Jesus continues to confront the people with the truth that he and the Father are one and that he has been sent by the Father to be the true Messiah King of Israel. Jesus tells the people if they will not believe him because of his teachings then believe because of the miraculous signs of his authority.
In Jerusalem for Hanukkah Jesus words reach new heights of controversy. Approximately 200 years before Jesus’ ministry Israel had been overrun by an invading army. The army occupied Israel, desecrated the Temple and put the people under oppression. A man named Judas Maccabaeus led a revolt against the foreign army and defeated them. The people made Maccabaeus their king and his family ruled Israel until the Roman invasion 100 years later.
Maccabaeus led the people to purify the Temple and to hold a festival every year to commemorate the rededication of the Temple. This festival, Hanukkah, which means dedication, is held at a time on the Jewish calendar that is close to our December 25 date. Against this backdrop, where the people are remembering their last true and brave King that fought the invaders, Jesus is claiming to be the Messiah King. But he is not leading a revolt against the Romans. The people don’t want a shepherd; they want someone to fight for them.
Jesus was fighting for them, and us. He was fighting the forces of evil; he was fighting sin and death. In the midst of Jesus’ proclamation about being the Good Shepherd Jesus gives his followers their greatest assurance. His followers will live eternally with him. His followers can rest in the absolute assurance that they are safe and secure in the grasp of Jesus. Jesus says that in our choosing to follow Jesus, the Father gives us to Jesus. And, because the Father and Jesus are one, we now find ourselves safely in the Father’s hand.
I believe it was this assurance from Jesus that inspired the Apostle Paul to close the beautiful chapter eight of Romans with these words: “If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? No, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
Reading for 23-Mar-12 John 11:1-16
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