Jesus Goes To Hanukkah

John 10:22-30

22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 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. 30 I and the Father are one.”

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In 168 B.C., Jerusalem was controlled by a Greek regime. There was a revolt led by the family of the Maccabees, and Jerusalem was freed from its pagan rulers. The Temple was rededicated to the Lord, and miraculously the oil in the Temple lamps did not run out.

The Jews began to commemorate that event and called the holiday the Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah.

Here, Jesus visits the temple during the Feast of Dedication and is confronted again by people seeking to know if He is the Christ. His reply is simple: “it should be obvious from what I’m doing! Everyone who listens to me will receive eternal life.”