JESUS Died for Us - John 12:7-15; 13:21, 26-27; 19:16b-19, 33-37 - April 1, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – JESUS Died for Us – April 1, 2007

This is a continuation of our study in the Book of John. Our study this Sunday is a hop, skip and jump through the scripture focusing on John 12:7-15; 13:21, 26-27; 19:16b-19, 33-37.

My computer is back in the shop until the end of April so the lessons will be abbreviated.

Last Sunday we saw GOD performing a miracle to get the attention of the religious leaders and the people. HE raised Lazarus, who had been dead for four (4) days and stinking, from the dead. This was to reveal without question that JESUS is the SON OF GOD and to reveal that HE is the resurrection and the life. JESUS has the authority over death and HE has the authority to give eternal life to all who accept HIM as SAVIOR.

The raising of Lazarus also prepares the way to reveal, that through the resurrection of JESUS, that JESUS paid in full the penalty for sin and conquered death. HE is the first fruit of those who have died and a confirmation that all who believe in HIM have eternal life through the miracle of rebirth.

Let’s read John 12:7-15:

The Decision to Kill Lazarus
9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned He (JESUS) was there. They came not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus the one He had raised from the dead. 10 Therefore the • chief priests decided to also kill Lazarus, 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them[3] Lit going away and believing in Jesus.

After the resurrection of Lazarus the Jews wanted to kill both Lazarus and JESUS. But fortunately many people believed and acknowledged JESES as the Messiah.

The Triumphal Entry
12 The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches and went out to meet Him. They kept shouting: “• Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord[4] Ps 118:25–26 —the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: 15 Fear no more, Daughter Zion; look! your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.[5] Zch 9:9

We celebrate this occasion as Palm Sunday. There are many people in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Just think about it. GOD delivered the Israelites from the bondage of slavery and HE instituted the Passover to celebrate this event. JESUS is crucified on the day the Israelites celebrated the Passover, to full fill the deliverance of all mankind from the bondage of sin and death.

The Jewish historian, Josephus, estimated the number of people in Jerusalem to be over 2 million. Jerusalem was all-abuzz about JESUS raising Lazarus from the dead. They acknowledged HIM as the Messiah but they were looking for a political solution from Roman rule. They had not considered that JESUS was going to set them free from the ultimate enemy, sin and death.

The crowd welcomed JESUS as a conqueror but HE did not ride into Jerusalem as a military conqueror would ride into a city to declare victory. A military conqueror would have ridden into the city on a white horse but JESUS rides into Jerusalem on a donkey indicating that HE is coming in peace. GOD gives us this prophesy through the prophet Zechariah.

Zechariah 9:9:
9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious,[7] Or and has salvation humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.[8] Isa 62:11; Mt 21:5; Jn 12:15

“Hosanna” means “save now.” The crowd wanted JESUS to deliver them from Roman rule now. When we get false notions about what GOD’S plan is we are greatly disappointed when it does not work out like we think it should. GOD is very clear. HIS ways are not our ways and HIS thoughts are above our thoughts. When we have the proper relationship with HIM we will not prejudge how GOD will accomplish things around us. We will wait upon HIM and be obedient to our part in HIS plan.

Now we skip to the betrayal of JESUS.

Let’s read John 13:21, 26-27:

Judas’ Betrayal Predicted
21 When Jesus had said this, He was troubled in His spirit and testified, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me!” 22 The disciples started looking at one another—uncertain which one He was speaking about. 23 One of His disciples, the one Jesus loved,[9] Jn 19:26; 20:2; 21:7,20 was reclining close beside Jesus.[10] Lit reclining at Jesus’ breast; that is, on His right; Jn 1:18 24 Simon Peter motioned to him to find out who it was He was talking about. 25 So he leaned back against Jesus and asked Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus replied, “He’s the one I give the piece of bread to after I have dipped it.”[11] Ps 41:9 When He had dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son.[12] Other mss read Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son 27 After [Judas ate]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Therefore Jesus told him, “What you’re doing, do quickly.” 28 None of those reclining at the table knew why He told him this. 29 Since Judas kept the money-bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 After receiving the piece of bread, he went out immediately. And it was night.

JESUS was troubled in HIS Spirit. This is akin to HIM being angry in last week’s lesson. JESUS was concerned for the person who was going to betray HIM.

JESUS mentions what is about to happen to put Judas on alert that HE is aware of what he is going to do and giving him an opportunity to change his mind. The Apostle John was next to JESUS and the Apostle Peter was next to John. Peter hears what JESUS said about one of them betraying HIM. Peter wants to know who it is and asks John to ask JESUS. So he does.

JESUS is dipping bread into a bowl of gravy or sop. JESUS hands it to Judas. This should have identified Judas as the culprit. But the handing of the bread to a person also had another meaning. When a host handed the bread to a person it was a sign of friendship, acceptance and honor.

Judas clearly got the message but the others missed the message. Judas was the treasurer and they thought JESUS had asked him go do something. We learn that Judas was a thief.

Many speculate as to why Judas betrayed JESUS. Some think he was ambitious and power hungry. He knew JESUS had extraordinary power and he wanted HIM to establish an earthly kingdom because he wanted to be part of the ruling body. We do not know for sure but it is clear JESUS appealed to him and gave him ample opportunity to change his mind. But the scripture is clear that once Judas left, he made up his mind to do the deed.

Life is all about making decisions. GOD gives each of us the freedom to make decisions. We are accountable for the decisions we make both good and bad.

If you read the full account of the events to unfold in the remaining scripture we learn the following:

Peter denied JESUS three (3) times and realized his sin, wept, repented and was forgiven. Peter went on to faithfully serve our LORD.

Judas realized he had made the wrong decision and hanged himself.

Grace was available to both. Peter sought and received grace but Judas took matters into his own hands and killed himself.

It is important that every one of us realize no matter what we have done, GOD will forgive each of us and welcome us into HIS family. If we have strayed, HE is there to welcome us back into fellowship with HIM. Our part is to confess our sin and it HIS part to forgive and to restore.

Now we fast forward to the crucifixion.

Let’s read John 19:16b-19, 31-37:
The Crucifixion
Therefore they took Jesus away.[7] Other mss add and led Him out 17 Carrying His own cross, He went out to what is called Skull Place, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified Him and two others with Him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. 19 • Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was:

JESUS THE NAZARENE THE KING OF THE JEWS

Jesus’ Side Pierced
31 Since it was the preparation day,[12] Jn 19:14 the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special[13] Lit great day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that [their bodies]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. be taken away.[14] Dt 21:22–23 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with Him. 33 When they came to Jesus, they did not break His legs since they saw that He was already dead. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35 He who saw this has testified[15] Jn 1:14–15,34 so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth.[16] Jn 21:24 36 For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled:[17] Jn 13:18; 17:12; 19:24 Not one of His bones will be broken.[18] Ex 12:46; Nm 9:12; Ps 34:20 37 Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the One they pierced.[19] Zch 12:10

JESUS is beaten and crucified. Crucifixion is a very cruel way to kill a person. The Romans adopted crucifixion from the Greeks, who in turn adopted it from the Medes and the Persians. The Romans wanted a method of punishment, which was cruel to deter crime. They wanted it to be public and wanted all on lookers to see how cruel it was. They would allow a body to hang for days to rot on the cross. The Jewish historian, Josephus, called crucifixion the “most wretched of deaths.” The person crucified usually died of dehydration, suffocation and heart failure.

The person being crucified would raise himself or herself up on the cross to breath. If the executioners wanted the person being crucified to die quicker they would break their legs to prevent them from pushing themselves up to breath.

JESUS willingly gave HIS life for each human on the cruel cross that all who believe in HIM might have forgiveness of sin and receive the gift of eternal life.

Notice they did not break the legs of JESUS but they did pierce HIS side to make sure HE was dead. The following prophecy captures the crucifixion of the Messiah.

Zechariah 12:10:

10 “Then I will pour out a spirit[4] Or out the Spirit [5] Zch 4:6; Ezk 39:29; Jl 2:28–29 of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at[6] Or to Me whom they pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly for Him as one weeps for a firstborn.[7] Jn 19:37; Rv 1:7

Zechariah 13:1: (The purpose of the death of the Messiah.)
1 “On that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the residents of Jerusalem, [to wash away]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. sin and impurity.[1] Zch 3:1–10

Exodus 12:46:
46 It is to be eaten in one house. You may not take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of its bones.[10] Nm 9:12; Ps 34:20; Jn 19:33,36

This is a foreshadow of the coming of the Messiah WHO would take away the sins of all who believe upon HIM.

Numbers 9:12:
12 they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones.[7] Ex 12:10,46; Jn 19:36 They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes.

Psalm 34:20:
20 He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken.[8] Jn 19:36

JESUS paid the ultimate price to redeem each of us from sin and death. HE redeemed us from the enemy, which is impossible for us, mere humans to conquer through our worn effort, ability or power.

May our LORD prepare each heart this Easter for us who already know HIM and those who do not know HIM to see HIM as we have never seen HIM before – our SAVIOR and our LORD. For HE has risen!!!! Rejoice because HE did it for you and for me!!!