A time of dedication

There is a feast that the Jewish nation celebrates in December, called the "Feast of Dedication" or the "Festival of Lights" or in Hebrew "Hanukkah". This feast dates from 165BC when Antiochus Epiphanies oppressed Israel to such an extent that they were not allowed to read the Torah, or worship at their temple, etc. It was a dark period in Israel's history where their religious and political freedoms were taken away from them. Eventually Antiochus raised himself up in the temple and required the people to worship him as god while offering unholy and abominable sacrifices in the temple.   The Maccabees revolted against this oppression and in a great miracle of God overthrew the oppressive government.  They rededicated and consecrated the temple for service and worship again.  In John 10:22-27 we read that Jesus attended this festival and delivered a sermon during this time in response to the Pharisee's question regarding whether He is the Messiah or not.

John 10:22-27 After this the Feast of Dedication [of the reconsecration of the temple] was taking place at Jerusalem. It was winter,  23 And Jesus was walking in Solomon’s Porch in the temple area. 24 So the Jews surrounded Him and began asking Him, How long are You going to keep us in doubt and suspense? If You are really the Christ (the Messiah), tell us so plainly and openly. 25 Jesus answered them, I have told you so, yet you do not believe Me [you do not trust Me and rely on Me]. The very works that I do by the power of My Father and in My Father’s name bear witness concerning Me [they are My credentials and evidence in support of Me].  26 But you do not believe and trust and rely on Me because you do not belong to My fold [you are no sheep of Mine].  27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. (AMPC)

It is clear that even though Jesus answered their question truthfully, they still did not believe, because they were looking at Jesus through the lenses of history and judged Him with the same measure with which they judged Antiochus Epiphanies (who also claimed to be god and therefore the Messiah). They failed to weigh up all the evidence for the case of Jesus being the real Messiah and therefore eventually missed the time when the Son of God visited them.  They did not recognize the Shepherd's voice. But there were others that did recognize His voice and the time of His visitation, as in vs. 41-42 we read:

41  And many came to Him, and they kept saying, John did not perform a [single] sign or miracle, but everything John said about this Man was true.  42 And many [people] there became believers in Him. [They adhered to and trusted in and relied on Him.]

There are a few things we can learn from this scripture and apply to our lives today.  Firstly, traditionally we are also in a festive season where we celebrate the coming of Jesus as the Messiah and the Light of the world.  The question remains, "Who do you say Jesus is?"  The Son of God?  The Saviour?  The Messiah?  It's a good time to ask Him once again to open our spiritual eyes and ears to hear these truths  and answer this question for ourselves in faith - to declare once again that we are sheep of His fold believing in Jesus as our Messiah.

Secondly, there is no temple in Jerusalem anymore - we now are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 we read "19 Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,  20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body."  Let's make a decision to dedicate ourselves, spirit soul and body (as Romans 12:1-2 encourages us to do), once again to our Lord Jesus Christ, giving the Holy Spirit a temple redeemed and made holy by the blood of the Lamb to live in.  Let us ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us any idolatry, or unholy practices that defile the temple in which He resides.  Let us be willing to cleanse our temples through repentance and use this time to rededicate our sanctuary to the Holy Spirit.

This song from Marty Goetz really brings home this concept with words beautifully crafted to encapsulate the essence of this time of the year. 

Hanukkah Song - Marty Goetz