BIBLE STUDY LESSON 01

SERIES R --- THE GOOD SHEPHERD

POWER OF COMMAND

THE GREATEST FAITH IN ISRAEL

From Luke 7:1-10

When Yeshua finished His sermon, He returned home to Capernaum. A Roman army officer heard that Yeshua was back and sent some important Jews to talk with Him about a very dear servant who was dying. Through them, the officer begged Yeshua to heal his servant. [This man loves our people,] the Jewish leaders said. [He has even built our synagogue.] Then they urged Yeshua to come to the officer’s house and heal his servant. Yeshua went with these men toward the officer’s house. But along the way some of the officer’s friends came with a message from him. [Don’t go to all this trouble,] the officer told Yeshua. [I am not worthy for You to come to my house. Just say that it is so and my servant will be well. I understand these things, for I have superior officers whom I must obey, and I have soldiers under me who must obey me. When I tell one to go, he goes! When I tell another to come, he comes! When I tell a servant to do something, he does it!] When Yeshua heard what the man had said, He was amazed. Turning to the crowd that had followed, He said, [I have not found such great faith anywhere, not even among you people of Israel.] When the messengers returned to the officer’s house, they found that his servant was already well.

A WIDOW’S ONLY SON

From Luke 7:11-17

On the next day, Yeshua went with His disciples to a town called Nain. A great crowd followed Him as usual. As they came near the gate of the town, they met a funeral procession coming out. The dead man was a widow’s only son. With her, there was a large crowd of mourners. When Yeshua saw the widow, He was filled with pity for her. [Don’t cry!] He told her. Then He walked up to the bier and touched it and the men who carried it stopped. Yeshua spoke to the dead man. [Young man, get up now!] The man got up and began to talk, and Yeshua gave him back to his mother. A deep sense of awe came over the crowd and they quietly began to praise YHVH. [A great prophet has come among us,] they said. [YHVH has come to His people.] The news of what Yeshua did went all over Judea and even beyond into the surrounding country.

A QUESTION FROM JOHN THE BAPTIST

From Luke 7:18-35

The disciples of John the Baptist heard about Yeshua’ miracles and reported them to John in prison. John then sent two of his disciples to ask Yeshua a question. [Are You really the Moshiach, or are we still to look for Him?] John asked. That is the question the men passed on to Yeshua. [John wants to know if You are really the Moshiach, or must we continue to look for Him?] The messengers happened to come when Yeshua was healing many people of their diseases, removing evil spirits, and giving sight to the blind. Yeshua told these men, [Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard. The blind has their sight restored, lame people walk again, lepers are cured, the deaf hear, dead people are raised to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor. Happy is the one who does not doubt Me.] When the messengers had left, Yeshua talked to the crowds about John. [When you went out to listen to John preach in the wilderness, what did you expect to find? A weak man, bent by every little wind like a blade of grass? Of course not! Well, then did you go out to find a man dressed in rich clothing? No, not that either, for men with rich clothing live in kings’ palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, you did, and you found more than a prophet. John is so important that he was mentioned in Scripture, ‘I will send My messenger before you, to prepare the way for you.’ Let Me tell you something. There is not a greater man on earth than John. And yet, in YHVH’s Kingdom, the least important person is greater than John.] Everyone who heard this, even the tax collectors, praised YHVH and agreed that He was just and right, for they had accepted John’s baptism. However, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law did not agree. They had rejected John’s baptism and YHVH’s purpose for them. Yeshua had this to say about these men: [How can I describe you? You are like little children who play in the streets. When some pretend there’s a wedding, the others want to pretend that there’s a funeral. Or, when some pretend there’s a funeral, the others want to pretend that there’s a wedding. When John the Baptist came, he wouldn’t eat bread or drink wine. What did you say about that? ‘He has a demon!’ When I came, I ate bread and drank wine. What did you say about that? ‘He’s a glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ Of course, the truth becomes obvious to those who accept it.]

COMMENTARY

FUNERALS IN BIBLE TIMES

During Bible times when someone died, a loud wail went up from those in the house. Friends and neighbours joined the family as soon as they could to express their sympathy. To show their sorrow, they tore their clothes and walked barefoot, beating their chests. As the immediate family mourned, others prepared the body for burial. The women of the family washed and wrapped it from head to toe with strips of linen layered with spices. The face was covered with a linen napkin. The body was then placed on an open bier. The funeral followed soon after the death, often on the same day. Professional mourners were hired to lead the procession. Professional musicians played mournful music. Close friends and relatives took turns carrying the bier, while the rest of the mourners followed behind. As they wound through the town, the people they passed joined the procession as a sign of sympathy and respect. Taken to the burial ground, the body was placed in a cave or a shallow grave, which was then sealed with rocks.