John 12 and 13

Step 1: Read John chapters 12-13 and take notes on what stands out to you.

Step 2: Consider answering some or all of the questions below (may these be a blessing, and not a burden)

Optional Study Questions

1. Re-read John 12:1-11. How do you think the gift Mary gave to Jesus made Him feel?
2. 1. Optional: dig a little deeper and check out: When we read Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9, we get additional accounts of Mary pouring the perfume on Jesus’ feet. This fragrance would have been very expensive, yet Jesus recognized this as a sacrifice. Ironically, Mary did not go to the tomb with the women three days after the death of Jesus to place the fragrance on His body. It leads some to wonder, did Mary anticipate what was going to happen to Jesus due to the time she had spent intently listening to Him? Perhaps she was showing her devotion to Jesus BEFORE His death, as opposed to bringing “flowers” to the funeral. Check out Isaiah 52:7
3. Re-read John 12:12-15. Now read Zechariah 9:9-10. What type of King is Jesus?
4. Re-read John 12:42-43. Many prominent people did privately believe that Jesus was the Christ. What priorities kept them from confessing their faith publicly?
5. Re-read John 12:44-50. What does Jesus say in His final appeal about: His identity/relationship with the Father? His mission? Those who reject Him and His words?
6. Re-read John 12:24-26 and 13:12-17. Reflect on the meaning of what Jesus is saying in this passage. How might this passage apply to you as a Christ follower? How does Jesus challenge the disciples’ idea of what it means to be the chief followers of the Messiah?

Heart Questions

1. Where do you find it most difficult to openly live your faith? Why do you think that is?
2. Jesus openly received the gift of the perfume being poured onto his feet and Peter had a hard time letting Jesus wash his feet. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself as someone who easily receives? Why does it take humility and grace to let someone serve us or be generous towards us?
3. In John 13:18-30 we see Jesus experience deep rejection and betrayal. Later in John we will see Him rejected by Peter three times (John 18:15-18, 25-26). Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? If so, compare the way you felt and acted to what Jesus may have felt. What command did Jesus give His disciples in John 13:34-35? Now dig a little deeper and read about how Jesus instructs us to deal with those who sin in Matthew 18:15-17. Be sure to note, how does Jesus treat tax collectors like Matthew (Matthew 9:9-13) and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)?
4. List one way this week we can show love for another person. In what way does loving this person in a specific way demonstrate that you belong to Jesus?