“I am the Son of God”

The focus Scripture reading for this study is:

John 10:17-42

When you do this reading take note of specific references that point to the relationship between Jesus and his Father. (We will come back to this later in the study).

The Biblical portrait

The portrait of Jesus that we are going to study this time is again found in John 10. In fact the conversation in which Jesus introduces himself as the Son of God is a natural continuation from the shepherd passage. This means that we will revisit some of the verses that were studied in the previous study again.

Son of God

In John 10:36 Jesus says “I am the Son of God.” This is not the first time he says this. It is also not the first time that John underlines this truth in his gospel.

Read the following passages and decide who calls Jesus the son of God and at what occasion.

1. John 1:33-34

2. John 1:47-49

3. John 3:16-18

4. John 5:15-18,25

5. Why could the person in John 1:33-34 be so certain about his facts? (The answer can be found in Matthew 3:16-17).

Father and Son

During the reading of John 10:17-42, you were asked to look for specific references talking about the relationship between Jesus and his Father. Let’s study some of the characteristics of this relationship.

Use John 10 as your source and then answer the following questions:

1. What is the attitude of the Father towards the Son? (vs. 17)

2. What is the reason for this attitude? (vs. 17)

3. In verse 30, Jesus says: “I and the Father are one.” What do you think he means by this? John 5:18-20 might be helpful to read.

4. What do we learn about the unity/oneness between the Father and the Son in John 10:38^b?

5. How did Jesus respond to the Jews’ accusation of blasphemy? (vss.34-36)

The Son’s commission

The relationship between the Father and the sons becomes even more evident when we look at what Jesus came to do on earth (his commission).

1. What is the command that Jesus received from his Father? (John 10:18)

2. According to John 10:25 the miracles (acts) that Jesus performed in the name of the Father show that he is the son of God. Name at least three examples of these Godly acts, which Jesus performed while he was on earth.

3. On whose authority did Jesus perform these acts? (vs. 32).

4. What conclusion should we be able to reach concerning the relationship between Jesus and the Father, when we see that Jesus “does what the Father does?” (vss. 37-38).

The heart of the matter

With all the information you have gather you should be able to answer the following. Decide whether the question is true or false and give a reason for your answer.

When Jesus calls himself the Son of God he means that –

1. He pretends to be the Son of God

2. He is God

3. He is also the Father

4. He and the Father are one

5. He is almost God

People’s reaction

People reacted differently when they heard Jesus calling himself the Son of God. John tells us about two possible reactions.

1. How did the Jews react when Jesus said, “I and the Father are one?” (vs. 30)

2. Why did they react this way? (vs. 33)

3. Others had a different reaction. What was this reaction? (vs. 42)

4. Why do you think they reacted in this way? (vss. 37-42)

Think it through

In what way is Jesus’ relationship with God (his Father) significant for your relationship with God? Name at least two things. If you find it difficult to answer this look at John 10:18 & 28 again and ask yourself how many of these things could have happened if Jesus was not the son of God.

Take some time to reflect on Jesus as the Son of God. Now take time in prayer to thank him for all the good gifts he gives so freely.

I am the good shepherd

(Painting: William Dyce)

The Scripture reading for this study is:

John 10:1-30

Jesus introduced

John 16:5-16 speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit. One of the tasks of the Spirit is to teach us more about Jesus and the salvation He brings (John 16:14). This is what we want to accomplish with our study this week; getting to know Jesus better. We will only be able to do that if we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Take time to pray that you will be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit as you do this study.

The Shepherd of the sheep

The image of the shepherd is well known in the Bible. Our initial reaction, when we think of “shepherd” is to think of Psalm 23. It is interesting to see that this image is repeatedly used in the Old Testament to depict kings or rulers of God’s people. The sad thing is that it is often used in a negative sense (i.e. the rulers are depicted as bad shepherds who lead the sheep astray). A good example of this can be found in Isaiah 59:9-12 and Ezekiel 34, where the shepherds are depicted as people who only have their own interest in mind, abusing the people for their own gain. John 16 uses the image of Jesus as a shepherd but the picture that is painted of him is the complete opposite of that of the abusive shepherds. So let’s follow the footsteps of the good shepherd (also called the great shepherd in Hebrews 13:20).

The focus for the following will be John 10:1-4

In this section we find a few characteristics of the relationship between the good shepherd (Jesus) and his flock (believers). Look at these characteristics/features again in the section below and then ask yourself how each of these relates to your relationship with Jesus.

Characteristics:

1. The shepherd is trusted to keep the sheep safe. (vss.2-3)

2. The shepherd calls his sheep by their names. (vs.3)

3. The shepherd leads his sheep and goes ahead of them. (vss.3-4)

4. The sheep listen to his voice and know/recognize his voice. (vss.3-4)

5. The sheep follow the shepherd. (vs.4)

After doing this exercise let’s talk about life change.

In what way is Jesus like a shepherd to you?

How are we like sheep?

How would you describe your relationship with Jesus?

Dangerous strangers

When we read the text it becomes clear that it wasn’t only the shepherd who was interested in the sheep, but also other strangers whose intentions were not necessarily good. Within the context of the text (John 10:7-10) it becomes clear that the strangers that Jesus is alluding to are the religious leaders of the Jewish people; the people who were supposed to teach them about God and how to follow God. Unfortunately they have become like thieves and robbers who only want to get to the sheep for the gain that is in it for them. That is why Jesus uses the image of the gate (cf. vss.1, 8 & 9) in contrast with the thieves and robbers who would climb over the wall not to be seen by the gatekeeper.

1. Why do you think Jesus calls the Jewish religious leaders, thieves and robbers? (vss.1, 10) You might also want to read 1 Timothy 4:16.

2. In verse 5 the sheep react in two ways when they encounter a “stranger” (read also “thieves and robbers”). What are these two reactions? Why do they react in this way

3. If we were to identify the “strangers” in 2009, who do you think they would be?

4. What tempts people to follow a “stranger”? Why?

Jesus is the entrance

The people don’t understand the message of the image that Jesus used (vs.6). In the next verses (7-15) he explains it to them. He uses two images to describe himself. In verses 7-10 he calls himself the entrance gate for the sheep and in verses 11-15 he explains why he is the good shepherd.

1. According to verse 9 what happens to anyone who enters through the “gate”?

2. The sheep do not only stay in the safety of the sheep pen. They leave the safety of the pen going in and out through the gate. What is the purpose of their leaving and returning?

Let’s apply this for life change:

How do we “enter” and “leave” the safety of the pen? With what purpose?

The fact that we can “enter” the pen (i.e. that we might be saved) and leave the pen (i.e. to be spiritually nourished) provides abundance in our lives (vs. 10 – “life to the full”). Can you name a few practical examples of this?

Jesus the shepherd

The focus for this and the next section will be on John 10:11-18

Starting at verse 11 Jesus now applies the image of shepherd to himself. We have already looked at some of the characteristics that depict the relationship between the shepherd (Jesus) and his sheep (believers). However, now Jesus’ interpretation of the image of the shepherd changes a bit.

1. When we look closely at verses 11 & 15 we find a brand new image that Jesus uses of himself as the shepherd. What does he mean with “laying down his life” for his sheep?

2. Do you think a normal shepherd would be prepared to do this for one of his/her sheep?

3. Did Jesus keep this promise? If yes, where and when?

4. One would expect the people hearing Jesus say something like this to be discouraged. Yet there was (is) no need for that. Why? You should be able to find the answer in verses 17-18.

5. What benefit, if any, does the death of the shepherd (Jesus) have for the sheep (believers)? Read John 10:28.

Hired help

After focusing on the work of the good shepherd the image now shifts to the so called hired hand (vs.12). In comparison with the good shepherd (Jesus) these hired hands (religious leaders of the Jewish people) do not take good care of the sheep.

Read verses 12-13, 28-29 again and then answer the following questions.

1. What is the attitude of the hired hand towards his work and the sheep?

2. What happens when the wolf attacks the sheep?

3. How are the sheep protected against the attack of the wolf? Read John 10:28-29.

Think about it:

What comfort do you find in knowing that Jesus is your shepherd and that you are safe in his hands, whatever your circumstances.

Take time to pray about this.

Many pens – one flock

Although Jesus might have sheep in many different pens in many different places, they all belong to one flock with one “owner” shepherd.

1. Look at verse 16, what does Jesus do to ensure that all his sheep become one flock?

2. What does this verse teach us about the unity of the church of Jesus Christ? Try and name at least three things.

Addendum:

The Feast of the Dedication (Hanukkah)

John 10:22 mentions a feast that we do not read much about in Scripture. This feast commemorated the rededication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus in 165 BC after its profanation by Antiochus Epiphanes. (Those who want to read more about Judas Maccabeus and this period of the history of Israel can click on the link: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=672&letter=J#2338).

This was the last great act of deliverance that the Jewish people had known so it must have been a symbol of their hope that God would again deliver his people. It was an occasion for gratitude towards God whose mercy had resulted in renewed opportunity for temple worship and especially at a time when people scarcely dared hope for it.

The feast began on the 25^th Kislev, which would place it somewhere in November-December on our calendar. The manner of its observance resembled that of the Feast of Tabernacles (see Study 4 for more on the Feast of the Tabernacles).

Foreign sheep

Read John 10:22-30

1. How would one recognize the sheep that do not belong to Jesus? (Vs. 26)

2. Jesus makes promises to his “sheep” in verses 27-29, what do these promises mean to you?

Something to think about:

Walther Lüthi (Lüthi, W. 1960. St John’s Gospel. Edinburgh and London.) reminds us that we could easily repeat the mistake of the Jewish people in Jesus’ time. “Nowadays we can understand only too well these people, in their militant mood, rejecting a Shepherd who let’s Himself be crucified. A God, who fights His battles like a shepherd, and with sheep, is no more popular today than at the feast of the dedication of the temple. That is where the hidden danger lies for us: it is so easy to whip up a crusading mood over shameful wrongs of the world and, in so doing, to deny the Shepherd and no longer hear His voice.” (p.144f.)

Take time in prayer to thank Jesus for being your shepherd and for all the privileges that go with that. Perhaps this is a good time to rededicate your life to the Shepherd.

I am the light of the world

The Scripture readings for this study are:

· John 8:12-24

· John 9:1-41

· John 12:35-36, 44-48

Background information

In our Scripture readings for this week we find John’s interesting way of explaining Jesus’ words again. In Chapter 8 we have the sermon concerning Jesus being the light and how people react according to their “spiritual heritage” (light or darkness). In Chapter 9 we have the sign that explains the sermon when Jesus heals the blind man (from darkness to light). In Chapter 12 we find the challenge to make the choice of either living in the light or the darkness, with a summary of the teaching in verses 44-48.

The background against which this teaching takes place is the Feast of the Tabernacles (also called the Feast of the Booths and in Hebrew-Sukkoth). For information on the Feast and how it was celebrated you can refer to the following passages: Ex. 23:16, 34:22; Lev. 23:34–36, 39–43; Deut. 16:13–15; cf. also 2 Chronicles 8:13; Ezra 3:4 and Nehemiah 8:15–18.

The feast was part of the celebration of the harvest and usually lasted 7 days (some would say 8 cf. Lev. 23:34-36 again). The reason for celebrating of this feast was to give thanks to God for the harvest but it was also a celebration of God’s redemptive actions during their deliverance from Egypt and their time of wandering in the wilderness. That is why they made the booths and lived in them for the seven days, as a reminder of their time in the wilderness. It also served of a reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision in their time of need.

The whole feast was filled with symbolism to remind the people of God’s care during their time in the wilderness. One of the most dramatic moments of the feast occurred on the first day of the feast during the so called festival of light. Huge candelabra were lit in the Court of the Women (where most people were allowed – see picture). These candelabra were so huge that the light that radiated from them could be seen for miles around Jerusalem. Most scholars agree that it is not always easy to understand the symbolism but it seems that the light here at the feast symbolized the pillar of fire that guided them and gave light and direction during their time in the wilderness. It is important to note that the candelabra were left burning for the whole week except for the last day of the feast when everything would be dark. It seems that Jesus used this poignant moment, standing in the Court of the Women, to make his declaration, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12).

A sermon – The light gives life (8:12^c)

By now we have seen that John likes to use contrasting terms like life and death. During this session he will focus the terms, light and darkness. To answer the following questions refer to John 8.

1. How does Jesus introduce himself to the people? (Vs. 12)

2. What will the people that follow Jesus receive? (Vs. 12)

3. Where do the people live that choose not to follow Him? (Vs. 12)

4. Read John 8:23-24 again. According to these verses how would you describe the phrase, “in darkness” (Vs. 12). In other words what does darkness symbolize?

Let’s apply this for life change:

In what way is Jesus a “light”?

How is Jesus the light in your world?

A sign to explain the sermon – Blind eyes (darkness) see (light)

Now Jesus uses a sign to explain what it means that He is “the light of the world.”

Read John 9:1-7 and answer the following questions.

1. According to Jesus, why was this man born blind? (Vs. 3)

2. What are the “works of God” that can be seen in this man’s life? (Vss. 3-7)

3. What significance would Jesus’ words that He is “the light of the world” have for the blind man?

A tragic contrast – The seeing are the blind

Read John 9:8 – 34

After the miracle of Jesus healing the blind man there is quite an uproar. We find that it has an effect not only on the blind man and his family but also on the neighbours who cannot understand this and even disagree with one another on whether it was a miracle or not. It also has an effect on the religious leaders, who are more concerned about the rules concerning the Sabbath than the fact that through a miracle this man’s whole life has been changed. It also opens a sub theme and that is the “division” that Jesus causes (again – light and darkness, following him or tuning away from him, believing or disbelieving).

Read John 9: 35-41

The consequences for the now seeing blind man are dire; because he believes he is banned from the synagogue (9:34). After being thrown out of the synagogue he is “found” by Jesus and brought to faith in Him (9:35-38). In the last three verses of John 9, Jesus uses the miracle to make a spiritual application. Now “seeing” and “blind” correspond to “light” and “darkness” correspond to..? (Can you complete the sentence?)

1. According to Jesus, why did He come into the world? (9:39)

2. Who are the so-called blind that are now able to see (9:39)

3. Who are those who could see but now are blind?

4. What did Jesus mean by saying, “but now that you claim that you can see, your guilt remains”? (9:41)

5. Why did Jesus say that the Pharisees’ guilt would remain? (9:41)

Let’s apply this for life change:

In what circumstances do you usually worship Jesus?

In what ways are people today spiritually blind?

Is there someone that you need to pray for that might be spiritually blind and needs God to open his/her eyes?

Walk in the light…

It is only after Jesus’ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem that he uses the image of himself as the light of the world again. In John 12:35-36 we get to know the light a little better.

Read John 12:35-36

1. A better translation of 12:36 would be: “Believe in the light while you have it…” How can we believe in the light?

2. What does it mean for us to “walk in the light”? (Cf. also Ephesians 5:8-13)

3. How do “people of the light” (12:36) look like (qualities)? (Cf. also 1 John 1:8-9)

…or in the darkness

We only have one of two possibilities according to John 12; we either walk in the light or in the darkness. Now John 12 continues to explain life and the consequences of life in the dark.

Read John 12: 35, 44-48

1. What, according to 12:35, do people who walk in the dark not know? What does this mean to you?

2. In 12:47-48 we read of three things that people who walk and live in the dark do, what are these three things? Are there consequences for doing these things?

3. Why doesn’t Jesus judge these people? (12:47)

4. Although Jesus doesn’t judge them there is something that does? (12:48)

Let’s apply this for life change:

  Jesus says: “I am the light of the world”. What blessing does this bring to you in your daily walk in this world?

Jesus says: “I am the light of the world”. What responsibilities does this place on your shoulders?

We cannot live in the light in our own strength, the power and ability to do that comes from God alone. Take time to pray and ask God to fill you with his light.

“I am the bread that gives life”

John is a master of storytelling and uses many techniques to tell the story. One of the techniques that he uses is that of following a miracle with a story or conversation to explain the meaning of the miracle or another matter that was addressed by the miracle. This is the case in our text for this study,

John 6:1-59.

We are going to look at this story in our study for the week. Let’s start by setting the scene. To answer the following questions please refer to (John 6:11-15)

1. What miracle took place on the day before this conversation?

2. What did the people say about Jesus after they saw the miracle?

3. What did they want to do with Jesus after the miracle?

Wrong intentions – a “bread king”

We read that the following the people start looking for Jesus again. At last they find him on the other side of the Sea of Galilee (also called the sea of Tiberias or the sea/lake of Gennesaret). Unfortunately they were looking for Jesus for the wrong reasons and with the wrong intentions.

1. What were they looking for? (Vs. 26)

2. What should they actually have been looking for? (Vs. 27)

A (another) sign

From Jesus’ words in 6:26-27 the people should have understood that he was trying to convey a spiritual message to them. Although there is a misunderstanding (another technique John likes to use) we do get the feeling that in a sense they wanted to understand and accept this message.

1. Look at verse 28; what need did they express?

2. Now look at Jesus’ answer in verse 29; what does he demand of them, for this need to be realized?

3. They counter Jesus’ demand with one of their own before they would believe in him (vs. 30). To what event does this refer? (Vs. 31)

4. Read John 6:14 again and remember that the people that Jesus is talking to in 6:26-30 are the same people. Why would you consider their request or demand unnecessary?

Bread or Bread

Jesus explains that his message has nothing to do with bread that can be consumed as food (cf. vss. 32-33). Judging from their reaction the crowd misunderstand his words (vs. 34). This leads to Jesus responding with the well known words: “I am the bread of life.” (vs. 35) Answering the following question will help you understand what he meant by this.

1. Whoever does not eat this “bread that gives life” will remain hungry (vs. 35) and run the risk of dying (vs. 50). What is Jesus talking about, what is this condition that will lead to death? Romans 6:20-21 might be helpful.

2. How does one receive this bread that gives life? Look at John 6:35 again there are two things that need to happen (both of these things are written as verbs).

3. When does everlasting life start according to 6:47? Is this what you thought before reading this verse?

To eat or not to eat

To have food on my plate does not mean that my hunger has been satisfied. I have to eat the food to satisfy my hunger. The same goes for the “bread of life”; some people eat the “bread” but others just push the plate away.

1. What happens to people who don’t “eat” this bread? (vs.53)

2. What assurance do people have that decide to come to Jesus with their “hunger”? (vs. 37)

Characteristics of true life

In John 6:54-57 Jesus ties this image of the “bread of life” with the image of the bread of communion. These four verses explain the nature of eternal life.

1. What was the cost involved for Jesus so we can have everlasting life? (vs. 55)

2. Verses 54-57 name a few characteristics of everlasting life. Try and find the meaning of each of these:

1. 2.1 “I will raise him up at the last day” (vs. 54)
2. 2.2 “remains in me,” (vs. 56) (i.e. remains in Christ)
3. 2.3 “… and I in him” (vs. 56) (i.e. Christ remains in that person)
4. 2.4 “will live because of me” (vs. 57)

To think about

How is someone’s life a reflection of the fact that he or she has eaten the true “bread of life”? You might find John 6:54-57 helpful.

Take time in prayer to thank Jesus for giving you the bread of life.

“I am the Messiah”

The Scripture reading for this study is John 4:7-30, 39-42

A very interesting meeting

In our Scripture reading for this week we find Jesus introducing himself to the Samaritan woman as the long expected Messiah

Answering the following questions should give you an insight into the background against which this meeting and conversation takes place.

1. Where did Jesus meet this woman – place and area? (vss. 5-7)

2. Where were the disciples according to verse 8?

3. There are two reasons why the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman would be frowned upon. What reason is given in verse 27?

4. What is the reason given in verse 9?

Addendum – Samaritans

The Samaritans are people from Jewish descent who intermarried with people from other nations. This happened after 722 BC when the Assyrians deported the people of the Northern Kingdom (Called Israel, with their capital city, Samaria). After deporting the Jews, the King of Assyria replaced them with people from Babylon, Cutah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim (cf. 2 Kings 17:24-41). As the people settled, they married Jewish people and became known as Samaritans. The people of the Southern Kingdom (Known as Judah, capital, Jerusalem) despised the fact that they married foreign people and this caused huge animosity. During the rebuilding of temple under Zerubbabel, the Samaritans wanted to help but they were rejected (cf. Ezra 4:2, 3). Therefore, they decided to build their own temple on Mt. Gerizim, this temple was destroyed by John Hyrcanus after the death of Antioch VII (128 BC) and never rebuilt.

This mountain was important because it was one of the mountains on which the Israelites renewed the covenant with the Lord after entering the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua (Joshua 8:30-35). This became another point of contention because the Jews believed that the only place where God could be worshipped was at the temple in Jerusalem. This was the greatest point of contention between the Jews and the Samaritans during the time of Jesus.

Another problem arose concerning the Scriptures. The Samaritans only accepted the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) as the word of God. The rest of the Old Testament (The Prophets and the Writings) was not a part of their Bible.

A teaching opportunity

The conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman reveals the reason for Jesus coming into this world. It also provides some insight into how he “lived” the message.

Answer the following statements by providing the Scripture verse that corresponds with each statement (start at verse 7. As you do this take note of where the conversation is going. Also, look for misunderstandings and how Jesus uses that to help her see who he really is.

1. Jesus connects to that with which the woman was busy.

2. The woman is surprised by the fact that he would talk to her (Why?).

3. Jesus implies that he has a spiritual message for her.

4. The woman only thinks of temporal things.

5. Jesus tries to relay his message in a more understandable way.

6. The woman again takes his words literally.

7. Jesus takes a new approach and points to that which is trying to hide from everyone. (Why would he do this?).

8. Again, the woman’s answer is elusive.

9. Jesus goes for the jugular.

10. The woman realises that “the man” has a message for her. She tries to steer the conversation in a different direction, away from her own life, to a more controversial religious conversation.

11. Jesus answers her question but shows her that worshipping God is not a question of who is right or wrong but a question of opening your heart and mind to God.

12. The woman professes her belief in the Messiah.

13. Jesus reveals that he is the Messiah.

The Messiah

The Hebrew word, Messiah, in the Old Testament is māsjīach, which means, “anointed”. It is derived from the Aramaic word mesjichā, which means, “the anointed one”.

· What is the Greek word for Messiah in the New Testament? (John 4:25)

In the Old Testament, when someone was anointed it meant that they were ordained or inducted into a specific office, to do a specific task. For instance when we read about the “anointed priest” in Leviticus (4:3,5,16; 6:22) it is an indication of the High priest (i.e. someone who served in a specific office). In the Old Testament, the king of Israel is called the anointed of the Lord (cf. Ps. 2:2). David in particular is seen as the anointed one, a man to God’s own heart, with a promise that the Messiah would come from his house (2 Sam 7). So being the anointed one created the expectation of one who could change things, who could make something new happen.

1. Was Jesus ever anointed for his ministry?

2. Where and when did this happen?

To help you answer these questions, read Matthew 3:16-17 and particularly Acts 10:37-38.

The Messiah at work

There are many promises in the Bible concerning the coming of the Messiah. Although the Jewish people made the mistake to only expect a king that would follow in the footsteps of David (remember 2 Sam 7), the Messiah would fulfill a threefold office.

1. He would be a Prophet that would speak God’s will to the people (i.e. be a witness).

2. He would be a King that would reign over all the world and break the authority of the evil one.

3. He would be the Priest who would bring the last and final sacrifice that would bring salvation to people in need (cf. Hebrews 10:11-18).

Read the following texts and decide to what office (of the Messiah) they refer. The Jewish people regarded these texts as promises referring to the Messiah.

· Zechariah 9:9

· Isaiah 53:5, 12

· Deuteronomy 18:18

· Micah 5:1-5

One Office

In John 4 the focus is on one specific office of Jesus. Let’s see if we can find out which one.

John 4:7-30, 39-42

1. Look at John 4:25 again and decide which one of the offices mention above the Samaritan woman had in mind when she spoke of the Messiah?

2. Of what office did Jesus’ behaviour remind her in John 4:19?

3. Does this office have any benefit for us?

A prophet is called

Our calling as believers is to be prophets for our time, speaking God’s word, living a godly life and professing our faith in Jesus the Messiah. After her meeting with Jesus, this woman’s life is totally changed and she becomes a prophet to her own people. Time to listen to her prophecy.

1. What did the woman say about Jesus when she got back to town (vss.29, 39)?

2. What was the initial reaction of the people (vs. 30)

3. What was their confession after getting to know Jesus (vs. 42)

4. After answering question 3, what does this teach us about faith and having a personal relationship with Jesus?

All of us

· Name at least three possible ways in which we can act as “prophets” (witnesses) for Jesus.

· What in your opinion is the greatest obstacle, preventing believers to openly witness about their relationship with Christ and the salvation that they found in Him?

· Who grants us the courage to be witnesses for Jesus?

Take time to pray, asking God to provide you with the courage to be a witness in every circumstance.

“Look! There is the Lamb of God!”

(Picture: Matthias Grünewald)

(Note: Before doing, this study please read the “Background Information” post)

The Scripture reading for this study is John 1:29-37

In the Gospel of John, John the Baptist (also called John the Baptizer) is painted as the one who was sent to point people to Jesus, our first image is one that he used to portray Jesus.

1. According to John 1:29-37, who is the most important person (persons) that we meet? Choose from the following and say why you chose it:

1. John the Baptist

2. Jesus

3. The Holy Spirit

4. The two disciples

A lamb with a message

We find John calling Jesus the Lamb of God twice in our Scripture passage (vss. 29 & 35). Those listening to John would immediately associate the saying with the Passover Lamb they would eat during the Feast of the Passover. For us to try to understand the meaning of the Passover Lamb it would be helpful to look at the background of the Passover. We find this in Exodus 12. The first Passover takes place just before the Israelites are delivered from Egypt. A lamb is slaughtered as a sign of their deliverance.

Read Exodus 12 and answer the following questions.

1. Which part of the lamb carried a message and what did they have to do with this part (or element) of the lamb? (Ex 12:7)

2. What purpose would this serve? (Ex 12:12-13)

Why a lamb?

To understand the message of the Passover lamb we need to be aware of two distinctive features of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament.

1. When a lamb was slaughtered to be sacrificed it was to ask for the forgiveness of sins (The so called “sin offering” always had to be an animal). The blood was sprinkled around the altar as a sign of reconciliation between God and the sinner. The debt or guilt could only be removed by a blood offering (i.e. where blood was spilled and a life sacrificed).

2. The second thing that we need to note is that it actually was the sinner that had to die for his or her sins but the animal symbolized the sinner being sacrificed on the altar and its blood became the symbol of forgiveness for the sinner. In other words, his or her sins were transferred onto the innocent lamb. The lamb died in his or her place, and this made forgiveness possible.

Of course, the lamb could not really take away the sin. Each lamb that was slaughtered and sacrificed only pointed towards the moment when God’s own lamb would come into this world to redeem all of God’s children. (To read more about this go to Hebrews 10:1-18 for a beautiful explanation).

· How do you feel after reading this passage in Hebrews, especially verse 18?

Isaiah is the one that explains this to God’s people in the Old Testament. In Is. 53 he speaks of the servant redeemer of the Lord that would come. In verse 7 he speaks of him as “a lamb led to the slaughter”. The interesting fact to note in Is. 53 is that Isaiah speaks as if this has already occurred. That is how sure he is of God’s salvation coming through the Lamb.

Read Isaiah 53:5-7

1. Name the images that pointing to the fact that the Saviour would suffer and die and that his blood would be shed.

2. How many times do these verses say that the Lamb of God would die in the place of sinners? Look carefully at these verses and underline he/him with one colour and our/we/us with another colour; can you see the pattern?

⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the LORD has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted,

yet he did not open his mouth;

he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.

^[1]

3. With what attitude would the saviour carry out his redemptive work? (cf. verse 7.) Why?

A new Passover

Throughout the ages, the Jewish people celebrated the Passover to remember their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. However, over time, they would realize that a final sacrifice would be needed once and for all.

Just before his suffering and death Jesus, the Passover Lamb of God, celebrated the Passover with his disciples. At this occasion, the Passover would receive a brand new meaning.

Read Matthew 26:26-32 and reflect the following questions.

1. What Christian feast did Jesus institute in the place of the Passover?

2. What would now be the new sign that the blood of the Lamb of God was shed as forgiveness for sins?

3. Can we find any indication, in these verses that the Lamb of God would die in the place of others; if so, in which words of Jesus do we find this?

4. Do you think the disciples understood the full meaning of Jesus’ words at this time? (Give a reason for your answer).

A new covenant

In Matthew 26:28, Jesus tells his disciples that the “new” covenant between God and his people is sealed in his blood as a final confirmation that God has forgiven them.

^“27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, ²⁸ for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant^* between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.” ^[2]

Again, the writer of Hebrews helps us to understand this.

Read Hebrews 9:11-14

1. Name at least one difference between the sacrifices of the old covenant and the sacrifice brought by Jesus.

2. Jesus died in our place. Name at least one consequence that his death has for us as believers. (cf. vs.14).

John the Baptizer’s message

Imagine yourself being in the crowd when John announces, “Look, The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Standing next to you is someone who does not understand the meaning of these words.

· How would you explain this to him/her in a few words?

On a personal note

· What meaning does it have for you that Jesus is the Lamb of God? Try to name at least two practical things.

· In John 1:37 we read of two of John the Baptizer’s disciples reacting to John’s words by deciding to follow Jesus. What is your reaction?

· Take time to pray about this study.

* Some manuscripts read the new covenant.

[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. (2nd ed.). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

All the portraits that we are going to look at come from the Gospel of John. To understand their meaning it might be helpful to know a bit more about the Gospel itself.

John’s intention

If you compare the Gospel of John with the three other Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), you will see that it differs in many ways. Actually, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the Synoptic Gospels because they are so closely connected to each other (i.e. they describe the life of Jesus from the same point of view and often re-tell the exact same stories.).

John has a different approach. He does not focus so much on the successive events in Jesus’ life but rather on the meaning of his actions. You will find much more of Jesus’ own words in the Gospel of John than in any of the other Gospels.

What is the purpose?

John states the purpose of his Gospel clearly in John 20:30-31, “³⁰ Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”^[1]

A book of signs

As John states in John 20:30 he describes the “miraculous signs” that Jesus did throughout his ministry. The Gospel is known as a book of signs. It differs from the Synoptic Gospels in the sense that you will not find any of Jesus’ parables in John’s Gospel. Instead, he uses signs (sometimes miracles) to convey Jesus’ message of salvation.

Many of the signs have their origin in the Old Testament, so we will often refer back to the Old Testament, to discover their meaning. In this study, we will focus on a few of these signs trying to paint a portrait of Jesus.

Remember to pray as you do this study that God will open your mind and above all your heart to message of John as he paints these pictures. Also pray that you will get to know Jesus better as you discover these pictures one by one.

Information and How To

This is an open Bible Study so anyone can join us for the study. The idea is to provide an online opportunity to do Bible Study at your own pace as well as your own level. There will be opportunities to connect with other people doing the study by using the “submit comment” box provided. Please feel free to use this to discuss the study with each other. If you have questions for the writer of the Bible Study please use this box as well. I will try and provide answers at least once a week for the specific study of the week. The idea of the Bible Study is to have fun with the Word of God while growing in your faith at the same time.

It is always better to use your own printed Bible while doing Bible Study so you can make notes that you can refer back to later. But while we are working online the texts we use will only be a click away.

Whenever you see the following picture you can just click on it and it will take you to the Scripture passage (feel free to click on the picture on the left to see how it works).  If a specific passage is cited it will usually have a link so you can just click the passage and it will open to the text (Example: John 3:16).

Our hope is that the Bible Study will not only help you grow in knowledge but that it will inspire you to explore the Word of God even further.