Traditionally Holy Monday is observed by some by reading the story of Mary anointing Jesus with perfume. Instead of that, we’re going to go chronologically, looking at the story of Jesus talking about his death:
[John 12:20-36]
20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, 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. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” 33He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
34The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ[a] will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
35Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
1. In verses 24-28, Jesus not only describes his character to us, but he models one for us to live, saying that in order for us to truly follow him, we need to be willing to hate our life in this world, and to die. In so doing, more is produced. How can you see this truth at work in your life? What is the circumstance in your life? Do you love this life, or hate it? How can you tell? What is the fruit of your choices?
2. Verse 27 reflects Jesus’ feelings toward his death. Even though he was troubled, he still knew that he had to go through with it, saying that it was for his death and resurrection that he came. We would commonly refer to this sort of thing as a calling. Is God calling you to do something that you don’t want to do? If so, it does not mean that you aren’t supposed to go through with it.
3. At the end of this section, in verses 35-36, Jesus says that we are to put our trust in the light because this how we “know where we are going” and how we become sons of light. In what ways do you need to trust Jesus? Through what do you need him to guide you? Ask for his help. If you call, he will answer.