Welcome to The Word Became Fresh, the Bible-teaching ministry of Pastor Sebastian Petz from The WORD Church LA.

Last time, we began John 12:1–11 as Mary poured out a costly perfume upon the feet of Jesus, revealing a heart of genuine worship, while Judas exposed the emptiness of false discipleship.

In this episode, we'll conclude John's account as the crowds gather because of Lazarus, the religious leaders harden their opposition, and the miracle that reveals Christ's glory becomes the very reason they plot to take another life.

Thanks for listening to The Word Became Fresh, the Bible-teaching ministry of Pastor Sebastian Petz from The WORD Church LA.

Today we saw that the same Jesus who drew many to saving faith also provoked deeper unbelief in those determined to reject Him. Lazarus became living evidence of Christ's power, yet the religious leaders responded by plotting to kill both the Savior and the man He raised.

Next time, we'll begin John 12:12–19 as Jesus enters Jerusalem amid palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna!" We'll discover that while the crowds welcomed Him as King, few truly understood the kind of Messiah He had come to be.

Until then, stay rooted in the Word, and listen for the Shepherd's voice.

Welcome to The Word Became Fresh, the Bible-teaching ministry of Pastor Sebastian Petz from The WORD Church LA.

Last time, we concluded John 11 as the resurrection of Lazarus led the religious leaders to officially plot the death of Jesus.

Caiaphas unknowingly declared the very heart of the gospel: that one man would die for the people.

Now in John 12, Jesus returns to Bethany only days before the Passover and the cross.

At a dinner in His honor, Mary pours out a costly perfume upon the feet of Jesus in one of the most beautiful acts of worship in all of Scripture.

As the fragrance fills the house, John begins revealing the difference between true devotion and false discipleship.

In this episode, we'll begin John 12:1–8 and witness the worship of Mary, the objection of Judas, and the Savior who is moving steadily toward His burial.

Welcome to The Word Became Fresh, the Bible-teaching ministry of Pastor Sebastian Petz from The WORD Church LA.

Last time in John 11:47–57, we saw the religious leaders respond to the resurrection of Lazarus with shocking unbelief.

Rather than submitting to Christ, they gathered to protect their power, preserve their position, and silence the One who threatened both.

Yet in one of the great ironies of Scripture, Caiaphas unknowingly declared the very heart of the gospel:

that one man should die for the people.

In this episode, we'll finish John 11 as John pulls back the curtain on God's sovereign plan behind these events.

The opposition to Jesus intensifies.

The plot to kill Him becomes official.

And the shadow of the cross grows darker as the true Passover Lamb moves steadily toward His appointed hour.

Welcome to The Word Became Fresh, the Bible-teaching ministry of Pastor Sebastian Petz from The WORD Church LA.

Last time in John 11:28-46, we witnessed one of the greatest miracles in all of Scripture.

Jesus stood before the tomb of Lazarus...

and with absolute authority, called a dead man back to life.

The grave obeyed the voice of its Creator.

Death itself submitted to the Son of God.

And many who witnessed the miracle believed in Him.

But not everyone responded with faith.

Some ran directly to the Pharisees.

And now, the greatest sign in John’s Gospel becomes the catalyst for the greatest act of rebellion imaginable.

The religious leaders gather together...

not to worship...

not to repent...

not to rejoice that a dead man lives again...

but to plot the death of Jesus Himself.

In this episode, we witness the growing hardness of unbelief, the fearful calculations of corrupt leaders, and the stunning irony that while sinful men conspire against Christ...

God is sovereignly preparing the Lamb for sacrifice.

Welcome to The Word Became Fresh, the Bible-teaching ministry of Pastor Sebastian Petz from The WORD Church LA.

Last time in John 11:28-46, we stood in one of the most emotionally powerful moments in all of Scripture.

Mary fell at the feet of Jesus weeping.

The mourners surrounded her in grief.

And Jesus Himself wept in the presence of death and sorrow.

But the story is now reaching its dramatic climax.

Jesus is about to walk to the tomb of Lazarus.

The stone still covers the grave.

The body has already begun to decay.

Humanly speaking, all hope is gone.

And yet, standing before that tomb is not merely a teacher, prophet, or miracle worker.

Standing there is the Son of God...

the One who has authority over life and death itself.

In this episode, we’ll continue John 11:28–46 as Jesus commands the stone to be removed...

calls Lazarus by name...

and gives the world a glimpse of the resurrection power that ultimately points forward to His own victory over the grave.

Welcome to The Word Became Fresh, the Bible-teaching ministry of Pastor Sebastian Petz from The WORD Church LA.

Last time in John 11:17-27, Jesus led Martha from a distant belief in resurrection...

to the breathtaking reality that resurrection and life are found in Him personally.

But now, the scene shifts from theological conversation...

to deep emotional intensity.

Mary comes to Jesus weeping.

The mourners gather around her.

The weight of death fills the atmosphere.

And in the middle of it all, we encounter one of the most astonishing moments in all of Scripture:

Jesus wept.

In this episode, we begin the first half of John 11:28-46...

where we’ll see the compassion of Christ, the grief of humanity, and the Son of God standing face-to-face with the devastation of death itself.

Welcome to The Word Became Fresh, the Bible-teaching ministry of Pastor Sebastian Petz from The WORD Church LA.

Last time in John 11:17–27, we stepped into one of the most personal moments in the Gospel.

Jesus meets Martha in the middle of her grief and begins to gently challenge her understanding. She believes in a future resurrection. She believes in sound doctrine. But her hope is still distant.

In this episode, we continue that conversation...

as Jesus moves her and us from abstract belief to a present, personal reality.

Welcome to The Word Became Fresh, the Bible-teaching ministry of Pastor Sebastian Petz from The WORD Church LA.

Last time in John 11:1-16, we saw that Jesus’ delay was not a lack of love but a deeper purpose.

Now in verses 17-27, Jesus arrives in Bethany...
and Lazarus has been dead four days.

From a human perspective, hope is gone.

But it’s right here, in the middle of grief,
that Jesus meets Martha...
and begins to reframe everything she thought she knew about death, hope, and resurrection.

In this episode, we begin that conversation,
as Jesus prepares to reveal a truth that will change everything.

Welcome to The Word Became Fresh, the Bible-teaching ministry of Pastor Sebastian Petz from The WORD Church LA.

Last time in John 11:1–16, we were introduced to a moment that immediately challenges our expectations.

Jesus receives word that Lazarus is sick—someone He loves deeply.

And yet, instead of going immediately, He delays.

Not because He is indifferent.
Not because He is unaware.
But because He is intentional.

In this episode, we take a closer look at what that delay reveals—how Jesus reframes the situation for His disciples, and how what appears to be suffering and death is actually being used for a greater purpose.

Because in the hands of Christ, even death itself becomes a stage for the glory of God.

Welcome to The Word Became Fresh, the Bible-teaching ministry of Pastor Sebastian Petz from The WORD Church LA.

Last time in John 10:31–42, we saw that Jesus’ works testify clearly to who He is—the Son of God sent by the Father—and that the issue is never a lack of evidence, but a refusal to believe.

Now as we move into John 11, we enter one of the most powerful and personal moments in the Gospel.

Jesus receives word that Lazarus—someone He loves—is sick.

The expectation is immediate action.
Urgency.
Intervention.

But instead...Jesus delays.

In this episode, we begin to see that what appears to be delay is actually divine design—setting the stage for a greater revelation of His glory.