10/01 John 11:46-48
But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together to discuss the situation. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. If we leave him alone, the whole nation will follow him, and then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”
PRESERVATION
The leaders thought that they were preserving the nation. They were no following God nor were they trying to do what God said to do. They were listening to themselves and doing what they selfishly wanted to do. Their words said one thing and their intent said something else. They were the guardians and they had violated God. WE must be careful how we think. We need to make sure that the Lord is leading us when we purpose to do something. We certainly want to follow Jesus in all we do and say.
10/02 John 11:49-50
And one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said, “How can you be so stupid? Why should the whole nation be destroyed? Let this one man die for the people.”
GOD
God is in control. He had a plan. These men followed His plan for the redemption of mankind. It was required that Jesus sacrifice His life so that we might have life. Christ is the Holy One of God who died for our sin.
10/03 John 11:51
This prophecy that Jesus should die for the entire nation came from Caiaphas in his position as high priest. He didn’t think of it himself; he was inspired to say it.
CONTROL
Jesus is in control. Does your life feel out of control? Give it to Jesus and let Him put you life in sync with the Lord. This will change everything for you and will equip you to do anything the Lord has in mind for you to do. It will also give you peace, joy and strength, three things money cannot buy.
10/04 John 11:52-53
It was a prediction that Jesus’ death would be not for Israel only, but for the gathering together of all the children of God scattered around the world. So from that time on the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.
EVIL
Evil has a way of thinking it is in control. All it does is destroy everything in its path. These men thought they could control Jesus. What they never realized is that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were bringing to all of mankind the way of salvation. Come Lord Jesus.
10/05 John 11:54
As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.
PROGRESS
Jesus knew what was going on and He had a plan. The fullness of time would reveal His plan. He knew the right time to begin His final journey to Jerusalem. He also knows the right time to work in your life. Talk with Him. Let Him work on your heart.
10/06 John 11:55-56
It was now almost time for the celebration of Passover, and many people from the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the cleansing ceremony before the Passover began. They wanted to see Jesus, and as they talked in the Temple, they asked each other, “What do you think? Will he come for the Passover?”
PEOPLE
People count with the Lord. He died for us that we might have an eternal relationship with Him. Relationships are important. Be sure you spend time with Jesus and He will spend time with you.
10/07 John 11:57
Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly announced that anyone seeing Jesus must report him immediately so they could arrest him.
CULTURE
Our culture always seems to think it has ultimate say in what and how we do things. We are transient creatures; and none of us knows when the Lord is coming back. The call for us, each one of us, is to be ready today, now.
10/08 John 12:1-2
Six days before the Passover ceremonies began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus — the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus sat at the table with him.
ALIVE
Lazarus was raised from the dead and now he is seated with Jesus at a meal. We have been born again and we are alive in Christ. We too can sit with Him and talk about anything that we need to talk about. He will hear us and He will act.
10/09 John 12:3
Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance.
EXPENSIVE
Mary gave the best she had to Jesus. It was a gift of the heart and devotion. We need to see this in the appropriate setting-this was a significant gift and then elevated to huge by Mary wiping His feet with her hair. Mary gave her all to serving Jesus. It is a good picture for us to think about as we serve. Our goal is joyous servant reviling in the blessed love of God.
10/10 John 12:4-8
But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples — the one who would betray him — said, “That perfume was worth a small fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor — he was a thief who was in charge of the disciples’ funds, and he often took some for his own use. Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer.”
EVIL
Evil is so very destructive. It kills everyone it touches. It causes those under its control to destroy themselves. Judas is evil, evil, evil without any redeeming qualities. When we live in service to the Lord we are on the road to changing society.
10/11 John 12:9-11
When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.
DEATH
This was an amazing response by the Sanhedrin. They truly believed that they could thwart God. It is foolish for us to think that we can stop God. God is good all the time. We cannot change what the Lord purposes. He knows the end from the beginning and is more than able to accomplish whatever He plans. He gives us the opportunity to accept Him in our life. It is our choice. Once we choose Him nothing can separate us from Him. Do not seek to derail the plans of God. When we choose God we have peace, joy and a new relationship with Him.
10/12 John 12:12-13
The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A huge crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!”
EXCITEMENT
The people were excited. It doesn’t mean that they were followers, they were just curious onlookers. Maybe they would see a miracle. But we don’t simply seek to see Jesus perform miracles for we are seeking to know Him. We want to spend time with Him and let Him teach us the way we should go.
10/13 John 12:14-16
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: “Don’t be afraid, people of Israel. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples didn’t realize at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered that these Scriptures had come true before their eyes.
FORETOLD
Everything about the life of Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament. His life was a constant fulfillment of prophecy. So you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Believe and He will save you. Believe and He will give you life and light for living.
10/14 John 12:17-18
Those in the crowd who had seen Jesus call Lazarus back to life were telling others all about it. That was the main reason so many went out to meet him — because they had heard about this mighty miracle.
WORKS
Jesus saw His works as ancillary to His main purpose. He came to save the Lost. He knew we were in trouble and He came to fix it. He did. His death on the Cross gave us a picture of God’s love for us. We can see how much He loves us and how much He cares. Jesus loves you.
10/15 John 12:19
Then the Pharisees said to each other, “We’ve lost. Look, the whole world has gone after him!”
EVIL
Evil has many faces. It can even encourage someone to move against God. These people were working against God. No matter that the Lord could redeem the situation these people basically were not redeemed. Focus on Jesus. Let Him deal with your life and situation. Only in Christ can we come to the Father. Let’s be careful how we live and make sure that Jesus is the center of our life and not we ourselves.
10/16 John 12:20-21
Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem to attend the Passover paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.”
JESUS
Jesus is Lord. Do you want to meet Him? Maybe you have met Him and have gotten weak in your relationship with Him. Come to Jesus. Do whatever it takes to let Him have control of your life. Jesus is Lord.
10/17 John 12:22
Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
SHARING
We should share Christ with those we know. A question I always ask myself is who have I shared the Gospel with this week? If we are filled with Jesus it will be second nature for us to share Him with the people we meet especially those that are friends.
10/18 John 12:23-24
Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. The truth is, a kernel of wheat must be planted in the soil. Unless it dies it will be alone — a single seed. But its death will produce many new kernels — a plentiful harvest of new lives.
SURRENDER
When I surrender myself to Christ I will change. Change happens because Jesus is actively seeking my best good. Sometimes change is painful. Sometimes change challenges the very best in us. Whatever happens I will not be the same.
10/19 John 12:25
Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who despise their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
LIFE
What kind of life do you want? Are you willing to trust the Lord and do as He says? If you are He promises that we will live an abundant life. Are you living an abundant life? Check your relationship with Jesus. He is the source and the goal of the Christian life.
10/20 John 12:26
All those who want to be my disciples must come and follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And if they follow me, the Father will honor them.
OBEDIENCE
Do what the Lord says. Live like we are called to live. When we do that and continue to do that we are following the Lord. Thinking about and acting out our actions in our minds and meaning to do it don’t get it. A Christian life is a Christ like life. If we are just planning to live like Jesus we haven’t hit the mark. Obey the Lord.
10/21 John 12:27-28
Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from what lies ahead’? But that is the very reason why I came! Father, bring glory to your name.” Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought it glory, and I will do it again.”
OBEDIENCE
Jesus lived to serve. He served His Father obediently. Not His will but God’s will was His focus. Who are you serving? Can you say not my will Lord but Your will? Think about it. What will it take for you to lead an obedient lifestyle? Will you do it?
10/22 John 12:29-33
When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him. Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. The time of judgment for the world has come, when the prince of this world will be cast out. And when I am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
DEATH
Jesus died so that we might live. He sacrificed His life to pay the price for our life so that we might be part of God’s family. Eternal life came at a price we couldn’t pay and Jesus gladly paid it. Claim His gift of eternal life for you.
10/23 John 12:34
“Die?” asked the crowd. “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. Why are you saying the Son of Man will die? Who is this Son of Man you are talking about?”
SON OF MAN
They wanted an earthly king. They didn’t understand what the Lord was doing. Listen to Jesus. He will explain to you what the Lord is calling you to do. Be careful how you live and make sure that your life imitates the Lord.
10/24 John 12:35-36
Jesus replied, “My light will shine out for you just a little while longer. Walk in it while you can, so you will not stumble when the darkness falls. If you walk in the darkness, you cannot see where you are going. Believe in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
LIGHT
Jesus is our light. He gives us light for life so that we will be able to do those things the Lord has called us to do and not be overrun by darkness. This world is a tough, dark place and we will never move forward if we aren’t walking in the light that Jesus provides. We can do nothing without the Christ. In Him is life and light so that we might walk properly.
10/25 John 12:37-38
But despite all the miraculous signs he had done, most of the people did not believe in him. This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: “Lord, who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal his saving power?”
WORLD
The world ridicules those who believe in Jesus. We are called foolish and nuts because we name the name of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The world believes in money and power and refuses to kneel to the Lord Jesus Christ. Be careful who you follow for the world is walking in darkness.
10/26 John 12:39-40
But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said, “The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts — so their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.”
BELIEF
There is a point when people cannot believe. It is because of their sin. There is a path of life that leads people progressively further and further away from God. Choose to walk the path that leads you to and with God. Choose Jesus. He is the way, the truth and life.
10/27 John 12:41-42
Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he made this prediction, because he was given a vision of the Messiah’s glory. Many people, including some of the Jewish leaders, believed in him. But they wouldn’t admit it to anyone because of their fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.
TESTIFY
When we are filled with Jesus we will tell others what He is doing in our life. Focus your mind and heart on Jesus first then witness to others about His activity in your life. Share Christ out of a full heart.
10/28 John 12:43
For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
LEADER
A leader that is following Jesus must maintain His focus on Christ. We cannot succeed in our mission or our ministry if we don’t let Jesus control us. I can do NOTHING without Christ is an absolute truism. Let Jesus have your heart, your mind and your actions. He will always lead you in the right way.
10/29 John 12:44-46
Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are really trusting God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the darkness.
JESUS
Jesus is God’s everything. We find in Jesus everything we need for life today, and forever. When we spend time with Jesus we are spending time with the Lord for indeed Jesus is Lord. He is the light and our light. Fellowship with Jesus and you will know real life.
10/30 John 12:47-48
If anyone hears me and doesn’t obey me, I am not his judge — for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged at the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.
JESUS
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Without Jesus we are whistling in the dark not knowing our right from our left. The world is dead in its trespasses and sin. The world doesn’t know where it came from nor where it is going. We are from God and we are going to return to God. Jesus is the way of real life. Reject Jesus and you are rejecting life.
10/31 John 12:49-50
I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me gave me his own instructions as to what I should say. And I know his instructions lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say!”
JESUS
Jesus tells us the things we need to live an abundant life. He expects us to obey. When we obey we walk in the light. When we disobey we are wandering off into the darkness. Jesus is God’s everything. There is no other way to the Father. Jesus is life.
