ready to believe your promise of peace…I’m not able forgive…I’m not good enough to receive your mercy… I don’t know enough of the Bible to tell others about you…that would make me uncomfortable. (These are mine, you can add your own.)
    Martha speaks our dilemma, isn’t she? Martha would need an extraordinary faith to believe and act into Jesus’ outrageous command. This is not about a future resurrection of the dead. Here are real people who are challenged to display a real faith in a real God.
    How did Martha and Mary get past the “but” stone? The Spirit rolled the stone away from their hearts/ They heard Jesus affirm, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” In a moment, the Spirit revealed to them all they knew and confessed of Jesus. They acted in faith because they believed Jesus.
    When we read in James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. We are inclined to think of big, even life-changing tasks God might call us to do. But here with a quiet assent, Mary and Martha put their faith into action. And the glory of God would break over Bethany on that day and testify, even to this day, of Jesus, the Christ.
    Faith to action will always glorify God. Believe in God and believe God. Live out your faith. Affect your family, friends, church and the world with God’s gospel. This is the glory of God.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray that “whatever (I) do, whether in word or deed, (I) do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17) Amen.