Do Not Keep Us in Suspense

Lesson #171

With this lesson we will open the next major section of Chapter 10, in which Jesus asserts his deity by claiming that he and the Father are one. We will break it up into lesson sized pieces, with the first piece covering John 10:22 – 25a. “At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon” (John 10:22 – 23 ESV). We now move to a different time and location. It was the time of the Feast of Dedication. I am tempted to simply define what this feast was and move on, but I think we need to stop here for a thought. This is not the first feast John has referenced to give a better understanding of Jesus. For example, Passover gives background to the Exodus themes running through the Bread of Life discourse in the sixth chapter. John used the Feast of Booths as background for the discourse and drama in chapter 7 – 9. The use of this feast is not quite as clear, but if we look ahead to what follows it seems to create a fitting setting for that discussion and allows John to continue to emphasize Jesus’ fulfillment of the feasts, and in particular of the temple.

The Feast of Dedication, which was once called the Feast of the Maccabees, is today called Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights. This feast refers back to the re-dedication of the Jewish temple after it had been defiled with pagan sacrifices and rituals. The Festival of Lights is reference back to the one jar of undefiled olive oil found in the temple, which was used to light the menorah in the temple. This oil lasted for eight days, allowing time to make more olive oil to keep the light burning. As the light of the world, Jesus walks into the temple and will soon declare that he and the Father are one and that he is the replacement of that temple, which will soon be destroyed.

Since it was winter, Jesus did not teach outside, but inside, in the area referred to as the colonnade of Solomon. “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.”” (John 10:24 ESV). Did they gather around Jesus to have him clearly explain if he is the Christ or not or are they hoping he will say something that will cause the gathering to become a mob with the desire to kill him. I don’t think this gathering is entirely friendly. After all they have seen Jesus do and say, their request seems to indicate a level of hostility. They want a direct answer, not one couched in a parable, that can be used to either condemn him or believe in him.

“Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe”” (John 10:25a ESV). Jesus points his finger back to the people and says to them, “I told you, and you do not believe.” This is sure to increase their anger, but what Jesus then says, we will see later, brings them to the boiling point. A final comment before leaving; What can be very plain to one person can be a complete mystery to another. Think about what you as a believer see as being clear, but to an unbeliever it makes no sense. The natural man is unable to understand spiritual things, but to the one who is spiritually alive it becomes clear. As we witness and teach, we must not forget this because like with Jesus before these people, what we say may be accepted as truth or it may result in persecution against you, as it did with Jesus.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I find that the closer I walk with you and the deeper I abide in you, the easier it is to understand your word. Thank you for the indwelling Spirit that gives this understanding. Thank you considering me worthy to entrust me with this growing understanding. I pray that you will give me clarity as I write, that my readers would be blessed with a greater understanding of your word and desire to walk more closely with you.