The Gospel According to John
In the “
Part II – Chapters 11-21
These color codes apply:
Black—original Bible translation text by
Gerrit Verkuyl
Green—Dr. Verkuyl’s
own footnotes to the Bible text
Blue—exposition
remarks from Clif Moberg, course director
Certificates of Completion for Part I
and Part II will be issued to those who complete all questions in their
entirety giving evidence of having read the accompanying text with exposition
notes that are provided throughout.
The Berkeley Text is in the
boxes that have their chapter numbers in brackets at the top. Example: [12] signifies it is from the
twelfth chapter of the Gospel. See the map
of the
All these Events Occur During
February, March and April of 30 A.D.
[11]
Chapter Eleven
A
man by the name of Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister
Martha, was ill.—2The Mary whose brother Lazarus was ill, was the
one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped His feet with her hair.—3So
the sisters sent Him a message: “Lord,
mind that the one you love is ill.” 4Hearing
it, Jesus said, “This illness is not to culminate in death; but it is for the
glory of God, so that through it the Son of God may be glorified.”
5Now
Jesus was a dear friend to Martha and her sister and Lazarus; 6so
when He heard that he was ill, He stayed at the place where He was two more
days 7and, with those ended, He said to the disciples, “Let us go
back into Judea.” 8The
disciples told Him, “Rabbi, as it is, the Jews want to stone you, and you go
back there?” 9Jesus replied,
“Are there not twelve hours in the day?
If one walks about during the day he does not stumble, for he sees the
world’s light; 10but if he walks about during the night, he stumbles
because in him there is no light.” *
11He
said this to them and then added, “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am
setting out to wake him up.” 12The
disciples remarked to Him, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will recover”; 13but
Jesus had spoken of his death. As they
supposed He spoke about the repose of sleep, 14Jesus then told them
plainly: “Lazarus is dead, 15and
for your sakes I am glad I was not present, so that you may believe. However, let us go to him.”
16Thomas—called
the Twin—then said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go, too, so that we may die
with him.”
17When
Jesus arrived, He found that he had already been buried for four days. 18Now Bethany is near Jerusalem,
about two miles distance; 19so, many of the Jews had gone in with
Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. 20As soon then as Martha learned
that Jesus had come, she went to meet Him; but Mary was sitting in the house.
* How perfectly natural it was for Jesus to
suggest spiritual principles by comparing with
physical facts!
Chapter Eleven
A man by
the name of Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha, was
ill.—2The Mary whose brother Lazarus was ill, was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume
and wiped His feet with her hair (a future event).—3So the sisters sent Him
a message: “Lord, mind that the one you love is ill (Jesus has remained in a remote area for his safety’s sake. Although this desperate message seeks to
obligate Jesus because of “love”, a return to
I. Glory makes its way
to the Father from Jesus’ earthly accomplishment. He is completing the goals of: 1]
wresting world rule from satan—I John 3:8, Hebrews
Consider Jesus’ “Son of Man”
designation. This is deserved from his perfectly-lived
life as witnessed or viewed by believers and non-believers. Prior to his public phase, Jesus was in all
ways God-fearing and a person of prayer.
Without aid from miracles or apparent special powers, he worked at a job
and was a student of God’s word. Later, upon
return from his wilderness fasting and temptation, Jesus is Son of Man
fulltime. As well, he is the sacrificial
Lamb of God, as John the Baptist points out—John 1:36. Jesus explains he is saying what he hears from the Father—John
14:10, John 14:24; and doing that which he
sees the Father do—John 5:19.
Likewise, such command in life gets directed to us, the believers: “If anyone loves Me, he will observe My message [hear my words and do
them]; and My Father will love him [a
promise] and We will visit him and make Our dwelling with him—Psalm 22:3 and
John
II. Jesus is the “Prince
of Life,” and illness there in Peter’s [Acts 3:9-10, 13] hands is glorying to
God as Peter calls them all to repentance
[3:19] when the times of refreshing
[blessing] shall come from the presence of the Lord... [
III. This [John, Chapter
11] event of resurrection that surrounds Lazarus’ return from the dead brings
praises both at Lazarus’ tomb and shortly thereafter during the “triumphal
entry” Jesus has into
5Now
Jesus was a dear friend to Martha and her sister and Lazarus; 6so
when He heard that he was ill, He stayed at the place where He was two more
days 7and, with those ended, He said to the disciples, “Let us go
back into Judea.” 8The
disciples told Him, “Rabbi, as it is, the Jews want to stone you, and you go back there (in
both John
11He
said this to them and then added, “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am setting out to wake him up (Jesus reminds them of their many believers beyond the
confines of this group. They
misunderstand the “death” metaphor and are thinking “coma.” Even today there is the expression of someone
dying “falling asleep in the Lord.” However, new resurrection revelation is
being presented with the events. Jesus’ comments
to Martha—in upcoming verses 23-27—are of great importance. Previous miracle-worked resurrections—Luke
16Thomas—called
the Twin (during the three years of Jesus’ ministry, Thomas continues
to be called this way. When brothers
James and John, and Andrew with Peter come along, why do you suppose it remains
just Thomas? Is his twin of the “fraternal” variety—a
sister? Yet, if not, likelihood is that
it was Jesus who felt this one had not “the heart” for it yet)—then said
to his fellow disciples, “Let us go, too, so that we may die with him (does this “swagger and bravado” actually belie his being defeatist? Conversely, however, it could be raw
courage. That he is utterly disheartened
and had lost his faith in the period which follows Jesus’ death can most
logically show he is aligned with Jesus and his success. He seems now of courage; later he becomes famous
for doubting. Yet Thomas ranks with the others
who survive Jesus; for, his name is memorialized in foundation stones that
will, way on into our future, comprise New Jerusalem’s city walls—Revelation
21:12).”
17When
Jesus arrived (Luke 13:22 also gives account of the travel),
He found that he had already been buried for four days (there was some belief among Jews
that the soul might return to a body for up to three days postmortem). 18Now
QUESTION #32: “If one walks about during the day, he does
not stumble for he sees the world’s light” (verse 9). Is this the same “light” that John the
Baptist speaks of in John 1:6-9 or, after reading I John 1:5-7 and John 1:4-5,
can we say that in light vs. darkness, it is “light” that speaks of a sinless
life the Christian lives? In essence,
now that Christ has lived and been seen and written about for us, his sinless
living is the example to follow, more so than whatever conscience still
remained properly functioning among people at the time of Christ’s coming and
teaching? Explain. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
[11]
21Then Martha
accosted Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died, 22and
I know that even now whatever you ask of God He will grant you.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother
will rise again.” 24Martha
replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the Last
Day.” 25Jesus assured her, “I
am the Resurrection and the Life;* the
believer in Me will live even when he dies, 26and everyone who lives
and believes in Me shall never, never die.
Do you believe this?” 27She
responded, “Yes, Lord, I have faith that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God,
who was to come into the world.”
28This
said, she went off and called her sister Mary with the private message, “The
Teacher is here and He calls you!” 29Hurriedly
Mary arose when she heard it and went to Him; 30but Jesus had not
yet entered the village; He was still at the spot where Martha had met Him.
31As
the Jews, who were with her in the house to comfort her, noticed that Mary got
up quickly and left, they followed her, supposing she went out to the tomb to
weep there. 32Mary, however,
when she arrived at the place where Jesus was and saw Him, fell at His feet
with the words, “Lord, had you been here, my brother would not have died.” 33Then Jesus, when He saw her
weeping, as well as the weeping Jews that came along with her, was deeply
indignant in spirit and disquieted.
†
34He
asked, “Where did you lay him away?”
They told Him, “Lord, come and see!”
35Jesus wept. 36The
Jews then remarked, “Notice how he loved him!”
37But some of them said, “Could not he, the opener of the
blind man’s eyes, have prevented his death?”
38Again
deeply vexed inwardly, Jesus approached the tomb; it was a cave with a stone
laid against it. 39Jesus
said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, sister
of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by now there is an odor, for it is four
days.” 40Jesus said to her,
“Did I not tell you, if you will believe you will see the glory of God?” 41So they removed the stone.
* As the rest of the sentence makes clear: no risen Christ, no resurrection.
†
Death is an enemy Christ came to conquer; sin is at the bottom of
it.
21Then Martha accosted Jesus (she takes the initiative to speak first),
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died, 22and I
know that even now whatever (“his resurrection, yes, that!”) you ask of God He will
grant you (“you
always obtain a better result”).”
23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again (if “sooner or later,” then she
is insisting on “sooner,” and this is a show of faith; she has a great need).” 24Martha replied, “I know that he
will rise again in the resurrection on
the Last Day (it
is eight months now Jesus has spoken of a coming
resurrection day—John
28This said, she went off and called her sister Mary with the private message, “The Teacher is here and He calls you.” 29Hurriedly Mary arose when she heard it and went to Him; 30but Jesus had not yet entered the village; He was still at the spot where Martha had met Him (half a mile away).
31As
the Jews, who were with her in the house to comfort her, noticed that Mary got
up quickly and left, they followed her (for the more
weeping and pitiable prayers they could offer in exchange for money—Psalms
14:4, Luke 20:47), supposing she went out to the tomb to weep
there. 32Mary, however, when
she arrived at the place where Jesus was and saw Him, fell at His feet with the words, “Lord, had you been here, my
brother would not have died (this is Mary’s “natural
place” where she consigns her petitions to the Lord—Luke
34He
asked, “Where did you lay him away?”
They told Him, “Lord, come and see (this
resurrection so close to
38Again
deeply vexed inwardly, Jesus approached the tomb (this
place is the battleground with Death.
And continuing this metaphor, let’s think: John the Baptist and Lazarus, Jesus’ close
associates, now are dead; the devil has scored 2. What is Jesus’ present tally? Two risen that likely were total strangers: son of the “widow of Nain,” and Jairus’
daughter); it was a cave with a stone laid against it. 39Jesus said, “Remove the
stone.” Martha, sister of the deceased,
said to Him, “Lord by now there is an odor,
for it is four days (Do you think Jesus cares about our
smell? No, he loves with a love that is greater than
all our lives’ misfortunes and oncoming death’s ravages!).” 40Jesus said to her, “Did I not
tell you, if you will believe you
will see the glory of God (what she earlier had said
in private Jesus now wants her to carry
through and say in the open. What
she wants calls for obediently manifesting faith)? 41So they removed the stone.
QUESTIONS #33: Martha’s statement in verse 21 is expressing
her faith. But disappointment had
preceded Christ’s absence during the critical time of her brother’s possible recovery;
now, the prospect of a “greater” miracle requires Jesus’ instructing her about resurrection
and how it is to be accomplished because he is, for her, The Resurrection. She has never witnessed such as this before;
however, the regular disciples have. By
this time of Lazarus’ death, Peter was witness to the “widow of Nain”’s son being
raised (Luke
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Could you, if occasion warrants, have the
confidence to speak to the departed one, “(name), Arise!”? Would a fear of failure or the suspicion that
it was likely “the Lord’s will” had already been done stand in the way of your
success? Read and fully understand
Romans 5:1-5 and make your answer here. _______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
[11]
Then Jesus raised His eyes on high and
said: “Father, I thank Thee for having heard Me, 42and I know that
Thou always dost hear Me; but on account of the people around here I spoke, so
that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” *
43This
said, He called out strongly, “Lazarus, come out!” 44Out came the one who had died,
feet and hands tied with bandages and his face wrapped in a towel. Jesus told them, “Untie him and give him a
chance to move.”
45Then
many of the Jews, who had visited Mary and had observed what He had done,
believed in Him; 46but some of them went off to the Pharisees and
informed them of Jesus’ activities. 47So
the chief priests and the Pharisees summoned the Sanhedrin and said, “What
shall we do? For this man performs
numerous signs. 48If we let
him go on this way, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come to
take away from us both place and people.”
49But one of them, Caiaphas, that year’s high priest,
suggested to them, “You do not know a thing; 50you do not reason out
that it is preferable for you to have one person die on behalf of the people,
rather than have the whole nation ruined.”
51He
said this not from his own initiative but, being that year’s high priest† he
foretold how Jesus was to die for the nation, 52and not alone for
the nation, but to gather into unison all the scattered children of God.
53From
that day on, therefore, they laid plans to kill Him. 54So Jesus no longer went around
openly among the Jews, but withdrew to the country near the desert, to a town
called Ephraim, and there He stayed with the disciples.
* Having
laid aside such powers as would hinder human experience, our Lord looked to
the Father for help, perfectly sure of
being heard.
† Caiaphas
was high priest 18-37 AD. His
sinister suggestion, cruel and crooked, would
serve to carry through the divine plan of
redemption.
Then Jesus raised His eyes on high and said: “Father, I thank Thee for having heard Me, 42and
I know that Thou always dost hear Me; but on account of the people around here
I spoke, so that they may believe
that Thou hast sent Me (to our ears, such insistence
upon there being a miracle sounds perhaps like putting the Father to the test;
however, Jesus with a lifetime of service and connectedness with God is
operating here on the basis of trust. These others fully expect to see a
miracle; and the two sisters especially hope for it. Perhaps it is Martha who has the greatest
faith, hope and need. When Jesus talks
of their belief “Thou hast sent me,” it is for the eyes of all around to
experience first hand the power of God and His interest in them all. Jesus knows it to be God’s will that Lazarus reassume
life. He, as The Prince of Life—Peter
calls Jesus that, Acts
43This
said, He called out strongly, “Lazarus, come out (this is that one’s living soul being called or summoned
back to live in health and well-being.
Specifically, he calls Lazarus by name.
In essence such uttered faith as we may ever have within is this: “The ‘I am’ in me speaks through to the soul
of [the person is named], ‘Return to this body where Christ Jesus restores life
and all health by the Spirit! It is in
the holy name of the Lord Jesus that you shall come.’”)!” 44Out came the one who had died,
feet and hands tied with bandages and his face wrapped in a towel. Jesus told them, “Untie him and give him a
chance to move (they
are slow-moving, as much ‘in shock’ possibly as Lazarus).”
45Then
many of the Jews, who had visited Mary and had observed what He had done,
believed in Him (utter joy and belief exists among
those); 46but some of them went off to the Pharisees and
informed them of Jesus’ activities (Question: What activates men to give Martha and Mary
comfort by prayers, but then minutes later, add no joy to their lives when they
see the grand restoration miracle? “Beware,”
Jesus cautioned—Mark 12:40—“of the scribes, who enjoy walking around in long
robes, to be greeted in the market places, to have the front seats in the
synagogues and the choice places at the banquets; who prey upon the properties of widows, and pray long prayers for show!” This list of multiple sins is led first by vanity,
then “pride of life”, then avariciousness and “cement” that relates them all: insincerity). 47So (with new reports from these false prayer-givers)
the chief priests and the Pharisees summoned the Sanhedrin (the rulers and leaders of the
people) and said, “What shall we do?
For this man (no longer do they admit to this “a teacher who has come
from God” flowery talk of Nicodemus dating back two years. Is it much of a surprise that Nicodemus does not
now speak up? He has had no interim increase
of faith. Is he unsure and cautious to
bide his time? Perhaps it’s only an inner
cowardliness) performs numerous signs (“the
numerous signs he does!” “You don’t
suppose he’s the Mes—…. no, he couldn’t
be! Not Jesus, that carpenter from
51He
said this not from his own initiative but, being that year’s high priest, he
foretold how Jesus was to die for the nation (“and a
good thing, too” in any high priest’s thinking) 52and not
alone for the nation, but to gather into unison all the scattered children
of God (remove this “false teacher” then reintroduce
his flock back to their fold. Signs exist that this was already tried—John
53From that day, therefore, they laid plans to kill Him. 54So Jesus no longer went around openly among the Jews, but (again) withdrew to the country near the desert, to a town called Ephraim (20 miles north and a little east of Jerusalem), and there He stayed with the disciples.
QUESTION #34: Verse 54 records that Jesus went into
seclusion for reason of safety. But the
people continued having interest in him despite the absence. They wonder (verse 56, coming up) if he will
show at their festival. Does it follow
that if one drops out from time to time for needed safety, rest, and removing
oneself from constant public scrutiny there necessarily will come slow-down in
ministry growth? (Hint: See John 10:24) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
[11]
55The Jews’
Passover was approaching, and many went up from the country to
[12]
Chapter Twelve
Six
days previous to the Passover, Jesus came to
3Then
Mary, procuring a pound of costly perfume, purest nard, anointed the feet of
Jesus and dried His feet with her hair.
So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4But
Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples—who was to betray Him—said, 5“For
what reason was not this perfume sold at 300 denares and that donated to the
poor?” 6He did not say this
because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief; he had charge of the
money-bag and pilfered the collections. 7Then
Jesus said, “Let her alone. She took
care of it against the day of My burial.
8For the poor you have always with you, but Me you do not
always have.”
* At the home of
Simon the leper, Mark 14:3
55The Jews’ Passover was approaching, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem to consecrate themselves for the Passover (in groups ascending the heights towards Jerusalem, the “Songs of Ascent”—Psalms 120-134—would be sung, concluding with the 134th Psalm as the temple steps were climbed); 56so they looked for Jesus and remarked as they were standing together in the temple: “What do you think? Is he not coming to the Feast?” 57But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that, if anyone knew where He was, he should report so that they might get hold of Him.
Chapter Twelve
Six days
previous to the Passover, Jesus came to
3Then
Mary, procuring a pound of costly perfume, purest nard (spikenard), anointed the feet
of Jesus and dried His feet with her hair (for him
there were three occasions of being anointed, and two were during his final
week. The first preceded by two years
this at Martha and Mary’s house—Luke
4But
Judas Iscariot, one of His
disciples—who was to betray Him—said, 5“For what reason was not this
perfume sold at 300 denares and that donated to the poor?” 6He did not say this because he
cared for the poor, but because he was a
thief (it seems in each passing decade there is
renewed flirtation with Judas’ persona; he is made out to be less the betrayer and more as Christ’s “co-conspirator”; less a thief and more a zealot-patriot; less
hindrance to Christ and more an “activist,”
etc. For us it is both refreshing and
necessary to read the actual Bible description of him and let it go with that:); he had charge of the money-bag and
pilfered the collections. 7Then
Jesus said, “Let her alone. She took
care of it against the day of My burial (one by one, Jesus’ disciples came to see his ministry
drawing to a close. The betrayer
continued to plot and steal, and eventually settled with the Sanhedrin for so
much money—equivalent to living expenses for two to three months. His rationale probably was If Jesus is determined to march to his
death, I might just as well make money prior to his death—Matthew 26:14-16). 8For the poor you have always with
you, but Me you do not always have (Judas had put
his unnecessary “guilt trip” on the one sister Mary who, a month before,
personally had gone through great trauma over death of her brother. Judas had not the slightest concern for her, or
“the poor” he professed to care about; he saw only that ointment’s value and
wanted the money. I can think of no
greater contrast shown in the Bible between the attitudes of two individuals in
the same setting as this of Mary and Judas).”
QUESTIONS #35: “For the poor you always have with you…” May I present a hypothetical situation and
ask you to decide and describe which is the best action to take? I know a lady who has some obvious addiction
or mental problem that keeps her “needy”.
She is missing front teeth and talks unclearly as a result of her
loss. To see improvement requires her
getting a new dental appliance having artificial teeth, and the cost of this is
$250. She professes her belief in God,
yet never attends church. She carries
around with her, however, a booklet she found; and in it is contained several
“faith” Scriptures that apply to her daily living. A different woman I know attends the church I
go to and she is living in her car. I’m
told when she happens to get money, she will use it for brochures or travel to
learn more about operating an entrepreneur direct sales of kitchenware
enterprise. Hers is the goal of making
great profit—once she can get the money together for the sample wares to sell. She still manages to dress nicely even though,
as I say, she lives in her car. Now, the
third. A missionary correspondent of
mine at labor in the Lord’s fields in
missionaries.htm “J. Schlegel”) is trying to generate interest
in the Scriptures in that beforetime religious nation. This he does among youth with his coaching
them in soccer classes and introducing them to the Gospel of Jesus about ten
minutes each session. Donations from Christians—by
far mostly outside that nation—keep the work going. Here are three who have needs I know about
and all at the same time. How do I
decide who gets my money allotted to The Lord’s Work? I seem to have money to help one, maybe
two—but two definitely if I am willingness to forego certain of my lifestyle
pleasures which are eating out and renting videos. Should I continue to analyze the merits of
each need in an attempt to ascertain where and how I could help or does the
Bible give me the forthright and much-needed instruction? (A modern-day “Judas” would tell me to sell my
favorite bicycle and give him the proceeds.)
Would giving a little to each be a fair way? Explain your view. ________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Are
there other modes of help to give besides money? Be specific for each. Explain.
________________________________________________________________________________
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[12]
9Then
a great crowd of Jews learned that He was there and came not merely on account
of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead. 10But the chief priests made plans
to kill Lazarus, too; 11for many of the Jews went out on his account
and believed in Jesus.
12Next
day an immense body of people, who were coming to the Feast, heard that Jesus
was on the way to Jerusalem, 13so they took palm branches and went
out to meet Him, shouting all the while:
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord, even the King of
17The
people who were with Him when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him
from the dead, bore witness about it, 18and for that reason the
crowd went out to meet Him; for they had heard that He had performed this
sign. 19Then the Pharisees
said among themselves, “You see how you are getting nowhere! Look, the world is running after him!”
20There
were certain Greeks among those going up to worship at the Feast, 21who
came to Philip of
* They
greet Him as Messiah with Psalms 118:26.
But its real significance even the
disciples did not catch.
† Zechariah 9:9
‡
Prophetic of the coming in of the Gentiles.
9Then a great crowd of Jews learned that
He was there and came not merely on account of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead (it may have been for
some more a curiosity to see Lazarus “returned from the dead” than see Jesus
who worked that miracle). 10But
the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus, too (can
you say, “outright murder”?); 11for many of the Jews went out
on his account and believed in Jesus (this increase in belief is the glory Jesus had predicted—John
11:4).
12Next
day an immense body of people, who were coming to the Feast, heard that Jesus
was on the way to Jerusalem, 13so they took palm branches and went
out to meet Him (But see how this event differs from
the Samaritan woman “at the well”: she could
well say, “Come see the man who has told me all [the disreputable things] that
I have done; surely this is a prophet,” and her townspeople respond. But here
there is a mighty celebration over a life-giving
miracle that restored Lazarus to his sisters), shouting all the
while: “Hosanna! Blessed is he (joy
is reached) who comes in the name of the Lord (contrast the attendants here with those people with whom
Christ interacted in John
17The
people who were with Him when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him
from the dead, bore witness about it, 18and for that reason the
crowd went out to meet Him; for they had heard that He had performed this
sign. 19Then the Pharisees
said among themselves, “You see how you
are getting nowhere! Look, the world is
running after him (repeated telling of this “Lazarus”
news event was on everyone’s lips. Jesus
did “the impossible”! Doesn’t this Pharisee
reaction remind one of the women who were greeting returning King Saul—I Samuel
18:7—with the singing “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands.” The enthusiasm and welcome shown to Jesus by
the
20There were certain Greeks among those going up to worship at the Feast, 21who came to Philip of Bethsaida in Galilee and asked him, “Sir, we want to see (“spend time with; talk to”) Jesus.” 22Philip came and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip (these two had likely been paired to go out—previously—into towns and cities for weeks and months at a time, in advance of Jesus’ town visits—Mark 6:7) went to let Jesus know. 23Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Truly I assure you, unless the grain of wheat that drops into the earth, dies, it remains (shall remain) single, but if it dies, it produces a rich yield (Jesus, soon to die, would produce for us and God the rich yield of Salvation, seemingly for an unending number. This comment, however, he likely gives to the disciples here who lack in energetic allegiance to him: Philip, as Scripture indicates—John 14:8—and Andrew, who was a man who never gained a willing entrance into the “inner circle of confidence” the most-trusted disciples Peter, James and John comprised—Luke 8:51 [Jairus’ daughter is resurrected], Mark 9:2 [the Transfiguration Mount], and Mark 14:33 [Gethsemane night vigil]. There is in Christianity a yield contrast or factor far greater than two or three; instead, it is sixty or even a hundred [!] when it comes to measuring productivity. A heartless, dispirited Christian might not be receiving of much heavenly reward when t