Bible Study Notes 3/24/2026

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ^©2026

Journey To Bethlehem and Beyond – Post Advent / Spring Series

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, Because of Bethlehem:

Love Is Born, Hope Is Here, 2020

Lesson 14

 24  March  2026

John 12:12-26, NLT: The final days of Jesus unfolded the mystery for some of His mission on earth. Regardless of the time, teaching and attention Jesus gave His disciples, they were unsure about His Messianic purpose. They were not alone, even the disciples of John echoed the question, “Is this the Messiah, or should we look for another?”  Jesus was indeed the Messiah – the One who had come to bring salvation to the human family! The entry of our Lord into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday was the beginning of numerous prophecies fulfilled concerning His death, burial, and Resurrection… The crowds who placed palms at the feet of the young donkey Jesus entered the city’s gates riding on did not fully understand the meaning of the moment. It was after the events that occurred, the Disciples and other believers understood the fulfillment of prophecy. Moreover, they knew then, Jesus was Lord and Savior The Messiah had come, and the Holy Spirit gave them new breath to communicate the Good News of salvation and reconciliation through Jesus!

Verses & Explanations for John 12:12-26, NLT:

Observe     Interpret     Apply

(Verses 12-13): The Triumphant Ministry Begins.

¹² “The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors ¹³ took palm branches and went down the road to meet Him. They shouted, ‘Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!’”

(Verses 14-15): Prophecy of Jesus as Messiah Revealed.

¹⁴ Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: ¹⁵ ‘Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.’

(Verses 16): A Delayed Understanding of Jesus’ Mission.

¹⁶ His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into His glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about Him.

(Verses 17-19): The Crowd Misunderstood the Event.

¹⁷ Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. ¹⁸ That was the reason so many went out to meet Him – because they had heard about this miraculous sign. ¹⁹ Then the Pharisees said to each other, ‘There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after Him.’

(Verse 20-22): Curiosity Spread About Jesus and His Mission.

²⁰ Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration ²¹ paid a visit to Philip who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, ‘Sir, we want to meet Jesus.’ ²² Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.

(Verses 23-26): Jesus Explains His Death, Burial, and Resurrection.

²³ Jesus replied, ‘Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into His glory. ²⁴  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels - a plentiful harvest of new lives. ²⁵ Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. ²⁶ Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.’”

Further Scripture Reading (Prophecy About Jesus):

⁹ “Rejoice, O people [O daughter] of Zion!

Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!

Look, your king is coming to you! He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey – riding on a donkey’s colt.” (Zechariah 9:9, NLT)

The Key Idea

What We Believe!    

1.“Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path!” – Psalm 119:105