John 12:12-29

Theme

What kind of king?

Questions
  • When you see/hear the word “Hosanna!” what does it mean to you?
  • Look at Psalm 118:25, this is the only place the word Hosanna appears in the Old Testament (translated as Lord, save us)
    • Why do you think the people cried out Hosanna as Jesus came into Jerusalem? What were their hopes for him?
    • Read Psalm 118:25-27. How do these words reflect the words of the people as Jesus came into Jerusalem?
  • Jesus was hailed as a king (v.13), now look at John 18:33-40, and John 19:12-16 – why do you think the people no longer recognised Jesus as king?
  • What do you think it means to call Jesus ‘king’ in your life?
  • Why does John record the story of the Greeks asking to meet Jesus (v.20-22) – think back to John 4:42?
  • What do you think the image of the grain of wheat mean in v.24?
  • Jesus’ response to the Greeks asking to see him (v.20-24) seems strange. How does John 12:32-33, and John 14:19-21 help us understand what Jesus is saying?
  • Look at v.25
    • If Jesus promised his followers ‘life in all its fullness’ in John 10:10, why is he now speaking about hating life? What do you think he means?
    • In what ways can you live as someone who ‘hates their life’ – is it about attitudes, is it about actions, or something else?
  • What does v.26 teach about serving God?
  • The words glory and glorified come up quite a few times in this passage.
    • Is glory the same as fame? How would you define glory – is there a difference between God’s glory in and of himself, and God’s glory reflected in his people?
    • What does v.23-26 tell you about the way in which Jesus will be glorified?
    • Look at Jesus’ prayer for his followers in John 17:20-24 – in what ways is God’s glory seen in his people (compare with his words in John 15:12-17)?

  • Sometimes Jesus’ facing the cross is presented as a task he accepts without question. Does it bother you that Jesus says he is troubled (v.27)? Compare this verse with the other gospel accounts which record this kind of personal conflict in the Garden of Gethsemane (for example Mark 14:33-36 and Luke 22:41-44).

  • In reading this passage, what have you found the most surprising or challenging?