Jesus’ last days of teaching: Why so few really ‘got’ him. Can you?

—John 12 (Part 17)

  • Andrew Fountain – Feb 16, 2020

 
 
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John 11:55–12:50 Reception of Jesus and Final Public Words

Goal:

  • Let’s walk with Jesus through his last days of teaching.
  • How come so very few really ‘got’ him?
  • Does his final challenge connect with you?

Overview

  1. Introduction
  2. Seven challenges to believe Jesus
  3. My challenge and yours

John 1–12 “Book of Signs”

1 Prolog

Wedding Nicodemus Woman at well Child healed
5 Sabbath Healing: Take up your bed and walk
Teaching: the Son gives life
6 Feeds 5000, I am the Bread of life
7 I am the Living Water (after walks on water)
8 I am the Light of the World
9 Sabbath Healing: Man born blind
10 Teaching: I am the good Shepherd
11 Lazarus raised from the dead

12 Epilog

Spectrum of Belief

  • Mary
  • Disciples: did not understand
  • Crowds: want him to be their kind of king
  • Pharisees who wanted to kill him AND Lazarus
  • Judas (eye-witness to everything)

Why was Jesus’ ministry such a failure?

  • So few people!
  • Even his own disciples.
  • How can we explain this?
  • Apparently miracles don’t make people believe, (only the Spirit does)
  • But there is a real choice

from Isaiah 6:10

  1. He has blinded their eyes
    (by reluctanty accepting their decision)
    and hardened their heart,
    (by not over-riding their own choice to harden)
    so that they would not see with their eyes
    and understand with their heart,
    and turn to me, and I would heal them.”
  • (But my heart is breaking for them that they would hear my longing)

Spectrum of Belief

  • Those willing to die with Jesus
  • Mary
  • Disciples: did not understand
  • Rulers who “believe” but not comfortable with committing
  • Crowds: want him to be their kind of king
  • Pharisees who wanted to kill him AND Lazarus
  • Judas (eye-witness to everything)