An Appointed Time

The Seven “I Am” Statements &

Their Relationship To The Six Days Before Passover

Welcome to Awake Glorious Bride, Awake! It has been a busy time for us as we prepare for the Summer season here in the Pacific Northwest. We added new chicks and ducklings to our flock which has required us to expand our existing coop and run. In addition, veggie and flower seeds were started indoors in March and the starts are rapidly growing in earnest expectation of the last frost to be on schedule so they can be planted in the ground.

I share the above to draw attention to: A new season, new life, growth, and an appointed time.

Have you ever truly considered how interwoven the word of Yahweh is? I marvel and stand in awe of His wonderful works. This post shares just one of His many facets. It pertains to the seven “I Am” statements Yeshua said and their relationship to the six days before Him becoming our Passover Lamb.

As you watch the video, listen to the audio, or read the blog, turn your heart and spirit to the Holy Spirit and enjoy the word of Yahweh for you. The video and audio are broken down into 3 parts with the total time about 1.5 hours. The blog has the Paleo Hebrew Chart for reference.

Part 1 Video

Part 2 Video

Part 3 Video

Audio Part 1

Audio Part 2

Audio Part 3

– AN APPOINTED TIME –

The Seven “I Am” Statements & Six Days Before Passover

Happy Passover! It is a perfect time to talk about our precious Passover Lamb, Yeshua HaMashiach, and celebrate the divine revelation of His appointed time. 

Last year, we did a blog post on Passover and made the case for celebrating it from the perspective that The Kingdom of Heaven is like Leaven (Read it here). In this blog, we want to look at the relationship between Yeshua’s seven “I AM” statements in the Book of John and the six days prior to His Crucifixion and Resurrection. In addition, we will connect this relationship to the message of Elohim’s plan for the salvation of mankind in revealed in Genesis 1.

Read John 1:1-5 below and then let’s connect it back to Genesis 1:1-2 so we have an understanding of why John began his gospel this way and his deductive argument for the deity of Yeshua. This will be our foundation for the seven “I Am” statements.

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 BRB)

Two things to know before going forward:

1) The word ‘Beginning’ in Paleo Hebrew language is ‘Bereshit’. Definition of Bereshit is below but let’s first look at ‘Word’.

2) ‘Word’ in Hebrew is ‘Dabar’ (pronounced Daw bar) and means “to speak; to declare”.

In Paleo Hebrew language, Dabar consist of three letters with plural meanings (see chart below).

Dalet (Door, Tent, Pathway), 

Beyt (House), 

Resh (First, Head/Person or Authority)

It’s message in Paleo Hebrew is:

The door or pathway to the house of Authority (Yahweh).

Genesis 1 and the creation story has been one of the most controversial books in the Bible; however, once we understand the message originally given via the original Paleo Hebrew language, the rest of the word (bible) becomes a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path (Psalm 119:105).

Beginning – (English Def. – The point in time and space which something starts, aka chronos) In the English language translation we tend look for a chronos timeline explaining “in the beginning.” However, the Paleo Hebrew word for beginning is ‘Bereshit’ and Bereshit gives us a message that can not be ignored. 

Is this a hidden mystery? The answer is Yes and No. The word Mystery is mentioned 28 times in the New Testament, but what does the word Mystery actually mean?

Strong’s Lexicon #3466

mustérion: Mystery

Original Word: μυστήριον, Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: mustérion, Pronunciation: moos-TAY-ree-on
Phonetic Spelling: (moos-tay’-ree-on)
Definition: Mystery
Meaning: a mystery, secret, of which initiation is necessary; in the NT: the counsels of God, once hidden but now revealed in the Gospel or some fact thereof; the Christian revelation generally; particular truths or details of the Christian revelation.

3466 mystḗrion (the root of the English term, “mystery”) – mystery. In the Bible, a “mystery” (3466 /mystḗrion) is not something unknowable. Rather, it is what can only be known through revelation, i.e. because God reveals it.

To find the mystery (or the counsel of Yahweh) in the first sentence of Genesis, we need to look at the original Paleo Hebrew language from which Genesis was originally written. What we will discover is Yahweh’s plan for the salvation of mankind declared from the beginning. Yahweh has a divine order in all things He has purposed. 

Isaiah 46:10 says, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’. 

In Matthew 13:11-12, Jesus said, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.

As noted above, Strong’s Concordance #3466 says: a “mystery” is not something unknowable. Rather, it is what can only be known through revelation, i.e. because God reveals it. 

Once Holy Spirit of Truth begins to reveal the mysteries of Yeshua and the kingdom of heaven, it will become easier to unveil them in scripture. The word truly is living and like a two-edge sword dividing the soul and spirit. 

Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning (Bereshit) God (Elohim) created the heavens (Hassamayim) and the earth (Ha’ahretz).

The word Bereshit (pronounced – Bə ra shith) consists of six Paleo Hebrew letters: Beyt (House, Family, In), Resh (Head, Authority, First), Aleph (Ox, Strength, Leader), Shin (Teeth, Consume, Destroy), Yod (Arm and Hand of God, Work, Deed), Tav (Cross, Covenant, Mark/Sign). Let’s break down the letters as they join together: (see chart above)

Beyt + Resh = Son (pronounced Bar) Yeshua is Yah’s family, aka his Son.

Beyt + Resh + Aleph = Son of God (pronounced Bara); verb.- Create. 

Aleph + Shin = Fire (pronounced Aish) Consume, destroy, strength/divine power

Shin + Yod = Destroy by Hand/work/deed (pronounced Shay); sacrificial offering or gift

Shin + Yod + Tav = Appoint, to place, to set (pronounced Shiyth); destroy by work on cross for a sign.

We see a message with just one word using the original Paleo Hebrew language; hence, the first mystery of the Bible revealed in Genesis 1:1. 

The Son (Yeshua) of a leader (God) destroy by fire (sin) by His work (on cross)(sacrificial offering) for a sign (new covenant at appointed time).

“In the beginning” or the word “Bereshit” is saying, “The Son (Yeshua), the Son of God will destroy sin (by divine power/fire)with His finished work on the cross (the sacrificial Lamb, gift of salvation) at the appointed time.”

• Yahweh’s plan for creation was told from the beginning of time. We can now understand the divine power of Yeshua’s last words on the cross when He said, “It is finished” in John 19:30. It was, is, and is to be about Yah’s appointed time for His master plan for mankind.
• Sin was destroyed with the precious blood of Yeshua, the lamb without blemish or spot. He was known before the foundation of the world, and was revealed in the last times for our sake. (1 Peter 1:19-20)
• Yeshua is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. (Rev 13:8) 
• Yeshua is the Passover Lamb.
• Upon His second coming, all those not written in the Book of the Lamb will be put in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:13-15)

Now that we understand the message of Genesis 1, when we read John 1:1-5 we can connect the divine revelation because we know there is an appointed time that has been spoken or declared for the Messiah to bring salvation to mankind. He is the way to the house of Yahweh; hence the reason John said, “In beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John knew the original message of Bereshit and now you do too! 

Let’s move on to the seven “I Am” statements that Yeshua identified Himself as in the book of John and how they relate to the six days prior to Passover. Based on what we’ve learned from Genesis 1, our focus is on an appointed time. 

1. I Am The Bread of Life (John 6:30-40) & Six Days Before Passover

30Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 

32Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” 35And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Look at verse 33: For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Now look at verse 40: And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Yeshua is foretelling of an appointed time of ‘the last day’.

Bread is symbolic for sustenance for life. In Matthew 4, we read of Yeshua being tempted by Satan after 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. Satan says, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” Yeshua answers, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Deut. 8:3)

1a. Six Days Before The Passover

1Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 
(John 12:1-2)

Bethany in Hebrew means: House of figs or House of affliction. Keep this in mind as we continue.

It was on this evening that Mary anointed Yeshua’s feet in preparation for His burial. Feet are also symbolic for washing with the Word and preaching the gospel of peace.

3Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. (John 12:3)

The relationship between the two is that Yeshua who is the Bread of Life and gives life to the world, chose to go to Bethany and stay with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Of all the places He could have stayed and broke bread (had supper) at on that night, there was a divine symbolic meaning as to why it was with His friend Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. Note: Yeshua did not resurrect Lazarus back to life from death and then have Lazarus ascend into heaven, as that was Yeshua’s victory over death. Lazarus was raised from the dead so as to be a witness for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it. (John 11:4) In other words, so that Yeshua’s deity-ship would be demonstrated and the world would see the power of resurrected life. Just at Lazarus was given renewed life from death, so are believers in Yeshua who die to self and are given renewed life while here on earth and eternity in the Kingdom of Yahweh on the last day. 

2. I Am the Light of the World (John 8:12) & Five Days Before Passover

12Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Yeshua spoke these words while at the Mt. of Olives where people came to Him in the temple and He taught them. This is also where the woman caught in adultery was spared from death when Yeshua said, “He who has no sin may cast the first stone” and her accusers went away.

2a. Five Days Before the Passover (While John mentions this, Luke and Mark’s gospel also gives an account)

Yeshua had arrived at Bethany the evening before, had supper with His friends, and on this morning He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilling the prophecy of Zachariah 9:9. Just outside the City, many who had heard Yeshua was coming to Jerusalem shouted out praises saying, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
10Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!”  (Mark 11:7-10)

When Yeshua and his twelve disciples entered the city of Jerusalem, some of the Pharisees rebuked Him demanding that He silence the crowd but He responded to them with a very interesting word. 

He said, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Luke 19:40)

He then looked around wept over the city, saying:

“If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” (Luke 19:42-45)

The relationship between these two are that we see the multitude who sought the Light and we see the Pharisees (the very ones who should have known) who wanted to silence those who followed the Light to the city. Because they chose to not know the “appointed time” of their visitation and follow the Light, Yeshua spoke a word (dabar) that a great darkness would come upon the City of Jerusalem. 

Yeshua and His disciples returned to Bethany in the evening.

3. I Am the Door (John 10:1-10) & Four Days Before Passover

1“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

7Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

3a. Four Days Before Passover

Yeshua and His disciples departed from Bethany to make their way back to the city of Jerusalem to the temple. This would be a very busy day. Along their way, Yeshua looks for fruit to eat on the fig tree. 

12The next day, when they had left Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if there was any fruit on it. But when He reached it, He found nothing on it except leaves, since it was not the season for figs. 14Then He said to the tree, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again.” And His disciples heard this statement. (Matthew 21:12-14)

With Bethany meaning ‘house of figs or house of affliction’, if we look at the above scripture from this perspective, we understand why Yeshua chose Bethany to stay the week before the crucifixion as He knew the suffering (affliction) He was about to endure. In addition, Figs represent spiritual fruitfulness, peace/safe dwelling, and abundance. Yeshua found no fruit on the fig tree and declared ‘may no one ever eat of your fruit again’, but why would He say this when it was not the season for figs? 

Recall in Genesis 1:1 that Bereshit speaks (debar) of an appointed time. The word ‘season’ in Hebrew is Kairos and it means “appointed time.” The question still begs the answer of why Yeshua made this declaration for his disciples to hear—knowing they would not yet understand. Could it be He was looking or had a hunger for righteousness but found none in Jerusalem (city of peace)? As we continue, keep in mind “May no one ever eat of your fruit again.”

Read again the “I Am the Door” statement above and then see what happened after the fig tree incident. They entered the city of Jerusalem (means foundation or city of peace) and went to the temple. When He arrived He was filled with a righteous anger at what He saw going on inside the temple courts.

15When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. 16And He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 

18When the chief priests and scribes heard this, they looked for a way to kill Him. For they were afraid of Him, because the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching. 

19And when evening came, Jesus and His disciples went out of the city. (Matthew 21:15-19)

Note: Think about this the next time you go to what is suppose to be His house of prayer for all nations and find it a marketplace. It’s a pretty big abomination in the eyes of Yeshua. I also want to add here that doves also represent the Holy Spirit, so while they were selling doves (most probably for sacrifices), there are those who are selling the gifts of the Holy Spirit for $$.

Yeshua made the declaration that His house will be a house of prayer for all nations. We see a major shift from the nation who had rejected Him as their Messiah (Israelites and Jews who rejected Him and the Pharisees who had made His house a den of robbers) to extend to all nations (Gentiles). Yahweh had been contending with this corruption for years. The prophet Malachi had prophesied against the corrupt priests for being robbers and thieves 400 years prior and he declared Yeshua’s name shall be great among all nations (Malachi 1:11). 

11For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 1:11 NKJ)

The relationship of the ‘I Am the Door’ statement to the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple is we see that Yeshua had found a lack of spiritual fruitfulness and corruption within Jerusalem, the Pharisees, scribes, and temple court. He was prophesying that that the fruit of the Jews was out of season and the Law was about to be upended, for it was the appointed time or season for renewed spiritual fruitfulness, peace and abundance (a new covenant). 

Yeshua astonished the crowd with His teaching and parables and this further infuriated the scribes (teachers) and chief priests as they plotted to kill Him. Yeshua, knowing the hour, then makes an announcement to His disciples:

1Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, 2“You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (Matthew 26:1-2)

In John’s gospel account, it says:

23But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. (John 12:23-26 NKJ)

The Word about the ‘Appointed Time’ had been made public. Until then, throughout the New Testament, we read and heard “My hour has not yet come” or “My time is not yet here.” He who has eyes to see and ears to hear…

The relationship here between the “I Am the Door” statement and the events that took place on that fourth day before Passover is that only through Him, can we have an abundant life and safe dwelling place. Yeshua and His disciples returned to Bethany that evening.

4. I Am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18) & Three Days Before Passover

11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

17“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

4a. Three Days Before Passover

Yeshua and His disciples went to Jerusalem for another full day of His teaching. The crowds were gathered and Yeshua, knowing His hour was nearing, was dedicated to sharing more about the kingdom of heaven. More parables were told (including the parable of the Marriage Feast) and the interpretations given to His disciples. In addition, He encountered more conflicts with Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians (Matt 22:15-45) and then Yeshua speaks the seven ‘woes’ over the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocrisy, calling them out for not having been good shepherds over Yahweh’s flock. Before the seven “woes”, He said:

1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Note: Yeshua is addressing the actions and characters of the scribes and Pharisees, as they where charged with teaching the Law of Moses in its correct manner to those in Judaism. Many get confused and think they can not call anyone a ‘teacher’ such as an educator in school, or call their birth/adoptive dad a ‘father’. What often is missed in the contextual translation is that Yeshua had just given the greatest commandment in the law, i.e. “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You  shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)  The above two commandments cover the ten commandments in their entirety. Over centuries, scribes and Pharisees had added their own laws to the Law and their actions were evident and needed a strong rebuke.

Yeshua’s words were (and are) intended to be a warning to them. To do Yeshua HaMashiach’s work in the world, our words and actions must always mirror our hearts and be in accordance to His word. Inconsistency is to the peril of the people. If they see it in their teachers, they will eventually believe that it is permissible in themselves, thereby dishonoring the commandments of Yah. Malachi also addressed this. (Read To Tithe or Not to Tithe here as we break down Malachi’s prophecy to the priests.)

For the seven Woes, please read Matthew 23. 

The relationship between the “I Am the Good Shepherd” statement and the corrupt scribes and Pharisees are evident on the third day before the Passover, but there is one more thing that happened that day that connects the fifth “I Am” statement.

5. I Am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26) & Three Days Before Passover

25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 

In John 11, we read how Yeshua had raised His friend, Lazarus, from the dead in the town of Bethany. We know this is why He chose to stay in Bethany with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha six days prior to Passover. The above scripture is Yeshua letting Mary know that there is an earth and eternal life in Him.

After the woes spoken over the scribes and Pharisees and all the contending of the day, Yeshua and His disciples left the temple and went to the Mt. Of Olives. It was there He lamented over Jerusalem because of their disbelief. We need to realize that He had spent the previous three years giving them every opportunity to see it was their hour of visitation of the Messiah whom they had been teaching about in the synagogues.

37“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” (Matthew 23:37-39)

He then spent time privately with His disciples, answering their questions and telling them of the end times (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) and what was to come. They all returned to Bethany in the evening.

The relationship between the “I Am the Good Shepherd and I Am the Resurrection and the Life” statements and the three days prior to the Passover is as Yeshua contended with the Pharisees and those questioning His authority, He told the parable of the Vineyard Owner (Mark 12:1-12, Matthew 21:33-46, Luke 20:9-19) which symbolically spoke of His death and resurrection and eternal life. 

6. I Am the Way, Truth, and Life (John 14-1-7) & Two Days Before Passover

1“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  7“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

5Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

This is a full circle moment from John 1:1-5 and what was shared above about the Word.

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 BRB)

Recall that the word ‘Word’ in Hebrew is ‘Dabar’ and Dabar means “to speak or to declare”.

In Paleo Hebrew language, the message is: The door or pathway to the house of the first or beginning Authority.

6a. Two Days Before Passover

Two key events happened on this day:

1) Leaders plotted to kill Yeshua and Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to plan his betrayal of Yeshua.

1Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, 2“You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

3Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. 5But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.” (Matthew 26:1-5)

—

14Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him. (Matthew 26:14-16)

2) Yeshua’s head was anointed in Bethany (The House of Affliction)

6And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. 8But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”

10But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Matthew 26:6-13)

To clarify, this event is separate from the feet anointing event that occurred six days prior spoken of in the book of John. You can see the difference in the two events in preparation for Yeshua’s burial with one being anointing His feet and one anointing His head. The anointing on His head represented the pure oil of Yeshua and Him being the Head over the body (church) upon His resurrection. 

The relationship between the “I Am the Way, Truth, and Life” statement and the second day before Passover was the preparation for burial and the assurance of resurrection life. Yeshua knew that within hours he would be offering up His life for the salvation of mankind to be reconciled by to Yahweh. His death and resurrection would be the only way, His Word the truth and path to His Father’s house, and those who believed in Him would have eternal life. 

7. I Am The True Vine (John 15:1-17) & One Day Before Passover

1“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. 2He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 

5I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples. 

9As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. 10If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. 11I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 

12This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 

14You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 17This is My command to you: Love one another. 

7a. One Day Before Passover

Events of the day:

1) Preparation day. Yeshua’s appointed time had come and it would begin commencement at the Passover meal.

17On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 

18He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’” 19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. (Matthew 26:17-19)

The “certain man” is not named, suggesting divine preparation and the fulfillment of God’s plan. This reflects similar instances where Jesus demonstrates knowledge of specific details, such as the colt for His triumphal entry.

2) Yeshua announces His betrayer. As they were eating the Passover meal, Yeshua knows his betrayer and why He must be betrayed so as to fulfill what had be written. 

17When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18And while they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you who is eating with Me will betray Me.” 

19They began to be grieved and to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I?” 

20He answered, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping his hand into the bowl with Me. 21The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” (Mark 14:17-20) (also Matt. 26:20-25)

(Note. Yeshua made a profound comment here that not only refers to Judas betraying Him, but look at what was involved. MONEY! Then Yeshua says, “the one who is dipping his hand in to the bowl with Me.” Beloved, This is also a foretelling of those who dip their hands in the bowl for money are betrayers. Woe to those by whom Yeshua is betrayed by stealing that which is Yeshua’s).

3) Yeshua institutes a new covenant. He he speaks of the blood of the covenant poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. This would be the final blood sacrifice that would ever need to be made.

26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” 27Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

4) Yeshua washes His disciples feet. Although they did not understand it at the time, it represented their serving one another in humility. Feet are also symbolic (part of the armor of Yah) for the gospel of peace to be shared throughout the nations or the make disciples of nations command.

1It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end. 2The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 

3Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God. 4So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist. 5After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him. 

6He came to Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” 

7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 

8“Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him. 

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” 

9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” 

10Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11For He knew who would betray Him. That is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.” 

12When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His outer garments, He reclined with them again and asked, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. 16Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:1-17)

5) Final declarations and teachings to disciples. Yeshua told his disciples they would be scattered and Peter would deny knowing him three times that night. He declares that He is the True Vine (see above “I Am the True Vine” statement from John 15:1-17.) This was His seventh “I Am” statement in the book of John, and the number seven means complete, perfection, whole.

6) Prayer in Garden of Gethsemane. After the supper, they went to the brook of Cedron (or Kidron). It was there, Yeshua would no longer be the great Teacher, but would become the great Sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Cedron is significant in that from there they could see the temple and in Old Testament days, it was there where many Lambs had been slain for the Passover meals. The Holy Spirit of Truth would soon come. Yeshua’s prayer for His disciples and the those in the world who would believe in Him is one of pure oil, pure power, and pure love.

1When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. 2For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. 4I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. 

6I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. 8For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 

9I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours. 10All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified. 11I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. 

Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one. 12While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. 

13But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them. 14I have given them Your word and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 

15I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. 18As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth. 

20I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 

22I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— 23I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me. 

24Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 

25Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me. 26And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”

One the first day of the feast of unleavened bread on that glorious day in 30AD, Yeshua HaMashiach became The Passover Lamb, the unleavened bread and an fulfillment of Yahweh’s appointed time (Bereshit). Until the next appointed time of His return, we will follow Him, for Yeshua is the Bread of Life, the Light of the world, the Door, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection Life, the Way, Truth, and Life, and the TRUE VINE. We are His branches and only in our abiding in Him can we bear much fruit and live an abundant life in His grace and love. 

The relationship between the seven “I Am” statements and the six days prior to Passover is in direct relationship to our relationship with Him. We are in the fig tree season!  If you have not accepted Yeshua HaMasiach (Jesus Christ) as your king and Savior, I invite you to do so now. We are in an appointed time. Yeshua loves you and gave His life for you. All that is required is that you believe He did this for your sins and rose from the grave unto eternal life so that you can live eternally with Him. Make the decision today to follow Him and ask Him to deliver you from your sins. He is faithful to set all those free who will truly call out to Him. He is waiting at the door of your heart. Please don’t wait to let Him in.

Blessings to all and until next time, know you are loved. Will you help be a voice that awakens others by liking and sharing this post? Thank you.🙏

All scripture is taken from New King James Version unless noted otherwise.