John 10:22-25 - Lesson #105

Jesus had been speaking to the Jews during and after the Feast of Tabernacles. At the end of the feast, He stood up and said; "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). After the feast, He also made many bold statements: "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12), "before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:58), and "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11). These statements caused great debate and division about the identity of Jesus.

John 10:22-25
"Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, 'How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.'"

The Feast of Dedication was held in late November or December, two months after the Feast of Tabernacles. The feast, also called Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights, celebrated the Israelite victory against Antiochus Epiphanes in 164 BC. Epiphanes had captured Jerusalem in 170 BC. and sacrificed a pig on the sacred altar of the Temple. The Israelite army, led by Judas Maccabaeus, revolted, recaptured, and rededicated the Temple during an uprising which lasted several years.

As Jesus walked in an outer section of the Temple, the Jews pressed Him for a clear answer as to His identity. Their tone was unmistakably confrontational. The debates about Jesus had gone on long enough. Are You or are You not the Christ? The term "Christ" referred to "His Anointed" (Psalm 2:2) and was the clear identifier of the One who would free Israel from their oppressors and bring in the Kingdom of God.

Though Jesus had made many bold claims, He never actually told the Jews He was the Christ. When the woman of Samaria asked Jesus about the Christ, He replied; "I who speak to you am He" (John 4:26), but He never made such a statement to the Jews. And yet, Jesus said He already told them and they did not believe. He told them with His words, which ought to have been clear enough to be believed, and He told them with His deeds which could not be denied.

The stated purpose of the gospel of John is "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ" (John 20:31). John recorded seven different signs which pointed to Jesus as the Christ. The works of Jesus affirm the identity of Jesus, and the works of God affirm the identity of God; "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). Jesus will soon address the issue of unbelief, but His message today is clear. He has made His identity known, and we are without excuse. Let's not miss the signs which point to Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Almighty, Living God.