WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF JOHN’S GOSPEL: THE TRUTH LESSON 16
- Decide what you’ll spend your time, energy, and passion on
- You follow God’s will, not your own
- Jesus is always with us
- Jesus’ sacrifice saved us all
Category: BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024
Welcome to AtoZMom’s BSF Blog! Learn about the apostle John as we study BSF International, or Bible Study Fellowship (BSF)’s study of the book of John called “BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth.” See Jesus through John’s eyes and grow in your relationship with him in this rewarding bible study. See all of the 12 Apostles learn from Jesus as they walk with him to the cross and to our eternal salvation.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 5: John 12:37-50
SUMMARY OF JOHN 12:37-50
Many still did not believe in Jesus. This was because God had blinded them and hardened their hearts.
Many leaders believed but were afraid to say so for fear they would be excommunicated from the church.
Whoever believes in Jesus also believes in God. When they look at him, they see God. Jesus is light, so no one has to live in darkness.
Those who do not believe him will be condemned. Whatever Jesus says was commanded by God.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 5: John 12:37-50
15a) They rejected him.
b) That many would not believe because they had been blinded and their hearts had been hardened.
16a) They were afraid they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
b) I don’t really wrestle with this fear. It’s not quite the same now as then. The Holy Spirit does give us strength to speak the truth of the Lord.
17) I love how when you see Jesus, you are seeing God. What a powerful reminder that they are one and the same. I love how Jesus brings light, too.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 5: John 12:37-50
Great speech by Jesus. Life with Jesus is so much better than life without.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 5: John 12:37-50
People believe because God has revealed Himself to them. Jesus revealed himself to the people via his signs.
God does not cause people to not believe. He only strengthens that decision as judgment against them. They choose evil first.
This is the last speech Jesus makes to the people. He challenges them to believe and warns them what unbelief will mean.
Jesus emphasizes how he does and says everything according to God’s will.
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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 4: John 12:23-36
SUMMARY OF JOHN 12:23-36
Jesus’ hour has come to die for us. A voice from heaven spoke and said: “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again”, that is, God’s name.
Jesus will draw people to him when he is lifted up. He said that they must believe in him so that they may become children of light.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 4: John 12:23-36
10) His time to die on the cross
11) If Jesus did not sacrifice himself on the cross, he would not save countless others. A kernel of wheat grows to reproduce and then they reproduce, yielding infinite others. A seed must die to become a plant. Jesus’ death and burial are necessary for us to have life.
12a) When you lose your life or die to self, you’ll work for God and help countless others come to Him.
b) They want to live for eternal life and be with God and Jesus. Here, on earth, we are always separated. Our home is in heaven.
c) To deny myself with my time and give more of it to others.
13) Once Jesus dies, all will be able to be with God and have eternal life.
14) We walk in God’s path for our lives, doing His will and not our own.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 4: John 12:23-36
I can see how many would be confused by Jesus’ words. Hindsight is a gift, and we are lucky to be able to read this and understand what Jesus meant at the time.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 4: John 12:23-36
We do all things as a follower of Jesus.
Those who follow Jesus want to be where he is. When you serve Jesus, God will honor you.
Jesus is troubled because of the horrors of crucifixion. Jesus’ main concern though was to glorify God.
Fun Fact: This is the third affirmation from God that Jesus is His Son. The others are at his baptism and the transfiguration.
God affirms He will glorify Himself at the cross.
Satan would be cast out from this world with Christ’s crucifixion.
Jesus would be exalted and draw all people to him.
We must remember that people could not read and relied on the priests to teach them about the Bible. Therefore, they were not taught much about the suffering of Christ, only his triumph, which led to confusion.
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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 3: John 12:12-22
SUMMARY OF JOHN 12:12-22
Jesus enters Jerusalem as prophesied on the back of a donkey with the crowd waving palm branches. They shouted “Hosanna,” which means “Save.” Many came to greet him, especially those who were there when Lazarus was raised from the dead. This angered the Pharisees. Some Greeks wanted to see Jesus, too.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 3: John 12:12-22
7a) Zechariah 9:9 predicted the king would come lowly riding on a donkey. Psalm 118:25-26 has the people shouting the same words for Jesus: “Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.”
b) They expected Jesus to save them, but from their oppressors, the Romans, not spiritually.
c) I have full faith in God and Jesus and fulfilled prophecy only strengthens my faith. It also adds to my understanding of Scripture, God, and His ways, so I can draw nearer to Him.
8 ) the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead. Other people who had heard about Jesus’ raising of Lazarus. The Pharisees were there, too. The Greeks. The crowds probably wanted Jesus to save them. The Pharisees were plotting his death. The Greeks probably wanted to learn more about Jesus and from Jesus.
9) He’s the center and the leader. It’s all about him.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 3: John 12:12-22
Love this scene of our Lord and Savior and how humble he is. It’s about the message of the Gospel here.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 3: John 12:12-22
There are many Jews gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover, as well as their required sacrificial lambs. Many were from Galilee.
Palm branches symbolized the Jewish people. The people saw him as their national savior.
They wanted Jesus to save them (Hosanna).
A donkey was an animal of peace, not a war animal like a horse.
Jesus had become insanely popular after the raising of Lazarus. Many believed now he is the promised Messiah.
Philip’s name is Greek, so they came to him asking to see Jesus so that they could learn more about him. We do not know if these Greeks were converts or not. However, the Greeks represented the entire Gentile world.
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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 2: John 12:1-11
SUMMARY OF JOHN 12:1-11
Six days before Passover, Jesus was anointed by Mary in Bethany at dinner. She poured expensive perfume out to wash his feet. Judas objected, asking why the perfume was not sold and the money given to the poor. He wanted to take some of that money for himself.
Jesus said that this perfume was meant for him as he was going away. The Jews also wanted to kill Lazarus since many people believed in Jesus because of him.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 2: John 12:1-11
3a) Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.
b) She loved Jesus, believed in him, was devoted to him, and wanted to give him her best.
4a) Judas objected, asking why the perfume was not sold and the money given to the poor. He wanted to take some of that money for himself.
b) He was greedy and only saw the things of the earth. He did not believe in Jesus and did not care for him.
5) Jesus defended Mary’s action, saying “Leave her alone. It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
6) Good question. I feel as if not as much as Mary’s gift.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 2: John 12:1-11
I love this example of always giving your best to Jesus.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 16, Day 2: John 12:1-11
John 12 begins the last week of Jesus’ life.
Fun Fact: Almost half of John’s Gospel is devoted to Jesus’ last week. Matthew used more than one-third of his Gospel to cover that week, Mark nearly 40% and Luke over 25%. This should indicate it’s importance.
Bible scholars believe that this dinner was at the home of Simon the Leper (Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3). Martha, Lazarus, and Mary were also there.
Mary humbled herself her. Usually, slaves washed the feet of guests. She did this during supper and used her hair as a towel. She thought her gift was only worthy for Jesus’ feet. Jewish women rarely let their hair down in public.
Judas hid his heart from everyone except Jesus.
Fun Fact: This is the only place in the Bible outside of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus that he is mentioned for doing something evil. Judas was probably jealous of the gift and of the love Mary had for Jesus. John did not know at the time of this act that Judas was a thief.
Jesus chastises Judas for putting a price on Mary’s love and devotion to him. At the end of the day, it’s a funeral expense.
Lazarus must die because the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection.
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Friday Digest BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF JOHN’S GOSPEL: THE TRUTH LESSON 15
- We see God’s glory when we see His true nature
- Jesus is there in our deepest grief
- When you believe in Jesus, you gain eternal life
- God uses everyone to accomplish His purposes
- Jesus is moved by our sadness/grief
- God turns our grief into joy
TAKE AWAY: As we grow in Jesus, we live according to His will and ways.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 5: John 11:45-57
Summary of John 11:45-57
Many believed in Jesus after Lazarus’ resurrection, but many did not and told the Sanhedrin what had happened. They believed that the Romans would oppress them and take away their power/control of Israel if Jesus and his powers were to be believed. They said it was better for one man to die for the country than all of them, so they began to plot his death.
Jesus withdrew to Ephraim with his disciples to hide. Jesus did not go to immediately to Passover because orders had been given to arrest him on sight.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 5: John 11:45-57
12) Many believed in Jesus after Lazarus’ resurrection, but many did not and told the Sanhedrin what had happened.
13a) “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” They were afraid the whole nation would perish.
b) Their primary focus and motivation was to keep power for themselves. They believed the Romans would take away their autonomy, and they did not want that. We must always be aware of the motivation of our own decisions, as many times we make decisions out of fear or self-preservation.
14) It is ironic because that is exactly why Jesus came to earth — to die for us so that we may all live! Caiaphas is speaking of the nation of Israel, but Jesus saved all of us forever. God loves us!
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 5: John 11:45-57
I love how jealousy, fear, and the desire for power can be man’s main motivations, but in Jesus, it’s always love for us!
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 5: John 11:45-57
We know what happened when the Sanhedrin was called because someone who was there would later become a Christian (maybe even Joseph of Arimathea). They believed he was the Messiah, and now they were afraid they would lose power.
Ironic that it is just because the Pharisees did not let Christ alone that we believe and worship Him.
In fact, the Romans would sack Jerusalem and destroy the temple, but it had nothing to do with Jesus.
It’s never moral to kill an innocent man, even to save a country.
Now, the higher officials wanted Jesus dead.
Ephraim is north of Jerusalem. Jesus’ time had not yet come, so he retreated again until Passover.
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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 4: John 11:28-44
Summary of John 11:28-44
Mary met Jesus outside Bethany and told him that if he had been there, he would not have died. The mourners followed her, also weeping alongside her. Jesus wept.
He went to the tomb and told the people to pull away the stone. He then called Lazarus out, and he came out, alive and well.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 4: John 11:28-44
9a) Because he was sad that everyone around him was sad about Lazarus’ death.
b) It shows he is human and that he cares how we feel and how we are doing. It humanizes him essentially. It means that I can trust Jesus in all things, including my sorrows. That he hears me, sympathizes with me, and wants me to heal quickly. Jesus sees our tears. He is not indifferent to them.
c) Same as above. That he cares how I am doing and feeling and wants me to be/feel better. It shows he is sad, too.
10) Jesus and the Father are one, and he wants to make sure he is doing God’s will. It’s always important to pray before every decision for God’s will to be done.
11a) “Lazarus, come out!” “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
b) Very similar. Lazarus was granted time on this side of heaven; whereas, we’ll be granted time eternity on the other side of heaven. We are dead in sin, but alive in grace, mercy, and eternal life.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 4: John 11:28-44
This is perhaps Jesus’ greatest miracle and one of the best proofs he is who he says he is. Love also how Jesus weeps here like all of us do.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 4: John 11:28-44
This is the 7th sign/miracle that John records of Jesus’ power and authority.
Jesus is “The Teacher.” He teaches us every day in the way and the word.
Mary was probably called, so she could have some time alone with Jesus, too.
Both believed in Jesus enough to know he would have healed Lazarus, so he wouldn’t have died. But, they had no idea what was about to happen!
The weeping of the Jews would have been hysterical weeping, loud to where all could hear.
Jesus, on the other hand, was quietly weeping, as the verb in Greek indicates so.
Jesus was angry that sin caused (and still causes) such heartache in us (the penalty for our sins is death).
Jesus weeps out of his love for us. There is no shame or sin in tears.
“What if” talk leads to regret and should be avoided.
You see God’s glory when you believe. Otherwise, you just see the act.
The stench proved Lazarus’ death, which is why Jesus waited for four days.
Jesus prays and thanks God for the miracle he is about to perform to grow people’s faith and convert believers.
Others helped by removing the grave clothes. Jesus often asks others to participate in his miracles to give them a role and to grow their faith, too.
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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 3: John 11:17-27
SUMMARY of John 11:17-27
Jesus arrived in Bethany four days after Lazarus died. Martha met Jesus when she heard he was coming. Jesus pronounced another “I am” statement: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 3: John 11:17-27
7a) Martha goes from saying if Jesus would have been there, Lazarus would have survived to believing that he would live again through Jesus. She goes from the finality of death to the eternity of life.
b) Given me a great family, life, and home. It’s all because of him.
8a) Whoever believes in him will have eternal life.
b) I know I will live forever in God’s kingdom, which gets me through the dark days in life.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 3: John 11:17-27
I love how Jesus is always concerned for others.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 3: John 11:17-27
Jewish tradition said that the Jewish soul stayed near the grave for three days, which is why Jesus waited until the fourth day to raise Lazarus so that there would be no doubt it was a miracle from God.
Mary stayed behind out of grief.
Martha believed Jesus could only heal Lazarus, not raise him. Yet, she still trusted Jesus.
When you know Jesus, you have resurrection and life. Jesus tells Mary to trust she is the source of eternal life.
Bethany was only about 2 miles east of Jerusalem. Jesus was across the Jordan River, a bit away.
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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 2: John 11:1-16
SUMMARY OF JOHN 11:1-16
Jesus’ friend Lazarus was sick. Yet, Lazarus would not die for God’s glory.
Jesus went back to Judea, and his disciples protested, saying that was where the Jews wanted to stone him. Jesus said no one who walked with him would stumble.
Jesus said he needed to go back to resurrect Lazarus.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 2: John 11:1-16
3a) Lazarus was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
b) Jesus knew he would resurrect Lazarus as a miracle to glorify God.
c) The way you handle a crisis and your faith through it can honor God and bring him glory. He can also heal you miraculously.
4a) Their message shows they understood Jesus loved Lazarus and shows their faith that Jesus would know who they were talking about because Jesus knows all things. They also did not need to ask Jesus to heal Lazarus. They knew him well enough that if it was God’s will to heal Lazarus, he would.
b) So that there would be no doubt that his resurrection would be only by the power of God. Jesus also knew the resurrection would be the final straw that would force his enemies’ hands against him.
c) Schools for kids. That my wish was not God’s wish or what he wanted for my children. I learned that all things work for God’s purpose and my and my family’s good.
5) Jesus still had work to do. They would be safe until it was time for Jesus’ death. When you walk with Jesus, there is no fear. It’s only when you don’t that you stumble. When I have faith that Jesus is with me, I won’t stumble, and I will choose His way.
6) No matter what they faced back in Judea, they would be faithfully by Jesus’ side. They were ready to die with Jesus.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 2: John 11:1-16
Great stuff here. I love this story of Lazarus and how Jesus uses events to glorify God. This shows that our lives can glorify Him, too.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 2: John 11:1-16
Raising Lazarus from the dead is the 7th sign of Jesus.
Another miracle calling us to believe in Jesus.
We see in John’s Gospel three occasions where Jesus is asked to do something:
- Turn wine to water (John 2:1-11)
- To perform miracles (John 7:1-10).
- To help Lazarus John 11:1-16
Jesus could have raised Lazarus without being present, but he goes to him.
Saying someone is asleep was common to say they were dead (Matthew 9:24) (Acts 7:60).
Jesus was glad because he knew he would raise him.
Thomas was called The Twin because he resembled Jesus. He had faith and would go with Jesus even if he died.
Jesus trusted God’s timing in everything. God’s purpose guided Jesus.
The disciples only wanted to be with Jesus.
Fun Fact: All Jews had a Hebrew and a Greek name due to the fact the Romans ruled Judea.
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