22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.” 

The setting is at the temple again. Scripture gives even the details of the date of the conversation that took place at the Temple. It was in the winter during the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem.  This is the same as Hanukkah or the Feast of the Lights.  This Holiday is still celebrated by Jews around our season of Christmas.  Even though this was not a Biblical celebration, it points to the grace of God during the period of the Maccabees, which we call the inter-testamental time.  This time is between the Old and New Testaments.

When the Syrian King, Antiochus Epiphanes, came into power, He did everything he could to bring in Greek practices: in culture, in worship, in language, in art, and in money. The biggest resistance of course, came from the Jewish people dedicated to the Old Testament law and seeking to honor God. The king sought to annihilate all resistors. He not only slaughters many Jews, but enraged them by desecrating the Temple with prostitution, placing up idols of Greek gods, and even killing swine and sacrificing this forbidden animal on the altar to God. 

Jews were greatly insulted and motivated in confronting this evil, as with the bravery of the fighting rebels, lead by the Maccabean brothers, were able to win back their freedom. They sought to purify the temple. They also got the only consecrated oil they could find to light the lamps in the temple, but there was only enough oil for one day.  It would take them a week before they could get more consecrated oil.

Miraculously the oil burned not for one day, or two, but for eight days. The people celebrated that God blessed them and their efforts. God visited them in this miracle. This was a time of celebration from the Greek domination and it was a holy and great moment which is still practiced today with the menorah, the candle holder with eight candles symbolizing the eight days the oil burned in the Temple.

Symbolically, during the festival of the lights, Jesus claimed to be the light that shines in darkness. He is the miracle light that never goes out. It was during the celebration of this holiday that Jesus was walking in the temple and in the area of the colonnades where rabbis and their disciples would discuss and answer questions. Jesus and His disciples walked through when they stopped Him  to confront Him.  "Tell us plainly, are you the Christ?"

His simple answer gives us important things to consider.  He answered, "I did tell you."  Jesus was one who was concerned about the timing of His revelation. There have been clear teachings all through this gospel of John about who He was. He witnessed with His words.  Jesus had said plainly in 4:26 "The woman said, "I know that Messiah called Christ is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."  or again, there pharisees were on the scene with the blind man when we hear this dialogue, Jn 9:35-37.” 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

 

We are also reminded of the clear testimony of John the Baptist at the baptism of Jesus. The Heavenly voice declared "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, Hear ye Him."

We must take Him seriously when we realize what He spoke of Himself.   Jesus didn't stop with the witness of His words, but His works as well. "Look at my miracles" He tells them. If we need any evidence of who He is, we just need to look at the great miracles He had accomplished.  People were following Him from all over because of these signs and wonders.  He fed thousands, He healed people from incurable disease. He even raised the dead.  That in and of itself pointed many people to the Christ and they believed in Him.

Isaiah 35:5,6 "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped, Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing." That was exactly what Jesus was doing.  Every one of His miracles was a claim that the Messiah had come.

Consider who gets all the glory. Jesus was continually pointing to the Father. This power, He taught was "In my Father's name." His name stands for authority and power; it stands for the authenticity of the plan of heaven. 

If a policeman comes to your door and says, "Open up, in the name of the law." There is authoritative power that gives them the right to search the house if a search warrant has been obtained by a judge. 

When Jesus performed miracles, it wasn't only the witness of His special power, but also the power in His Father's name. He came with the blessing, authority, and was sent to represent God to the people.

Application:  Hear Him. Listen to Him. Follow Him.

Prayer:  Jesus, give me eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart for Your Kingdom work.   

Dale