I get a real sense in John 12 that events are rapidly coming together now, and that the time has arrived for Jesus' purpose. Back in John 2, He told Mary, "My time has not yet come" (2:4); now "the hour has come" (12:23). This is just the tip of the iceberg of the foreshadowing in this chapter.
We begin in Bethany with the account of Jesus' anointing which was "saved for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
Of course, the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday is another clue that events are reaching their culmination. The disciples didn't understand this at the time, but in retrospect they realized the truth (12:16).
Interest continues to grow in Jesus among the Jews because of Lazarus' resurrection and is now breaking out even among the Greeks. Again, we have a sense that a climax of sorts is on the verge of occurring.
We hear a voice from heaven regarding the imminent glorification of the Son. After Jesus hears it, He twice says the time is "now" and that the people will have the light "just a little while longer."
This chapter serves as Jesus' public benediction on His ministry. It is His farewell speech to the crowd; what we will hear next in John are His private conversations with His disciples, His testimony at the trials, and His final words from the cross.
I love the Pharisees reaction in 12:19 during Jesus' entry. They say "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!" The WHOLE WORLD? Really? It is comical to me because I can see that I do the same thing when things aren't going my way. I can make those huge statements like "this is the worst day every." Really Josh? The worst day ever? Could you even possibly know that? There were many days before you even got here. Surely one of those days was worse than this little problematic day today.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how their exasperation comes through. In the last few chapters, it sounds like they are at their wits' end!
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