1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” 9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. —John 12:1-11

There are

I. The context

• A. The raising of Lazarus, and the resulting death threat, caused Jesus to retreat 11:54
• B. An APB had been put on Jesus by the religious leaders 11:57
• C. Six days before Passover, Jesus decides to return to Bethany, where all the trouble started, and goes to a party

Amidst the chaos of emotions, agendas, and uncertainties,

II. The dynamics

• A. The devoted
  
  1. Martha served 12:2
  2. Lazarus relates 12:2
  3. Mary loved 12:3
• B. The thief 12:4-6
  
  1. Hypocritical care
  2. Greed
• C. The fans 12:9
  
  1. There for the show
  2. No desire to be a genuine follower
• D. The haters 12:10
  
  1. Refused to look at the facts
  2. Concerned about their power and position

III. The applications

• A. Our
  Reveal Answer
  to God’s will guides us through the chaos of life. 12:7-8
• B. True disciples will
  Reveal Answer
  Jesus like Mary,
  Reveal Answer
  Him like Martha, and
  Reveal Answer
  to Him like Lazarus. 12:2-3
• C. Unbelief is not necessarily an information problem; it is a
  Reveal Answer
  driven by power, greed, jealousy, and hatred. 12:11
  

Small Group Questions

There are no Small Group questions this week. Happy New Year!