The Gospel of John: John 12.27-36

Read and meditate on John 12.32, 33.
We get another glimpse into the mindset Jesus maintained as He prepared for His suffering.

³²“And I, if I am lifted up, will draw
all things unto Myself.” ³³Because He saw
the death that He would suffer, He said this.

- John 12.32, 33

Reflect
1.  From Jesus’ statement, and John’s comment on the statement, it’s clear Jesus was seeing two things at once. Explain. Complete the following prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes all I can see is what’s immediately in front of me, and that’s not always very encouraging. Help me to…

2.  What happens in the life of one who is drawn to Jesus? What happens in his outlook on life? His aspirations? His priorities? What happens with his possessions? His time? What did Jesus see as He envisioned all things being drawn to Him? Look at my life, Lord. How much of the all things of my life are…

3.  In John’s gospel, multitudes welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem, but they all abandoned Him. In the book of Acts, multitudes came to Jesus, and stuck with Him, drawing even more people to Jesus, despite threats and persecution. What is it about Jesus’ being lifted up that makes Him such a powerful “draw” for people? Lord, I think of the unbelievers I know, and I want them to be drawn to You. Help me…

4.  Meditate on Hebrews 12.1, 2. Jesus endured the cross, despising the suffering and shame of it, because He saw the joy that was set before Him. Of what did that joy consist? What should we learn from Jesus about facing trials, threats, and fears? What joy do you concentrate on when you need to persevere through a difficulty or trial? Increase my joy, Lord, by…

5.  It’s clear that what Jesus saw beyond His suffering enabled Him to endure that suffering. What you see, how far you see, and what you believe as you see, will in large part determine how you live. How can Christians improve the quality of what we see (cf. Heb. 11.1)? Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“He took up humanity into himself, the invisible becoming visible, the incomprehensible being made comprehensible, the impassible becoming capable of suffering and the Word being made human, thus summing up all things in himself: so that as in supercelestial, spiritual and invisible things, the Word of God is supreme, so also in things visible and corporeal he might possess the supremacy, and, taking to himself the preeminence, as well as constituting himself head of the church, he might draw all things to himself at the proper time.” Irenaeus of Lyons (135-202 AD)

Do you think that, if we could see Jesus more completely and more consistently, we would devote more of the all things of our lives to Him and His glory? Explain.

Closing Prayer
What shall I render to the LORD
For all His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD
Is the death of His saints.
O LORD, truly I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people,
In the courts of the LORD’s house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!

Psalm 116.12-19

Psalm 116.7-19 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above)
Full well the Lord has dealt with me; my soul from death He delivered.
My weeping eyes, my stumbling feet, He has redeemed forever.
Forever I before His face shall walk with those who know His grace,
And dwell with them forever.

Afflicted, I believe His Word, though lying men would undo me.
What shall I render to the Lord for all His blessings to me?
Salvation’s cup I lift above and call upon the God of love
And pay my vows most truly.

How sweet to Him when saints depart – save me, Your servant, Savior!
From sin You loosed my wand’ring heart; I praise Your Name forever!
On You I call, my vows to pay; here in Your presence I would stay
Your praise to offer ever.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.