Final Preparations
Mary anoints Jesus at Bethany and crowds welcome Him into Jerusalem with palm branches. The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. How will you respond to Jesus?
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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.
Classroom Instructions
Lesson
Mary of Bethany (John 12:1-11)
Mary of Bethany—she is often found at the feet of Jesus (Lk 10:39; Jn 11:32). • In Discipleship – at his feet, learning • In Distress – at his feet, grieving • In Devotion – at his feet, worshipping ● Alabaster jar of nard (Jn 12:5; Mk 14:5). • Worth 300 denarii—average annual wage. Imported from India (France). • Anointed his body for burial (she had done a similar thing for her brother). ● Timing? See Mark 14:1-4 [is this story a flashback in Mark and Matthew?]
The Triumphal Entry (John 12:12-50)
Passover Pilgrims ● 50,000 people populated Jerusalem—pilgrims caused the city to swell to nearly 1 million (Moore and others suggest 2 million). Josephus stated that 250,000 Passover lambs would have been sacrificed annually (perhaps exaggerated). ● Jewish Pilgrims had a 7-day purification ritual to cleanse themselves from uncleanness. They would also whitewash tombs so pilgrims wouldn’t become disqualified and have to walk home without celebrating the feast.
Messianic Imagery ● Triumphal processions in the ancient world (symbol & propaganda) ● Palm branches were a national symbol from the time of the Maccabean revolt and restorations. The symbol would later appear on coins minted during the Jewish revolts of 66-70 AD (cf. Köstenberger). ● Mount of Olives stood 300 ft over the city of Jerusalem and was about ½ mile away from the busy streets in the city. The Mount of Olives was connected to Messianic expectations because of connections to David’s narrative and prophetic connections in Zechariah 14:4. ● Donkey—imagery connected to a coming King/Judge (Zech 9:9; 2 Sam 19:26; Jdg 10:4).
- Sign of peace or coronation (both Jewish and Greco-Roman).
- Unridden colt in Matthew’s account—that which had never been used were often devoted to a king or God (Jud 5:10; 1 Kings 1:33; 1 Sam 6:7).
● Declarations by the crowd
- Crowd: sing the Psalms of Ascent (113-118)—pilgrims sang these praise songs (Hallel Psalms) on their journey up to Jerusalem for the feast. | “Hosanna” (save us)!
- Pharisees: “Look, the world has gone out to him” (12:19)
- Greeks who come to the disciple: “We wish to see Jesus” (12:20-26)
Time’s up! The hour has come for the son of man to be glorified (12:23) ● First time it is not pointing to a future hour (2:4; 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20; 13:1; 16:32; 17:1). ● The time has arrived for the following:
- Life through death—image of a kernel of wheat.
- Lifted up (Isaiah 52:13).
- Draw all people = all kinds of people (1 Jn 2:2; Jn 10:16).
- Prince of this world driven out (Rev 12:8-11; Jn 14:30; 16:11; cf. 1 Jn 3:8).
John 12:42–43 — 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. reflection
Reflection Question:
- How will you respond to Jesus? Will you respond like Lazarus or perhaps like Mary?
Final Preparations Instructions
Lesson
Mary of Bethany (John 12:1-11)
Mary of Bethany—she is often found at the feet of Jesus (Lk 10:39; Jn 11:32). • In Discipleship – at his feet, learning • In Distress – at his feet, grieving • In Devotion – at his feet, worshipping ● Alabaster jar of nard (Jn 12:5; Mk 14:5). • Worth 300 denarii—average annual wage. Imported from India (France). • Anointed his body for burial (she had done a similar thing for her brother). ● Timing? See Mark 14:1-4 [is this story a flashback in Mark and Matthew?]
The Triumphal Entry (John 12:12-50)
Passover Pilgrims ● 50,000 people populated Jerusalem—pilgrims caused the city to swell to nearly 1 million (Moore and others suggest 2 million). Josephus stated that 250,000 Passover lambs would have been sacrificed annually (perhaps exaggerated). ● Jewish Pilgrims had a 7-day purification ritual to cleanse themselves from uncleanness. They would also whitewash tombs so pilgrims wouldn’t become disqualified and have to walk home without celebrating the feast.
Messianic Imagery ● Triumphal processions in the ancient world (symbol & propaganda) ● Palm branches were a national symbol from the time of the Maccabean revolt and restorations. The symbol would later appear on coins minted during the Jewish revolts of 66-70 AD (cf. Köstenberger). ● Mount of Olives stood 300 ft over the city of Jerusalem and was about ½ mile away from the busy streets in the city. The Mount of Olives was connected to Messianic expectations because of connections to David’s narrative and prophetic connections in Zechariah 14:4. ● Donkey—imagery connected to a coming King/Judge (Zech 9:9; 2 Sam 19:26; Jdg 10:4).
- Sign of peace or coronation (both Jewish and Greco-Roman).
- Unridden colt in Matthew’s account—that which had never been used were often devoted to a king or God (Jud 5:10; 1 Kings 1:33; 1 Sam 6:7).
● Declarations by the crowd
- Crowd: sing the Psalms of Ascent (113-118)—pilgrims sang these praise songs (Hallel Psalms) on their journey up to Jerusalem for the feast. | “Hosanna” (save us)!
- Pharisees: “Look, the world has gone out to him” (12:19)
- Greeks who come to the disciple: “We wish to see Jesus” (12:20-26)
Time’s up! The hour has come for the son of man to be glorified (12:23) ● First time it is not pointing to a future hour (2:4; 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20; 13:1; 16:32; 17:1). ● The time has arrived for the following:
- Life through death—image of a kernel of wheat.
- Lifted up (Isaiah 52:13).
- Draw all people = all kinds of people (1 Jn 2:2; Jn 10:16).
- Prince of this world driven out (Rev 12:8-11; Jn 14:30; 16:11; cf. 1 Jn 3:8).
John 12:42–43 — 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. reflection
Reflection Question:
- How will you respond to Jesus? Will you respond like Lazarus or perhaps like Mary?