The King Worthy of Our Worship

July 26th, 2026 - John 12:1-19

Sermon - Pastor Scott Thompson

John 12 marks the beginning of the final week before Christ's crucifixion. Every event points us toward the cross, revealing who Jesus is and why He came. In these verses we see two very different responses to Christ. Some worship Him with humble devotion, while others reject Him despite the overwhelming evidence before their eyes.

The chapter opens in Bethany, where Jesus is dining with Lazarus, the man He had recently raised from the dead (John 11). Martha serves, Lazarus reclines at the table with Jesus, and Mary performs an extraordinary act of worship. She takes a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, anoints the feet of Jesus, and wipes them with her hair. John tells us that "the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume" (John 12:3, ESV).

Mary's act was one of sacrificial love. The perfume was worth about three hundred denarii, nearly a year's wages for the average laborer. She gave what was precious because she recognized that Jesus was infinitely more valuable. Her worship was costly, humble, and centered entirely on Christ.

Judas Iscariot quickly criticized her, pretending to care for the poor while secretly caring only for himself. John reveals that Judas was a thief who regularly stole from the money bag. Jesus defended Mary, explaining that her act pointed forward to His burial. Though the disciples did not yet fully understand, Jesus knew exactly where He was headed. Every step was leading Him toward the cross, where He would willingly lay down His life for His people.

The raising of Lazarus had become impossible for the religious leaders to ignore. Large crowds came not only to see Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whose very presence testified to Christ's authority over death. Rather than believing, the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus as well because many were believing in Jesus on account of him. Their hardened hearts demonstrate that unbelief is not caused by a lack of evidence but by a love of darkness rather than light.

The next day Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a young donkey while the crowds welcomed Him with palm branches, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" (John 12:13, ESV). This fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, revealing Jesus as Israel's promised King.

Yet His entrance was unlike that of earthly rulers. Kings often entered cities on powerful war horses to celebrate military victories. Jesus entered on a donkey, symbolizing humility and peace. He came not to conquer Rome but to conquer sin and death through His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection.

Many in the crowd hoped for a political deliverer who would free them from Roman oppression. Jesus came to accomplish something far greater. He came to reconcile sinners to a holy God. The same crowds that shouted "Hosanna" would soon see many turn away as Jesus refused to become the kind of king they desired. He came to fulfill the Father's will, not the expectations of sinful men.

John reminds us that even the disciples did not fully understand these events until after Jesus was glorified. Looking back after the resurrection, they saw how perfectly God had fulfilled His Word.

John 12:1-19 calls each of us to examine our own hearts. Are we like Mary, gladly giving Christ our very best because He is worthy? Or are we like Judas and the religious leaders, allowing selfish ambition and unbelief to blind us to the glory of Christ?

Jesus is the promised King, the spotless Lamb, and the only Savior. He alone is worthy of our worship, our obedience, and our complete devotion.

We always encourage everyone to check everything through the lens of the Scriptures. Be like the noble Bereans of Paul's day, searching the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so. Please visit us at here for much more, and remember, Christ is enough.

With that said beloved, let us daily submit to our Lord, for He alone is worthy of all worship and He alone redeemed us.  Until we meet again lets go serve our King!

FRF Family