Hanukkah

John records the many “I am” sayings of Jesus in his Gospel account of Christ’s life and ministry (8:12; 9:5; 10:7,9; 10:11,14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1,5).  These self-descriptions of Jesus are emphatic and echo God’s self-description to Moses as “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14).  In Christ’s encounters with His fellow Jews, He was misunderstood and often rejected.  Jesus said of Himself, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) and said, “I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death” (John 8:51).  To this the Jews said He was demon-possessed, since all naturally die.  They asked if Jesus thought of Himself to be “greater than our father Abraham” (v. 53) and Jesus replied, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58).  To this statement they sought to stone Him. 

Jesus proceeds to give sight to a man born blind (John 9).  The authorities investigate this miracle, and the healed man can only conclude, “Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.  If this man were not from God, He could do nothing” (John 9:33).  Afterward, Jesus speaks to the healed man to engender faith; the man believes and worships Him.  Jesus then says, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind” (John 9:39).

Jesus proceeds to speak of false shepherds who mislead their flock, and hurt them.  He however gives true access to God’s protection and provision.  “I am the gate for the sheep.  All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers . . . I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved . . . The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:7, 8a, 9a, 10, 11).

Further misgivings and unbelief divide the Jews, some marveling at Christ’s words and works.  The backdrop of the Feast of Dedication finds Jesus walking in a portion of the Temple called Solomon’s colonnade (John 10:22).  This Feast is known as Hanukkah, the festival of lights.  It was the last great deliverance the Jews had experienced when Judas Maccabeus in December, 165 BC, rededicated the Temple after its defilement by foreign intruders.   It is winter and the reception of Jesus is as chilly as ever.  The Jews – the hostile, unbelieving authorities – now encircle about Jesus and demand of Him clear testimony as to whether He is the Christ, the anointed Messiah (John 10:24).  Jesus responds, “I told you and you do not believe.  The works that I do in My Father’s name bear witness about Me, but you do not believe because you are not among My sheep” (John 10:25-26).  Jesus had affirmed His Messiahship to the Samaritan woman (John 4:26).  His teaching made His claim clear, as He had done earlier, when He said “I am the light of the world” and then proceeded to give sight to a man born blind.  He further enunciated His claim to be Christ when He said “I am!” (John 8:58) and further with His self-description as Israel’s “gate” and “good shepherd,” referencing His future atoning sacrifice when He as the good shepherd “lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). 

The failure of His opponents to believe in Him was on account of their not being of His sheep.  This was a severe indictment.  But now Jesus speaks comforting Gospel for those whose hearts were receptive to His calling.  He says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one” (John 10:27-30).  This “oneness” was of essence, of nature, not of identical persons.  Jesus is God in the flesh, the offspring of woman, as God had promised long ago (Genesis 3:15).  The election of His sheep to everlasting life through faith in Jesus’ name is His gift of grace.  The light of Hanukkah speaks of restoration to Christ’s sheep who hear His Word and follow Him, the great “I am.”