In our John 12 Daily Devotional, we witness Jesus making His significant journey to Jerusalem, an event commemorated as Palm Sunday. As He enters the city, aware of the impending sacrifice, Jesus exemplifies unwavering dedication to His mission. This pivotal moment prompts us to reflect on our own lives and purpose. Are we, like Jesus, attuned to our divine calling? To read about Jesus’ greatest assurance, read the Daily Devotional on John 11.
What Does John 12 Say About Our Purpose in Life?
One insight from John 12, Jesus being anointed for burial and His resolute march towards His destiny, emphasizing the necessity of sacrifice to bear fruit. A second insight is that Jesus understood of His purpose and challenge us to find and live out our own. And a third insight, Jesus had a steadfast commitment to His mission, serving as a model for our lives. These insights underscore the importance of discovering and adhering to our God-given purpose.
John 8:12
John 12 not only recounts historical events but also offers timeless lessons on purpose and perseverance. Jesus’ actions and teachings during His final days on Earth reveal the essence of living a purposeful life. His willingness to face hardship for the greater good encourages us to contemplate our own lives. Are we living for the glory of God, or are we swayed by worldly accolades? As we delve into this chapter, let us seek clarity on our purpose and the strength to pursue it, inspired by Jesus’ example of devotion and sacrifice.
John 12 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In John 12, Jesus heads for Jerusalem. As He gets there and He enters, we know it as Palm Sunday. He goes, knowing His purpose. Do you know your purpose? Please read or listen to John
John 12 | What is My Purpose
In 1990, I split John 12 (NASB) into two days of reading. The first day I read verses 1-26, and wrote, “Jesus anointed for burial. Heads into the Holy City for Passover.” Referring to verse 24, I wrote, “Must die to bear fruit. Follow Jesus. Lose life to serve Christ.” The next day, I read verses 27 through the end. Concerning verse 27, I wrote, “Jesus came for a purpose. It wasn’t fun, prosperous, or enjoyable to go to the cross, but that was His purpose. What is my purpose? Will I say to the Father, ‘save me from this hour’? (v. 27) or will I do the Father’s will?” Then referring to verse 31, I wrote, “Ruler of this world is cast out. Verse 38, still true today, ‘who has believed?’” And finally, “Verse 43, forgive us, O God.”
In 2005, concerning this chapter, I wrote, “Lazarus was a walking witness of the power of Jesus, so the Pharisees wanted to put him to death. Doesn’t make sense. Jesus understood purpose. He was born and lived for purpose,” referring to verse 27. “He is our model, so it is the same for us. God created me for a purpose. I want to live for that purpose. To me, finding it, discovering it, and living it is success. I think I’m there with Gideons twenty-five years, and Ezra, nearly three years now.”
In 2018, after reading John 12, I wrote, “Judas Iscariot was a questionable character before he betrayed Jesus. John knew he was a thief, according to verse 6. There will always be poor people among us, according to verse 8. Lazarus draws a dinner crowd. Dead man walking. And the chief priests wanted to put Lazarus to death simply because he was raised from the dead. Hello?!?” Then I wrote, “Palm Sunday makes more sense here, as these were the ones that had seen Him raise Lazarus from the dead.” Then I quoted verse 21, “’Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Wish it was so today.” I finished with, “I have given my life and service to Jesus: thirty-eight years, a Gideon, sixteen and a half years of the Ezra Project.” I went on to write, “Jesus knew His purpose, referring to verse 27. Walk in the light of Jesus, verses 35-36. Though He had done so many signs, miracles, many still did not believe. It is the same today. We prefer the glory of man vs. the glory of God. Jesus did not come to judge, but to save the world. The word judges, referring to verse 48.”
What Does John 12:13 Say About Palm Sunday?
John 12 is a continuation of John 11 when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus was from Bethany. There in Bethany, they were having a dinner party for Jesus, but Lazarus was the big draw. “When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead” (v. 9). It is unimaginable the chief priests want to kill Lazarus because people believed in Jesus. They see a man raised from the dead and they want to kill him! From Bethany, Jesus enters Jerusalem, just like the Scriptures said, “behold, your king is coming sitting on a donkey’s colt” (v. 15).
Let’s finish this chapter with a couple of key statements. Jesus speaking, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (v. 24). Jesus is on His way to do just that.
John 12:25
Verse 25, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Are you clinging to your life? Or are you willing to give up your life for His purpose for your life? Speaking of purpose, Jesus knew His, “But for this purpose I have come to this hour” (v. 27). Do you know your purpose? Are you living your life according to His purpose for you? Again, Jesus knew His purpose. Do you?
John 12:43
Verse 43, “for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” How about you? Do you love the glory of men? Are you seeking the glory of God? How are you living your life? How are you fulfilling the purpose He has for you?
John 12:48
Lastly, verse 48, “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” Earlier in the Book of John, we talked about whether Jesus came to judge the world or not. Here, He reminds us once again in verse 47, “I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” How are we judged? We are judged according to the Word, “the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” (v. 48).
Through the Gospel of John, we are understanding His Word. We see the clarity of God’s Word. What we are reading and understanding in the Word of God is what will judge us in the last day. Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, You entered Jerusalem. You are there to fulfill your purpose. Your purpose was not to come and judge the world but to save it by Your death, burial, and resurrection. Your triumphant entry into the city, known as Palm Sunday, is the beginning of what is labeled Passion Week. The drama will unfold as we continue to read the Gospel of John.
Reveal Your Purpose for Us
As we do, Lord, reveal Your purpose for us. We are just not aimlessly sojourning on the earth. You called each of us to do something for You to build Your kingdom here on earth. Reveal purpose to us and then give us the courage to pursue it. We ask it, in the name of Jesus, the name above all names. Amen.
