John 12 - Praying God's Word

Please read John 12.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/jhn/12/1/s_1009001

Meditate on verse 43.

For they loved the approval of men

rather than the approval of God.

John 12 contains familiar stories leading up to the crucifixion. The chapter opens with Mary lavishing love on her Savior by anointing His feet with what was probably her most costly possession. Then, in front of many dinner guests, she unashamedly wipes His feet with her hair. There was no doubt about Mary’s allegiance and devotion to her LORD.

The chapter ends with Jewish rulers doing the exact opposite of Mary. They believed in Jesus, yet they refused to confess their belief because they did not want to be kicked out of the synagogue and excluded from Jewish assemblies. They were more afraid of what people thought about them than what God thought about them.

With whom do you relate from John 12? Do your words and actions make it obvious you are devoted to the LORD Jesus Christ, or do they prove that you really care more about the things of the world than the things of God?

In humility, confess and repent of areas in your life where you love man’s approval more than the approval of God. Ask Him to help you make the same confession Jesus made in John 12:49-50.

“LORD, I do not want to speak on my own initiative.

Father, send me and give me a commandment

 as to what to say and what to speak.

I know that Your commandment is eternal life;

 therefore, the things I speak, I speak just as You have told me.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”