Jesus as the lamb of God

CONTENT

• Jesus as The Lamb of God. John 1:29-34.
• Jesus as The Door and The Good Shepherd. John 10:1-18.

JESUS AS THE LAMB OF GOD

When John the Baptist sees Jesus coming towards him he says that Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He refers to Jesus as the one that comes after him but who comes with more authority than him. He, apart from presenting Jesus as a gentle, humble, and harmless person like a lamb, also points to Him as the sacrificial lamb for the sin of the world. The ewe lamb is animal which is often sacrificed for a sin offering, to atone for the sin of the people. It is regarded as a clean animal recognizing the authority of its owner. Hence John the Baptist is predicting that Jesus will die to atone for their sins.

EVALUATION

1. Explain the meaning of Jesus as the Lamb of God.
2. Discuss the meaning of atonement of sins.

JESUS AS THE DOOR AND THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Jesus referred to Himself as the door and the Good Shepherd: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. According to John 10: 1-18, Jesus explained that a shepherd should be sympathetic with his flock, brave to protect them from dangers and be resourceful enough to provide for their needs, and also be a good leader for the sheep. He must be observant to identify them individually. The true shepherd enters or leaves through the door but a thief will enter or leave through other means to avoid being seen and apprehended. The true shepherd will also be familiar with the sheep and be recognized by them. They are expected to run away from the thief who appears as a shepherd – the false shepherd.

This means that the people chosen by God can be reached by Him through Jesus Christ while God also can be reached only through Jesus because He is the intermediary between God and man. Hence those who attempt to obtain salvation except through Jesus are thieves and robbers. Jesus is all sufficient for salvation.

EVALUATION

1. Explain the meaning of a good shepherd.
2. Who does this lesson refer to as “thief or robber”?

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. Discuss the roles of pastors in modern churches that signify them as shepherd.
2. Who are the sheep?
3. Discuss the roles of the sheep to the Shepherd.
4. Mention four dangers that can face the sheep when they stray behind the Shepherd

READINNG ASSIGNMENT

1. Essential C.R.S. for Senior Secondary Schools by Orovwuje B.O. and Okoli E,U.
2. The Holy Bible (R.S.V.)

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. Who among the following is the Good Shepherd?  (a) Moses  (b)  Jesus  (c)  Pastor   (d)  the righteous man.
2. All these are robbers except  (a) satan(b)  demons   (c)  priests  (d)  witches.
3. Lambs are used as sacred  objects for sacrifice because (a) they are domestic animals  (b) they are friendly with people  (c) they are honoured by God  (d)  they are meek and tender.
4. Jesus as the Lamb of God means (a) sacrifice of heaven  (b)  sacrifice for all mankind  (c) the first sacrifice among many.  (d)  the sacrifice to the devil.
5. Who  among these is referred to as the door?  (a) Joshua  (b) Christians  (c)  Lucifer  (d)  Jesus.

THEORY

1. Explain how the shepherd relates with sheep.
2. What are the expected roles of the sheep?