BIBLE STUDY LESSON 09

SERIES Q --- THE SAVIOUR

LAMB OF YHVH

WHO ARE YOU?

From John 1:19-28

The Jewish leaders were anxious to know more about John the Baptist, so they sent some priests and Levites to talk with him. [Who are you?] they asked. [Are you the Moshiach?] [Of course I am not the Moshiach,] he answered firmly. [Then are you Elijah?] they asked. [No] said John. [I am not.] [Are you the Prophet we expect?] they wanted to know. [No, I am not the Prophet,] John answered. [Well, then, who are you?] they asked. [We need to bring back an answer to the leaders who sent us.] John told them, [I am a voice calling out in the wilderness. I’m here to tell you what Isaiah also told you, to prepare yourselves for Adonai’s coming.] [If you are not the Moshiach, or the Prophet, or Elijah, then who gave you the authority to baptize?] they asked. [I baptize people with nothing more than water,] John answered. [But there is Someone standing here among you whom you won’t recognize. I am merely preparing the way for His work, even though I am not worthy to do the humblest job for Him, even to loosen His sandal strap.] When this happened, John was baptizing near the village of Bethany beyond Jordan.

THE LAMB OF YHVH

From John 1:29-34

On the following day, John saw Yeshua coming toward him. He called out to the people around him. [Look over there! That Man is the Lamb of YHVH, the One who will take away the sin of the world. Do you remember what I said about Him yesterday? I told you that Someone is coming soon, Someone Who lived long before I was born. I did not recognize Him as the Moshiach until He was baptized. I had been looking for the Moshiach and YHVH told me how to recognize Him. He would be the One on whom the Spirit of YHVH would descend like a dove, resting on Him. I recognized Him when I baptized Him, for the Spirit of YHVH came down and stayed upon Him. I have seen this happen with my own eyes and I want you to know that this Man is YHVH’s Son and that He will baptize with Ruach HaKodesh.]

THE FIRST DISCIPLES

From John 1:35-51

A day later, when John was standing with two of his disciples, he saw Yeshua walking by. [Do you see that Man over there?] John asked his disciples. [He is the Lamb of YHVH.] When they heard this, John’s disciples went to see Yeshua. Yeshua turned and saw them following Him. [What would you like?] Yeshua asked. [We would like to see where You live,] the two men said. [Come with Me,] Yeshua answered. [I will show you.] The two went with Yeshua to the place where He was staying. They were with Him from about four o’clock in the afternoon until evening. One of these two men was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. When he left Yeshua, he hurried off to find Simon. [We have just talked with the Moshiach,] Andrew told him. Then Andrew brought Simon to Yeshua. Yeshua looked earnestly into Simon’s face. [You have been called Simon, John’s son,] He said. [But from now on, your name will be Peter, for you will be like a rock.] On the following day, Yeshua planned to go to Galilee. [Come to Galilee with Me,] He told Philip. Philip’s home was in Bethsaida, in Galilee. This was also the home of Andrew and Peter. Before he left, Philip went to find Nathanael. [We have met the Moshiach,] he said. [The One whom Moses and the prophets talked about has come to be with us now! He is Yeshua of Nazareth, the son of Joseph,] [That town?] Nathanael asked scornfully. [Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?] [Don’t take my word for it,] Philip told him. [Come yourself and meet Him.] As Nathanael came toward Him, Yeshua spoke. [Here comes a good Israelite,] He said. [How could You know anything about me?] Nathanael asked. [I saw you sitting under the fig tree before Philip went to find you,] Yeshua answered. [Then You really are YHVH’s Son, the Moshiach,] said Nathanael. [Do you believe in Me for such a little thing?] Yeshua asked. [You will see far greater things than that! The time will come when you will see heaven open, and the angels of YHVH traveling between heaven and earth through Me.]

COMMENTARY

THE LAMB AND THE GOOD SHEPHERD

During the time of Yeshua, lambs were sacrificed in Israel for the sins of the people. The Israelites had done this for fourteen centuries, since Moses gave the Law at Mount Sinai. The lamb for the sacrifice must be perfect, without defect or blemish. Its death was a blood sacrifice -- the perfect, offering its life for the imperfect. Thus, sheep raised for these sacrifices were carefully guarded. Shepherds were appointed by the temple to guard them and give them special attention. It is thought that the shepherds to whom the angels appeared on the night of Yeshua’ birth were temple shepherds, guarding the lambs to be offered in the temple at Jerusalem. For many centuries, prophets such as Isaiah compared the coming Yeshua to a Lamb, Who would be sacrificed for the sins of the world -- Isaiah 53:7. Like these prophets, John the Baptist called Him the [Lamb of YHVH.] But after Yeshua was sacrificed as the [Lamb of YHVH,] He became the [Good Shepherd.] As sheep follow a shepherd, so Yeshua’ followers look to Him to lead them and care for them.