LESSON 9
THE HUMBLE SERVANT
(JOHN 12-13)
In Mark 10:43-45 the Lord Jesus pointed to Himself as the best example of a SERVANT:
" (43) But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister (servant).
(44) And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be ________________________ of all.
(45) For even the ____________ of _____________ came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to ______________ His life a ransom for many."
Jesus came not to be served, but to serve! He came not because of what He
could GET but because of what He could GIVE! He served us by GIVING His life so that we
could live! This same truth is also presented in Philippians 2:8:
"And being found in fashion as a man, He_________________ Himself, and became obedient unto _________________, even the death of the ______________ ."
In John Chapters 12 and 13 we want to learn about this humble Servant who came to give His life for us:
1A. The Humble Servant is Anointed For Burial (John 12:1-11).
2A. The Humble Servant Enters the City of Jerusalem (John 12:12-19).
3A. The Humble Servant Tells of His Coming Death (John 12:20-50).
4A. The Humble Servant Washes the Disciples' Feet (John 13:1-17).
5A. The Humble Servant Predicts His Betrayal By Judas and His Denial By Peter (John
13:18-38).
Once again Jesus returned to Bethany, the town where Lazarus lived (John 12:1). His death on the cross was only about a week away.
Martha, the sister of Lazarus, served supper (John 12:2). There were others who were present for this meal including Mary (Martha's sister), Jesus, the twelve disciples and a man named Simon (see Mark 14:3). What other man was there at the table (John 12:2)? _______________________Can you imagine eating a meal with a man who had once been dead and in a tomb for 4 days!
We shall now learn about something very special that Mary did for Jesus. What she did because of her love for Jesus has never been forgotten. It has been written down in three places (John 12:3-8; Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9). Wherever the Bible is preached, men and women will learn about Mary and what she did for Jesus (see Mark 14:9) !
In the New Testament we read about several women who all had the name "MARY." Which Mary anointed the Lord Jesus? We find the answer in John 11:1-2 (and compare John 11:32). This was the Mary who lived in the town of _________________________ and whose sister's name was _____________________ and whose brother's name was ______________________ . She is the same Mary that we read about in Luke 10:38-42. See MARY and MARTHA.
Mary's act of love is described in John 12:3. Mary had a jar of very expensive ointment or perfume. This perfume weighed about 12 ounces or 3/4 of a pound (the word "pound" is the Greek word "litra" which equals about 12 ounces or 3/4 of a pound). What was this perfume? We are told that it was genuine or pure NARD (this is the meaning of the word "spikenard"). Nard came from a herb grown in the high-pasture-land of the Himalayas, between Tibet and India. Since it could only be obtained from such a remote area and carried all the way to Palestine on camel-back, it was very high priced!
Judas thought that this perfume could be sold for _______ pence or denarii (John 12:4-5). That is a great sum of money! We learned about the value of a denarius in our study of John chapter 6. It was the amount of money that an average worker would receive for one day's work (Matthew 20:1-16; a "pence" means one denarius). Three hundred of these silver coins would be the amount that a worker would receive for_______ days of work (probably equal to about a year's wage!). This means that it would take an average worker about one year to earn enough money to buy this amount of nard perfume!
This perfume also had a very strong aroma! We are told that when the jar was broken open the whole "house was _______________ with the ________________ of the ointment" (John 12:3).
Let us picture in our minds what Mary actually did. Jesus was reclining on a couch by the table. Suddenly Mary breaks the jar which she is holding in her hand, and she pours its sweet-smelling contents over Jesus. According to Matthew and Mark she pours it upon His head (Matthew 26:7 and Mark 14:3) and according to John she anointed His feet (John 12:3). Both statements are true. Matthew and Mark clearly indicate that the perfume was poured over the body of Jesus. For example, see Matthew 26:12: "she hath poured this ointment on my _____________." Apparently there was enough perfume for the entire body: head, neck, shoulders and even for the feet. The feet are covered with an amount of ointment so abundant that they have to be dried with her _________________ (John 12:3).
Was Judas Iscariot thankful that Mary showed her love to Jesus in this way (John 12:4-5)? _______ Judas and some of the other disciples saw this perfume poured all over Jesus and they were thinking, "WHAT A WASTE!" (compare Mark 14:4-5). Judas actually spoke up and he said that the ointment (perfume) should have been sold and the money should have been given to the _________________ (John 12:4-5). Did Judas really care about the poor (John 12:6)? _______ Who was the only person that Judas really cared about? __________________________ Judas was the "treasurer" of the disciples! He carried the money bag and the Bible says that he was a T______________ (John 12:6)! Do you think Jesus knew all about his greedy heart? _________ Mary was so generous but Judas was so greedy!
Did Jesus think that Mary's act was a foolish waste of money (John 12:7-8)? _____ According to the words of Jesus, Mary's act was very significant. She was anointing the body of Jesus for burial. In New Testament times the Jews would often come and anoint a dead body with perfumes and spices. According to Jesus, Mary did this before His death because there would be no time later. In fact, when the women came to the tomb of Jesus to anoint His body (see Mark 16:1) there was no body to anoint (Mark 16:6)! Mary's anointing was the only anointing that His body ever received!
In John 12:8 Jesus was speaking to His disciples ("ye" is plural). Who would they always have with them? _____________________ Who would they not always have with them? ___________________ Jesus was reminding them that there would always be opportunity to help the poor (see Mark 14:7--"whenever ye will, ye may do them _______________"). But the day was soon coming when Jesus would no longer be with them. The opportunity to do something for Jesus was fast slipping away. The time to do something for Him is NOW, and Mary made the most of this opportunity! Jesus is no longer in the world today. If we want to show our love for Him today, what must we do (John 14:15,21-24)? _________________________________________________________________________________
A great number of people were coming to Bethany. There were two reasons
for these crowds: 1) they wanted to see Jesus (John 12:9); 2) they also wanted to see
___________________________ (John 12:9), a man who had once been dead! The Lord's enemies
not only wanted to kill Jesus, but who else did they want to kill (John 12:10-11)?_____________________________________________________
In John 12:12-19 we learn about an event which has been called THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY or THE ROYAL ENTRY OF CHRIST. All four of the Gospels tell us about this event when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem for the final time (Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, John 12). Even the Old Testament predicted this event (see Zechariah 9:9).
As you read John 12:12-19, you will notice the public nature of this event. Jesus came BOLDLY and NOISILY into the city. He even came DEFIANTLY because He knew that His enemies were there ready to get Him (see John 11:57). At this point in time the Lord did everything He could to attract attention to Himself! The time had come (compare John 13:1)!
This public policy was quite unlike our Lord's ministry prior to this time. Previously Jesus was very careful to avoid too much publicity and at times He would shy away from crowds. When His enemies tried to get Him He would escape and withdraw (see John 10:39-40 and John 11:53-54). But now He made His way right into the city of Jerusalem in broad daylight with multitudes shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the ___________________ of Israel, that cometh in the name of the Lord" (John 12:13 and compare Psalm 118:25-26). It was as if Jesus wanted as much publicity and advertisement as possible. When it was all done the Lord's enemies were amazed by His popularity and they said, "Behold, the ________________ is gone after him" (John 12:19).
The people took "branches of _______________ trees" (John 12:13) and they placed them before Jesus as He entered the city. It was customary for people in the East to welcome a King or a Conqueror in such a way.
When Jesus entered the city He came in a very HUMBLE way, sitting on a young ass or donkey (John 12:14-15). He did not come into the city riding in some magnificent chariot pulled by powerful horses! His entrance into the city is foretold in Zechariah 9:9. In this verse He is described as One who is "L________________, and riding upon an ass."
In the future Jesus Christ will come a second time as Israel's King. Will
He come in meekness and lowliness or will He come in power and great glory (Matthew
24:30)? ______________________________________ When He comes the second time will He be
riding humbly on a donkey or will He be riding victoriously on a white horse as the
world's Conqueror and Judge (Revelation 19:11-16)?
___________________________________________________________ Jesus came the first time
to be the world's Saviour. He will come a second time to be the world's Judge. Those who
do not receive Him as their Saviour must someday face Him as their Judge.
In earlier chapters in John's Gospel we saw that the Jews were unable to lay their hands on Jesus because "His _________________ was not yet ____________ " (John 7:30 and 8:20 and compare John 2:4). As we read John 12:23 we find these important words: "The ________________ is __________________, that the Son of man should be glorified." The time had come! In John 12:24 we see that Jesus was talking about His death.
In John 12:24 the Lord used the illustration of a seed. A grain or kernel of wheat must fall into the ________________ and_______. Only in this way can you have fruit (a rich return of wheat). If you keep the kernel of wheat in a glass jar in your kitchen cupboard, will you ever get fruit? Years later the kernel will still be there-- the same as when you put it in. It will be there all alone! But when that kernel is put in the ground "to die" something amazing happens! The hard shell of the seed begins to soften and soon it begins to disintegrate and break open, and out comes LIFE! The kernel is no more, but living wheat has sprung up! Jesus had to die on the cross so that there could be fruit and life! If Jesus hail not died, then He would go to heaven ALONE! There would be no Moses or David or Isaiah or Peter or Paul or YOU in heaven! But because Jesus died He made it possible for WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM (believes in WHO HE IS and WHAT HE HAS DONE) to spend eternity with God. Calvary made possible a rich harvest of souls! The humble Servant came to GIVE (sacrifice) His life so that we could have life!
Believers must follow the example of their Lord (John 12:25). The world thinks that receiving is getting and giving is losing. The world thinks that it is more blessed to receive than to give. But Jesus taught that we must give up something to gain something. We must lose in order to get. To get to something higher, something lower must be let go of! If a person lives only for himself he will be in trouble, because "he that loveth his life shall ______________ it" (John 12:25). If a person denies himself and lives for God and for others, his reward will be great (the last part of John 12:25). We must choose whom we are going to serve. Are we going to serve SELF or the SAVIOUR (John 12:26)?
In John 12:27-28 Jesus prays to His heavenly Father. In His sinless humanity Jesus momentarily shrank from the awful prospect of dying for man's sin and being separated from God (compare Matthew 27:46). In John 12:27 Jesus said, "Father, ___________ ______ from this hour." But Jesus knew that this was the very reason He had come to this earth (John 12:27). If He were to be saved from going to the cross then none of us could ever be saved. If He were to keep His life then we would die in our sins. The unsaved criminal on the cross next to Jesus said, "Save _______________________ and _______" (Luke 23:39). But if Jesus were to come down from the cross and save Himself, would He then be able to save us?______ Salvation is impossible unless the Saviour pays sin's penalty in full !
More than anything else Jesus wanted God to be glorified: "Father, _____________________ Thy Name" (John 12:28). Was this prayer of Jesus answered (John 12:28)? ______ This is one of those very rare times when God the Father actually spoke from heaven (John 12:28). Did the people really understand what was happening (John 12:29)? _______
As Jesus spoke He continued to tell the people about His coming death. In John 12:32 He said, "And I, if I be ____________ ______ (on the cross) from the earth, will draw _______ ________ unto me." When He spoke these words, was He speaking about His death (John 12:33)? ________ In John 3:14 we also learned about Jesus being lifted up on the cross.
When the Lord Jesus died, there were two crosses--one on His right hand,
and the other on His left (Mark 15:27). The Lord Jesus draws all men to that center cross
where they must choose to accept or reject the Crucified Saviour. There are two choices
that a person can make, as symbolized by the other two crosses:
When the Jews heard Jesus talking about His death they were very puzzled (John 12:33-34). "We have heard out of the law that __________________ (the Messiah) abideth _________________" (John 12:34). In other words, they knew that the Old Testament taught that the Messiah would live and reign FOREVER (see Daniel 7:14,27; Isaiah 9:7 and Psalm 102:26-27). But Jesus, who had just entered Jerusalem as KING (John 12:13), spoke of His death and that He would be LIFTED UP on a cross! If Jesus were really the Messiah, then this would be quite a problem! HOW CAN A DEAD MESSIAH LIVE AND REIGN FOREVER? How did God solve this problem (see Acts 5:30)?_______________________________________________
Jesus did not really answer their question (see John 12:34-36) but instead He told them to do the most important thing of all: "Believe in the ___________________" (John 12:36). Who is the Light (John 12:46)? ________________________________ Those who reject the light end up in darkness and are blind (John 12:40)!
Is it possible to see many miracles with your own eyes and still not believe (John 12:37)? _______ A person might say, "If only Jesus were here on earth today! If I could just see Him performing those miracles then I would believe on Him!" Is this true? _______ Remember, multitudes of Jews witnessed the miracles of Christ and yet they cried, "CRUCIFY HIM!"
In John 12:39-41 the Apostle John is quoting from a passage in the Old Testament found in Isaiah 6:1-10. Notice what John says in John 12:41--"These things said ___________________ when he saw his (Christ's) glory and spoke of Him (Jesus Christ)." In other words, John tells us that the One whom Isaiah saw was Jesus Christ! According to Isaiah 6:1 who did Isaiah see? _________________________________________ According to Isaiah 6:5 who did Isaiah see? _______________________________________________________ This great Lord and King was none other than Jesus Christ (before He came to earth)!
Did some of the rulers believe on Jesus (John 12:42)?______ Did they confess Him and tell others what they thought of Jesus (John 12:42)? _______ If they were to boldly and proudly confess Christ what would happen to them (John 12:42 and compare John 9:22,34)? _____________________________________________ Have you ever confessed Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Have you ever told others that you love Him and that you believe on Him? What promise does Jesus give to those who confess Him before men (Matthew 10:32)? ___________________________________________________________________ There is something much worse than getting thrown out of the synagogue (see Matthew 10:33)!
Read John 12:44-50. What does Jesus say about those who believe on Him and receive His words? What does Jesus say about those who do not believe on Him and who reject His words?
As we come to John chapter 13 we find that the hour of Jesus' death was drawing even closer. Jesus knew that He would soon "depart out of this __________________ unto the ______________ " (John 13:1). In fact, those things which we will read about in John 13 took place on the very night before Jesus died on the cross. On the very next morning He would be nailed to the cross. On the very next night He would be buried in the tomb!
In this chapter we will also learn several things about Judas the Traitor, the one who betrayed the Lord. Who influenced the heart and mind of Judas to do such a thing (John 13:2 )? ___________________________
What did Jesus do on this night that really surprised the disciples (John 13:4-5)? ____________________________________________________________________________ In Bible times the washing of feet was necessary because the roads were very dusty and the people would wear open sandals. At a dinner the host would usually provide water for his guests. Either the guests would wash their own feet or else the host would have servants (SLAVES) do this task. The disciples were amazed to see their Lord and Master stooping down to do such a lowly and humble task. Jesus was taking the servant's place!
Jesus also did this because He wanted to teach the disciples a very important spiritual truth about the Christian life and how to walk in fellowship with the Lord. Did Peter want Jesus to wash his feet (John 13:6-8)? ______ But Jesus gave Peter a strong answer: "If I do not wash you, you have no P__________ with Me" (John 13:8). The word "PART" in John 13:8 means "to be having part, to have part with Me, to share, partake of one's work and one's reward" and thus it means "partnership" or "fellowship." Jesus cannot have fellowship with a disciple who has dirty feet! If you want to walk in close fellowship with the Lord, then you need to keep your feet clean!
When Peter heard what Jesus said, he answered, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my _______________ and my ____________" (John 13:9). Peter quickly went to the other extreme! Now Peter wanted an entire bath--from head to toe! But Jesus reminded Peter that he did not need a bath, he only needed to have his feet washed: "He that is washed (bathed, a washing of the whole body) needeth not except to wash his _____________, but is clean every whit (this means "clean every bit" or "completely clean"): and YE ARE CLEAN" (John 13:10). In other words, Jesus was saying, "Peter, you have already had your bath and you are completely clean. But you do need to get your feet washed so that you can walk in fellowship with Me and be a partner with Me!"
In Bible times, a person would take a bath, and then they would walk on dusty roads with only sandals on their feet. Upon arriving at their destination, they would still be all clean, except for their feet. A similar situation may have happened to you at the beach. You may have been rolling around in the sand so that you are covered with sand from head to foot. You then jump in the ocean or the lake to clean off all the sand (this is like a bath). But as you walk to the changing room or bath house your feet get all sandy and you must wash off or wipe off your feet before putting on your shoes.
When a person is saved, he is given a complete salvation bath! God washes the believer and makes him perfectly clean! All of his sins are forgiven (past, present and future). Jesus said, "YE ARE __________" (John 13:10). There was only one disciple who was not clean (John 13:10-11). What was the name of this UNCLEAN and UNSAVED disciple (John l3:11, and compare verse 2)? __________________________ Judas was still in his sins. He had never had his salvation bath. He had never been "born of water" (John 3:5).
Even though believers are saved and forgiven and cleansed, they can still get their feet dirty as they walk in this world as Christians. There are times when believers still sin day by day (1 John 1:8,10). This is why we must _______________ our sins (1 John 1:9) so that we keep our feet clean! We do not confess our sins in order to get saved. Peter did not need a bath! God has already saved the believer (cleansed him completely). But believers are to confess their sins so they can have close fellowship with the Lord. It is necessary for a believer to have clean feet (John 13:8 and compare Isaiah 59:1,2).
Have you had a salvation bath? Have all your sins been forgiven (see Ephesians 1:7 and Acts 10:43)? If you really are a Christian, are you keeping your feet clean day by day? Do you follow what 1 John 1:9 says? It is one thing to know what 1 John 1:9 says but it is another thing to DO what 1 John 1:9 says! Jesus said, "If ye _________________ these things, __________________ are ye if ye ________ them" (John 13:17)! Happy is the believer who confesses his sins and confesses them RIGHT AWAY! Do not let the dirt and sand stay on your feet for very long!
In John 13:12-16 Jesus told His disciples to follow His example. He
humbled Himself and served them by washing their feet. They should also humble themselves
and serve others. The person who is really GREAT in God's sight is the person who is
S________________ of all (Mark 10:44). Can you think of ways that you can serve others
this coming week?
Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen to Him. The actions of Judas came as no surprise to Him. Before it ever happened Jesus could predict it: "Now I tell you ______________ it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may _______________________ that I AM He" (John 13:19). As we have already seen, Jesus knew from the very beginning who should ___________________ Him (John 6:64).
Usually those who eat with us at our table are our friends. But the Lord knew that there was an enemy sitting at His table (see John 13:18). Judas was not for Christ, he was AGAINST Him!
What did Jesus say to the disciples (John 13:21)? ______________________________________________________________________________ Did the disciples know who the betrayer really was (John 13:22 and compare Matthew 26:21-22)? ______ The disciples did not say, "It must be that scoundrel Judas!" No, Judas had fooled them all! They even trusted him to hold the money bag (John 12:6)!
The Apostle John is known as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." We learn about him in John 13:23 (remember, he is also the man who wrote this Gospel!). John was leaning on Jesus' bosom or breast. In Bible times people would not sit at the table on chairs as we do today. Instead they would recline (lie back) on couches, resting on their left elbow with the right arm free for eating. Thus they would be lying on their side. The head would be nearest the table and the feet would extend away from the table. The person on one's right would have his head nearest the chest of the person to his left. John was to the right of Jesus.
John, perhaps more than any of the other disciples, knew how to stay close to the Lord. Think of a Shepherd and His sheep. The Shepherd loves all of the sheep, but some sheep stay closer to the Shepherd than others. Some sheep walk right next to the Shepherd. The Shepherd might even reach down and carry one of the lambs in his arms. John was a disciple who knew how to stay close to the Lord. If we are really sheep (John 10:26-27) then our responsibility during our Christian life is to stay as close to the Shepherd as possible! Don't wander away from Him!
Since John was so close to Jesus, Peter beckoned to John and gave him some kind of a sign. He wanted John to ask Jesus to reveal who the betrayer was. John then asked the question, "Lord, _____________________________ (John 13:25).
A SOP (John 13:26) is a piece or morsel of bread. In Bible times people did not use silverware such as spoons or forks. Instead they used their hands to eat. They would take a piece of bread and use it to scoop up any food that was partially liquid (such as soup or broth). Jesus took a piece of bread, dipped it and who did He give 1t to (John 13:26)? _______________________ This was the sign! Judas was the one!
After Judas received the SOP or bread, what happened to him (John 13:27)? _______________________________________________________________ It is bad enough to be DEMON POSSESSED but Judas was SATAN POSSESSED! Judas allowed himself to be the devil's instrument and he was about to perform one of the greatest crimes the world has ever known!
The other disciples did not really know why Judas left the room (John 13:27-28). Why did some of them think he left (John 13:29)? _______________________________________________________________________________ Did Jesus know what Judas was going to do? _____
After Judas left Jesus gave His disciples a __________ commandment (John 13:34). The Old Commandment had said, "Love your neighbor as _______________________ " (Leviticus 19:18). The New Commandment also said to love your neighbor or to love one another, but what is different about the new commandment is the part that comes after the word "AS." Jesus told them to "love one another as _____ have ____________________ you" (John 13:34). They were to love AS CHRIST LOVED! Suppose the disciples were to ask Jesus this: "Lord, how have you loved us?" Jesus could have answered, "Tomorrow I am going to go to the cross and I will show you the kind of love I have for you!" There is no greater love than CALVARY LOVE! If we really want to learn HOW TO LOVE, we need to look to the cross, because it it there that we really see the love of God (see Romans 5:8 and Ephesians 5:2,25). It is this kind of love that should be the mark of true Christians (John 13:35)! A person loves with Christ's love when he decides to give of himself for the sake of the other person, seeking to meet that person's real need, regardless of personal cost or sacrifice, wanting only that person's highest and best. This is the kind of love the Saviour showed for us (John 3:16)!
Jesus not only knew all about Judas, He also knew all about Peter! The self-confident Peter was sure that he was ready to follow Jesus anywhere. He even said to Jesus, "I will lay down my ____________ for thy sake" (John 13:37). Peter meant well, but he did not know how weak he really was. Peter would not only fail to do what he claimed, but he would also deny the Lord __________ times (thrice means three)--see John 13:38. Jesus knows our every weakness! He knows we are frail and He knows that we will fail!
As Christians we need to beware of SELF-CONFIDENCE because Jesus said, "without _______ ye can do __________________ (zero)" (John 15:5). We need to have CHRIST-CONFIDENCE so that we can say, "I can do _______ _________________ through __________________ who strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13)!
Without Him we shall surely fail!
With Him we can't help but succeed!
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