Teen Life Application Study Bible - Gospel of John - Flipbook - Page 22
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10
Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11for it was because of him that many
of the people had deserted them* and believed
in Jesus.
JESUS’ TRIUMPHANT ENTRY 12The next day,
the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd
of Passover visitors 13took palm branches
and went down the road to meet him. They
shouted,
“Praise God!*
Blessings on the one who comes in the
name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!”*
14
Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it,
fulfilling the prophecy that said:
15
“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem.*
Look, your King is coming,
riding on a donkey’s colt.”*
16
His disciples didn’t understand at the time
that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But
after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that
these things had been written about him.
17
Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call
Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the
dead, and they were telling others* about it.
18
That was the reason so many went out to
meet him—because they had heard about this
miraculous sign. 19Then the Pharisees said to
each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look,
everyone* has gone after him!”
JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH 20Some Greeks
who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover
celebration 21paid a visit to Philip, who was
from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we
want to meet Jesus.” 22Philip told Andrew about
it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
23
Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for
the Son of Man* to enter into his glory. 24I tell
you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is
planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone.
But its death will produce many new kernels—a
plentiful harvest of new lives. 25Those who love
their life in this world will lose it. Those who
care nothing for their life in this world will keep
it for eternity. 26Anyone who wants to be my
disciple must follow me, because my servants
12:11 Or had deserted their traditions; Greek reads had deserted.
12:13a Greek Hosanna, an exclamation of praise adapted from a
Hebrew expression that means “save now.” 12:13b Ps 118:25-26;
Zeph 3:15. 12:15a Greek daughter of Zion. 12:15b Zech 9:9.
12:17 Greek were testifying. 12:19 Greek the world. 12:23 “Son
of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. 12:34 Greek from the law.
JOHN 12
must be where I am. And the Father will honor
anyone who serves me.
27
“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I
pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this
is the very reason I came! 28Father, bring glory
to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I
have already brought glory to my name, and
I will do so again.” 29When the crowd heard
the voice, some thought it was thunder, while
others declared an angel had spoken to him.
30
Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for
your benefit, not mine. 31The time for judging
this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of
this world, will be cast out. 32And when I am
lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to
myself.” 33He said this to indicate how he was
going to die.
34
The crowd responded, “We understood
from Scripture* that the Messiah would live
forever. How can you say the Son of Man will
die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”
35
Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you
just a little longer. Walk in the light while
you can, so the darkness will not overtake
you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot
see where they are going. 36Put your trust in the
light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”
After saying these things, Jesus went away
and was hidden from them.
THE UNBELIEF OF THE PEOPLE 37But despite
all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most
of the people still did not believe in him.
LOOK BACK
(12:12-16) Although they traveled with Jesus for three
years, the disciples didn’t always understand him. After
the Resurrection, Jesus’ words and actions made more
sense to the disciples. For example, they later understood
how Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey’s
colt was one of the ways he fulfilled Scripture (see Zech
9:9).
Reflect on the events of your life up to now. How has
God led you to this point? As you grow older, you probably will look back and see God’s involvement even more
clearly than you do today.
REACH OUT
(12:37-38) Although Jesus had performed many
miracles, most people still didn’t believe in him. Likewise,
many today refuse to believe despite all that God does.
Have you ever felt discouraged because a friend refused
to believe, even when you’ve shared your faith with him
or her? You aren’t responsible for your friend’s lack of
faith. After all, you can’t make a person believe. Even God
doesn’t force faith on people. All you can do is reach out
in faith and pray that God will reveal himself in a way that
leads to belief. Salvation is God’s work, not yours.
