John 10:22-24, The Feast of Dedication

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." 

More than a century and a half before Jesus was born, Antiochus Epiphanes, a Syrian king, ruled Israel from 175-164 B.C. He loved all things Greek and hated the Jewish religion. He declared war on Israel, defeated God’s people, and occupied Jerusalem. It was said he killed 80,000 men and took 80,000 people into slavery. He made the outer courts of the temple into a brothel, filled the temple with idols, and used the altar in the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices to Zeus and other pagan gods. Judaism was made illegal. If you had a copy of the Torah, you could be put to death. If a mother circumcised her son, she would be subject to crucifixion with her son around her neck. Judas Maccabeus and his brothers rose up in response to this persecution, captured Jerusalem, and took back the temple. They established the Feast of Dedication to remember this victory. This holiday is also known as Hanukkah and the Feast of Lights because they put lights in the temple and in the homes of believing families to remember how God gave them back the Temple. 

Jesus is in the temple for this feast and the Jews want to know if he will be a Messiah and political king in the line of Judas Maccabeus. They are looking for someone who will kick the pagan Romans out of the city. They are not looking for a Good Shepherd. It is winter and the chill between Jesus and his detractors is only getting colder. 

Lord Jesus, thank you that you are not a political or military leader who meets human standards set by creatures. Instead, you are a self-sacrificing shepherd who meets divine standards established by God the Creator. Through your Spirit help us to know you and love you as you are.