On this fourth Sunday of Easter, let's take a look at Jesus in a slightly different light. We just read the gospel, so let's set the scene for what was going on.

            It's winter in Jerusalem, time for Hanukkah the festival or feast of Dedication and Purification, also called the Festival of Lights. Many people are coming into town for the big celebration, the days are short, the nights are long and it rains a lot during this time of year, it's kind of miserable.

            There are cold winds are blowing across Jerusalem from the East and there seems to be a lot of activity on the Portico of Solomon, which is located on the east side of the temple. This porch is a closed covered space giving some shelter from the chilling east wind and cold rain.

            The Feast of Hanukkah commemorates the efforts of Judas Maccabeus and his followers the Maccanbeans in driving out the Syrians. Judas and his men built a new altar to worship God after defeating the Syrians. They rededicated the temple during an eight day feast. Okay, so what's so importance about all this Hanukkah stuff in Jewish thinking?

            A Syrian invasion lead by a man named Antiochus Epiphanes had taken the Temple city of Jerusalem in 167 BC. Antiochus and his troops killed around 40,000 Jewish people in the taking of the city, and sold 40,000 more Jews into slavery.

            Furthermore, he made a mockery of the Jews by defiling their Temple. For the Jews it must have been a horrible thing to experience.  Antiochus' men had taken a large sow pig and sacrificed it on the sacred alter of the temple. He then had his men boil some of the meat to make a broth from the pig. The broth was then ritually sprinkled over everything throughout temple to mock the Jews and to totally defile the temple.

            Pigs were forbidden to Jews since Moses time because the law said pigs were to be considered unclean; Deu 14:8  And the pig, because it divides the hoof but does not chew the cud, is unclean for you. You shall not eat their meat, and you shall not touch their carcasses.

            The people of Jerusalem had looked for a leader to bring them to freedom and Judas Maccabeus answered the call. He put together a rebellion and lead the Jews in driving out the Syrians in 164 BC. (BCE)

            Almost immediately after driving out the enemy, Maccabeus, in joyous praise to God, initiated this Festival of Dedication and Purification of the Temple.

            The contemporary historian Josephus wrote: “They decked, also, the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold and with shields, and the gates and chambers they renewed and hanged doors upon them:” Josephus also mentions that the feast was referred to as the feast of lights because “the entire city was lighted to express joy.” Therefore we see Hanukkah also referred to as the festival of lights.

            Palestine, at the time when Jesus came upon the earth had become a place where tradition was far more important than  following God's law. It was believed then that just living in Palestine was enough to guarantee salvation; in fact, just breathing the air was sufficient.

            Rabbis used their time quoting older and older rabbis' writings rather than reading and studying the Tanach, that is the Torah, the five Books Moses. The Navi'im, and Ketuvim, these two sections contain history the Prophets, and the Writings, of psalms, wisdom, and so forth.

            A persons rank in society was extremely important during this time, especially to those in positions of religious authority.

            Jesus had come to Jerusalem on many occasions and spoke with an authority that was totally unheard of during that time in history. Luke 4:32  The people were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. This authority threatened the influence and position of the Priests, Pharisees and Sadducees , so they constantly looked for ways to try and trip Him up. Of course they didn't realize there was no use in trying to trip up someone that knew their every thought. In the mind of the high priest they wanted to build up evidence so that they could bring a case against Jesus.

            Well, low and behold the Jews, crowded together on Solomon's porch see Jesus walking toward them through the rain. He steps out of the rain and into Solomon's porch where they immediately surround Him, and begin to question Him.

            How long are you going to keep us in suspense? They ask. If you really are the Messiah why don't you just come straight out and tell us that you are the Messiah.

            Jesus calmly replies, I have told you and you just don't listen to me or believe what I have told you. So, since you don't believe me, look at the works that I do in My Father's name; they testify clearly as to who I am. Jesus is careful not to elaborate on His miracles here. He also knows that they have all witnessed Him perform miracles right there in the temple.  But He continues, the real reason you don't believe me is because you don't belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they know and follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and therefore no one can snatch (them) it out of the Father's hand.

            Then Jesus says, speaking as God who is over all, I and The Father,  - the Creator of all things, the Judge of all men, the Father of the spirits of all flesh - are One. We are One in nature, One in all the attributes of the Godhead, and One in all the operations of those attributes; and so it is evident that some of the Jews understood what He was talking about. The Father and I are one, we are totally united in all things.

Meditation: How secure is your faith and trust in God? Scripture describes God’s word as a “lamp for our feet and a light for our steps” (Psalm 119:105). Jesus used an occasion shortly before this day to declare that he was the true light of the world (John 8:12). In his light we can see who God truly is and we can find the true path to heaven through Jesus, whose sacrificial death and resurrection we celebrate.

            In the way Jesus speaks we can get a glimpse of the tremendous trust He has in God his Father, and the tremendous trust we ought to have in him, our Good Shepherd. The security Jesus offers is an abiding relationship with the living God, and membership with his flock, the people of God. Jesus also promises the security of peace and protection from evil and the greatest harm that could befall us -- eternal destruction.

            The Lord does not spare us from all trouble. In this life we will experience pain, suffering, sickness, and death. But through these the Lord will lead us to ultimate victory and safety in his everlasting home. Even in the midst of our sufferings we can find a peace and security which no one can give except God alone. We can confidently follow the Lord wherever he leads, trusting that nothing can keep us from God if we trust in him.  The Apostle Paul writes in Romans chapter 8:38 & 39  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, Romans 8:39  nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                  Have you placed your life securely in God where it belongs?

            "Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. In you I place all my hope and I entrust myself to you completely. Increase my confidence in your saving grace and in your abiding presence." Amen.