One of the things that I absolutely love about John is the way that he adds commentary notes to his historical description of what was taking place. He's in top form in John 12. Here's a couple that stood out to me:
  • verses 4-6 "But one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 'Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.' (then John's comment) He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a theif; as the keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." ~ John regularly forces me to evaluate my own personal motivations for my actions. Why do I do what I do. Is it for my own benefit or for the benefit of others. Do I want to reach people and see their lives transformed to bring glory to God or to bring glory to myself? I believe I have the right motivations...It's all about Jesus...It's all for Jesus...Everything...Every message...Every conversation...Everything...All for Jesus! Some would have said it was an extravagant waste to poor out a highly valued perfume onto the feet of Jesus...I say it was a marvelous act of worship and praise! That's what I want for my life...a marvelous extravagant act of praise and worship to Jesus for what he has done in my life!
  • verses 42-43 "Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; because they loved the praise from men more than praise from God." Okay, so talk about convicting stuff...here's the same theme repeated again...do I want to be honored by others or by God. Do I want to be recognized as a great teacher, preacher, leader, whatever...or do I want to be recognized by God as someone who did whatever God told him to do? This is a great verse to personalize: "for (Dale) loved the praise from men, more than the praise from God..." Frightening words...Haunting words...Humbling words...
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