One-Year Bible Reading Plan  : Seekers & New Believers  | January 12 | John Chapter 12: Anointing at Bethany, Triumphal Entry, and The Grain of Wheat 

🌸 Opening Today’s Reading 

Dear Brothers, Sisters, and Friends, Peace in the Lord!

Welcome to Day 12 of our Bible reading journey! Today is January 12th, and we are so glad to continue walking together.

Yesterday in John Chapter 11, we witnessed the astonishing resurrection of Lazarus at Bethany. Today, we remain in Bethany for a fragrant feast before following Jesus as He enters Jerusalem to loud shouts of acclamation.

Here we find an open alabaster flask filling the house with perfume, palm branches waving in celebration, and Jesus' memorable parable: "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."

Let us enter today's reading with expectant and receptive hearts!

📖 Context Snapshot: Fragrance at Bethany, Acclamation in the City, and The Secret of the Seed 

1. What Happened Before: From the Miracle of Life to the Approaching Cross

Yesterday in Chapter 11, Jesus raised Lazarus after four days in the tomb, causing many to believe in Him while prompting religious leaders to plot His arrest. In Chapter 12, as the Passover approaches, Jesus returns to Bethany as His earthly mission reaches its climax.

2. Today's Thread: An Unbroken Jar, A Cheering Crowds, and A Buried Seed

An intimate dinner party was underway. Lazarus, recently raised from the dead, sat at the table while Martha served the guests. Suddenly, Mary entered carrying a vessel of rare, costly ointment of pure spikenard. Before the astonished eyes of everyone present, she poured the precious perfume over Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair. Fragrance filled the entire house. As onlookers criticized her for "wasting" such wealth, Jesus stepped in with a gentle defense...

A few days later, Jerusalem buzzed with excitement. Crowds lined the streets waving palm branches and shouting: "Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord!" The entire city welcomed the King riding on a young donkey. Yet amid the peak of praise, Jesus spoke words that shattered worldly expectations: "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone..."

Why did Mary pour out such an extravagant gift? What was the secret of the "grain of wheat" that had to fall into the earth?

The answers await you in today's chapter. We invite you to open your Bible and discover the truth!

💡 Questions to keep in mind while reading today:

• On Mary's Anointing: Why did Mary pour out her costly perfume on Jesus? How does this challenge worldly ideas of "waste"?

• On the Triumphal Entry: How does Jesus riding on a humble donkey contrast with human ideas of earthly kingship?

• On the Grain of Wheat: What does the picture of the grain of wheat reveal about Jesus' sacrifice and our own spiritual calling?

💡 Today’s Scripture Verse  - John 12

12 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

🌟Daily Heart-Check: Pouring Out Extravagant Love, Receiving a Humble King, and Yielding Fruit Through Surrender 

Synchronized with the core questions from our reading guide:

• Offer Your Best to the Lord Regardless of Worldly Opinion:
  To onlookers, pouring a year's wages on Jesus' feet looked like waste; to Mary, Jesus was worthy of her costliest treasure. True love is not a calculating transaction, but a joyful offering of our best to the Savior.

• Follow the Humble King of Peace:
  Earthly rulers parade on warhorses with force; Jesus enters on a young donkey, establishing His kingdom through humility, love, and sacrifice. Following Him means trading self-promotion for quiet service.

• Surrender Self to Bear Fruit Like a Grain of Wheat:
  Holding tightly to self leaves life isolated and barren. Yet surrendering self-will for Christ and others transforms us like a grain of wheat falling into good soil, bringing forth an abundant harvest.

💭 Reflection & Micro-Action

Connecting with Today's Questions:
Is there an area of life—a plan, pride, or treasure—you hesitate to hand over to Jesus? Are you willing to surrender it today so His fragrance may fill your life?

A Micro-Step Today:
Take two simple practical steps today:

1. A Prayer of Loving Devotion: Pause in a quiet moment today and pray: "Lord Jesus, You deserve my best. I offer my heart, time, and life into Your hands today."

2. Be a Grain of Wheat: Choose one small way to serve someone today (yielding an argument, helping a colleague, or serving a family member) by choosing love over self-interest.

🎵 Response Song : Hosanna, Loud Hosanna -  A Joyful Palm Sunday Celebration! 

🙏 Closing Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for showing us in John Chapter 12 Mary's pure and extravagant love and Lord Jesus' willingness to be the grain of wheat falling into the ground.

Lord Jesus, thank You for walking the path of the cross and yielding abundant life for us through Your sacrifice. Give us hearts like Mary's to love You without reserve, offering our lives to You. Teach us to surrender self-will so that Your fragrance and life may flow through us to bless those around us.

Bless every moment of our day today, and let us walk in Your peace and joy.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!