30th March 2026

Let us join the disciples as they follow Jesus during the week that will lead to his crucifixion. I encourage you to read the whole of John chapter 12 and imagine yourself in Jesus’ presence as the story unfolds.

The week begins in Bethany, at the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus – yes, the one Jesus raised from the dead. Mary pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet; Judas grumbles that the money would be better spent on helping the poor; the chief priests plot to put Lazarus to death (again).

Then we follow the crowds as they travel up to Jerusalem; Jesus is on a donkey; the people wave palm branches and sing, as if to welcome a king into the capital; the Pharisees plot against him. A group of Greeks/Gentiles join the crowds and want to see Jesus too.

Jesus speaks to them: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12.23–24, NIV).

The crowds are divided. He has performed miraculous signs among them, but many do not believe in him. Others, even many of the rulers, do believe in him and yet are afraid to acknowledge him, for fear of being excluded from the community.

“I have come into the world as a light”, Jesus says, “so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (v46).

We take time to reflect as the week progresses. Will light or darkness prevail?

Ian Waddingon