1. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN III. The Opposition to the Son of God (5:1–12:50) A. At The Feast In Jerusalem (Jn 5:1-47) B.During The Passover (Jn 6:1-71) C. During The Feast Of Tabernacles (Jn 7:1 – 10:21) D. During The Feast Of DedicationD. During The Feast Of Dedication (Jn 10:22-42)(Jn 10:22-42) E. Because Of The Death And Resurrection Of Lazarus (Jn 11:1-57)

2. F. Because Of The Triumphal EntryF. Because Of The Triumphal Entry (Jn 12:1-50)(Jn 12:1-50) 1. The Thanksgiving Dinner (12:1-11)1. The Thanksgiving Dinner (12:1-11) 2. The Triumphal Entry (12:12-19)2. The Triumphal Entry (12:12-19) a. The People Worship (vv. 12-13)a. The People Worship (vv. 12-13) b. The Lord Returns (vv. 14-15)b. The Lord Returns (vv. 14-15)  Read Jn 12: 14-15.  Here the story, as John tells it, leaves the multitude, and turns to Jesus, coming from Bethany. ~ Zech 9:9~ Zech 9:9

3.  Indeed, their King came to them – but not the kind of king they had expected. ~ In this coming, Israel’s King would be a humble servant, not a conqueror. ~ In this coming, Israel’s King would be a humble servant, not a conqueror. ~ He would not be exalted to a throne, but lifted up on a cross.  The opening words, “Fear not,” replace “Rejoice greatly”. ~ When one rejoices greatly, he will usually also, in the course of time, stop being afraid.

4.  “Daughter of Zion” (from Zech 9:9) is a common way of referring to the people of Jerusalem.  Like many New Testament quotations from the Old, however, the entire Old Testament context must be borne in mind if the full force of the words is to be recognized. ~ Zech 9:10-11~ Zech 9:10-11

5.  Three points stand out: 1) The coming of the gentle king is associated with the cessation of war. 2) The coming of the gentle king is associated with the proclamation of peace to the nations, extending His reign to the ends of the earth. 3) The coming of the gentle king is associated with the blood of God’s covenant that spells release for prisoners.

6.  So Jesus comes as the Prince of Peace, not as a warlord. ~ Therefore, the daughter of Zion should stop being afraid. ~ This King is meek, peaceful, gentle.~ This King is meek, peaceful, gentle. ~ He comes to bring salvation.~ He comes to bring salvation. c. The Disciples Remember (v. 16)c. The Disciples Remember (v. 16)  Read Jn 12:16a. ~ Cf. Lk 24:25~ Cf. Lk 24:25

7.  Just as the seed does not germinate as soon as it is thrown onto the earth, so the fruit of God’s deeds do not appear immediately. ~ The apostles are God’s servants in fulfilling the prophecy; but they do not understand what they are doing.  Read Jn 12:16b. ~ Cf. Jn 2:22~ Cf. Jn 2:22

8.  When Jesus was glorified by means of His cross and resurrection, and had sent forth His Spirit (16:12, 13), all this became clear to them. ~ The Holy Spirit would open their eyes to the meaning of the Old Testament Scriptures and remind them of this and other messianic predictions (Jn 14:26).

9.  Stop and think about the events in your life that God has used to lead you to this point. ~ As you grow older, you will look back and see God’s involvement more clearly than you do now.  The “disciples did not understand at the first” because they did not have the Scriptures as their guide to direct their minds to right thinking and understanding.

10. ~ We are blind unless God’s Word leads the way. ~ Nor is it even enough that the Word of God should shine on us, unless the Holy Spirit enlightens our eyes, which would otherwise be blind even to the brightest truths. ~ From this example we learn to make our judgments about everything that relates to Christ not through our own unspiritual feelings, but from the Scriptures.

11. ~ John Calvin: “It is a special grace of the Spirit to educate us gradually out of our dullness in considering God’s works.”