Fourth & Fifth Day — I’m doing Hanukkah this year. Here’s why:
In the writings of the New Testament, there is a feast called ‘The Feast of Dedication” (the enkainia)(John 10:22), and that feast is the backdrop for some of Jesus’ most striking declarations.
If you haven’t read ‘The First Day,’ you can do that here.
If you haven’t read ‘The Second Day,’ you can do that here.
If you haven’t read ‘The Third Day,’ you can do that here.
Returning to the 10th chapter of the Gospel of John, we find Jesus gathering at the Feast of Dedication or Festival of Lights (Hanukkah).
“Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.” (John 10:22–24)
Having already discussed Yeshua’s first 3 striking declarations, I’d like to move on to the 4th and 5th:
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28)
and
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. (John 10:29)
Imagine, if you will, an itinerant Rabbi of sorts (Yeshua) participating in the celebration of Hanukkah and making these bold declarations about his relationship to Father God. He was, in a sense, crashing His own party. Looking ahead a bit, we know that Jesus so infuriated his ‘opponents,’ that they wanted to kill him. It’s important to understand that because it clues us in to how his audience understood his words and how we should as well.
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28) — Wait a minute! Who gives eternal life? What is the nature of Yeshua’s relationship with the Father? What makes Jesus’ mission any more ‘important’ than theirs? What makes him more right or righteous than they?
I could just imagine the buzz of questions popping into the minds and hearts of those standing around listening. The tectonic paradigm shifting must have been incredible. Everyone is gathered to celebrate the victory some 170 years ago and honoring the Father for the rededication of the temple. They are acknowledging that Father has once again confirmed that were His people and that He was guarantor of their place in the world to come. And yet, Jesus says:
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28)
Yeshua is claiming that HE is the one who gives eternal life. HE is the guarantor of their place in the world to come. HE is the one who will protect, defend, and keep them safe. And, HE is the one who holds the faithful in HIS hand.
Wow! Who is this man?
He finishes that thought by saying “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all.” (John 10:29) Jesus unabashedly claims that God is his father! Tomorrow’s statement will really ‘get this party started.’ There is much to meditate on in these texts. If you’re like me, you probably have more questions than answers. But, I will be wrapping things up on the last day of Hanukkah, and I will give you some solid takeaways.
I am doing Hanukkah this year because I really wanted to understand why Jesus would make these bold declarations during this holiday. I doing Hanukkah this year because I believe there are some great lessons to learn about not being conquered by apathetic secularism and pluralism. I believe that we all let outside influences defile our temples and that there are ‘appointed times’ for rededication. Finally, I am doing Hanukkah this year because it is a learning experience. I hope you’ll continue with me for the remaining days. Click on the little clapping hands in the left column or leave a comment. I’ll see you all tomorrow for Yeshua’s most striking declaration yet.
Shalom
