JOHN 10:22-30 TEMPLE DEDICATION

22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

In 167 B.C. the Temple had been desecrated by Antiochus IV Epiphanes leading to the Maccabean Revolt. The Feast of the Dedication (Hanukkah) is the celebration of the success of the revolt and restoration of the Temple in 164 B.C. Once again, St. John is noting a festival in order to give us the theological setting for Jesus’ actions. The Temple was not only the symbol of God’s dwelling among his people, but also the place of sacrifice and where the relationship between God and his people was mediated. Those of us who have “read ahead” in the story know that the Jews were speaking to the ultimate Temple, the Incarnate Son of God.

Additional symbolism is found in that Jesus is in Solomon’s Colonnade which was associated with the Court of the Gentiles rather than the Temple proper. Could this location indicate that the Temple was once again being desecrated and this time by the religious leaders instead of an enemy from the outside? After all, Jesus says, “…you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice…”

Listening to the voice of Jesus is of paramount importance for those who would be his people. Just as the nature of Jesus was revealed by what he did, our identity as his sheep is demonstrated by our following him. Jesus has left the Church as his visible presence in the world and poured his Spirit into his sheep. As redeemed sinners we must rededicate ourselves to the service of God every day. Each time we perform an unholy sacrifice by elevating our will above the will of God we need to return to the cross in confession and repentance.

What greater assurance can we have than the words spoken by our Shepherd: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”

Lord God, I rededicate my life to you and through the aid of the Holy Spirit intend to live a renewed life in obedience to your perfect will. May my ears ever faithfully listen to your voice so that your presence in the world might be made manifest in my life. Amen.