Jesus’ Busy Feast
Jesus comes to the Feast of dedication; also known as Hanukkah. During this feast, He is very busy. Healing two times on Sabbaths and riling the religious leaders.
During His final visit to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication, Jesus really steps on toes. This is the beginning of the Pharisees dogged determination to see Jesus dead. They wanted to stop Him before, but now, they want Him dead. So much so that they picked up stones and were going to stone Him to death.
Sandwiched into this celebration are two miracles that Jesus did on a Sabbath, or holy day. That would put them at the beginning and end of the celebration. I cannot guarantee that this is the timeline, but it is what makes sense to me. Hopefully, my interpretation of the timeline won’t offend too many people. So, let’s rejoin Jesus and His disciples as they make their way to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication.
Holy Spirit, I know that I keep getting distracted today. Help me focus on Your story and become part of it. Let me see what You see. And help me to take something from this story for my own life. I wish I was the ‘blind from birth’ man that Jesus healed. I’m not blind, but I deal with more than a fair share of vision issues. But Your grace is sufficient!
♥ ♦ ♥
Jesus’ disciples are excited about going to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication. It isn’t one of the feasts that the Jewish people are commanded by the Lord to observe, so the population in Jerusalem should be more manageable. Jesus and His group have been staying near Bethany, so they go daily to the Temple instead of staying in Jerusalem.
The night before the feast begins, Jesus tells His disciples the plan for the day.
“I want to be in Jerusalem right after the morning sacrifice.”
“Why, Teacher?”
“There is something I want to do first thing in the morning. Prepare what will be needed tonight so that we may leave at first light.”
Before retiring for the night, everything is ready for the morning. With the first rays of dawn, Jesus and His group set out. As they near the city, instead of going straight in, Jesus turns north along the wall.
“Lord, where are we going” asks Thomas.
“There is someone I need to speak to.”
“Who is it?”
“You will see.” Jesus keeps walking. He is bound for the Sheep’s Gate.
As they approach, the stench of human refuse fills their nostrils. Just outside of the Sheep’s gate is the pool of Bethesda. It is home to MANY of the most desperate people in Israel. The blind, the lame, and the paralyzed, and the sick make their homes here, living under the colonnades surrounding the pool. Slaves clean the refuse twice a week but their ministrations can’t keep up with the waste being generated by the multitude of people.
Jesus walks straight into the midst of the sick and suffering lying all around. None of them know Him. Most of those in this place haven’t even heard of Him. Their sole focus is in watching for the waters to be stirred. They have no time to focus on anything else. For, when the waters are stirred, the first one into the pool will be healed.
Many of those following Jesus hang back. They don’t want to come any closer, but they won’t totally abandon Jesus either. “What is He doing” is whispered throughout His followers.
Jesus smiles to Himself as He hears their hearts. He walks straight up to a man who has become almost a permanent fixture here at the pool. His name is David. He has been here for thirty-eight years! He still holds onto hope that, someday, he will be the one healed in the pool.
David’s face is weathered and weary. His elbows and forearms callused from dragging himself about. He is filthy from head to toe as no one comes to tend to him anymore. And he has almost given up hope. He stays because he knows no where else to go.
His family deposited him here after he was seriously injured. He had been tending the sheep when one bolted in fear. He was not paying attention to the sheep when it happened. Only after he saw a flash of white speed by did he realize what was happening. He chased after it, but lost his footing and fell down an embankment. When he awoke from his fall, he couldn’t feel his legs anymore. His family couldn’t afford to care for him, so they brought him here, where he lived by begging, waiting for a chance to enter the pool when the waters are stirred.
Jesus looks down at David with more compassion that he has ever seen in his life. David is hoping for a coin or two. Maybe even some bread so he won’t have to drag himself to the market. Before he raises his hand in supplication, Jesus speaks directly to him.
“Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6).
David looks up in utter despair and defeat. “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me” (John 5:7).
Jesus bends down and looks David straight in the eyes. His voice ringing with conviction, Jesus says; “Get up, take up your bed, and walk” (John 5:8).
David’s eyes go wide as his body begins to receive sensations from his legs again. He can feel his strength returning as well. His contracted muscles lengthen and he begins to rise from the ground. It takes very little time for him to be standing once again on his own two feet! He wants to dance and shout! But Jesus told him to do something; pick up his bed. To make absolute certain that his miracle doesn’t leave, he does exactly as he was told.
Jesus and the disciples quickly fade into the throng of people going into the city. They are nowhere in sight when the man finally has his bed in hand. He begins doing the final step Jesus gave him; to walk. He walks first to the very pool he lay beside for so long, and washes himself. Now that he is clean, he goes on into the city, still carrying his bed.
Inside the gate, David is almost immediately accosted by a group of Pharisees.
“It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed” (John 5:10).
David doesn’t loosen his grip in the slightest. He is determined to see this healing through, no matter what. “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk’” (John 5:11).
The Pharisees eyes narrow in suspicion. “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” (John 5:12).
“I don’t know His name or where He went, but I am doing exactly as He told me to do.”
After finding no more information about the one who healed this man, the religious leaders walk away in a huff.
“You know who it was who did this” one whispers to another.
“Of course we do, but we need a witness to actually accuse Him.”
David takes his bed with him everywhere he goes for the next five hours. When he comes to the Temple though, he lays it aside. It would not be proper to carry it inside, especially on a Sabbath.
With JOY David comes to the priest and tells him about his healing. After relating the story, his face falls. “I am beyond poor though and have nothing to present as an offering.”
This priest knows in his heart who performed the miracle for David as well, but he is one of Jesus’ secret admirers. “If I were to give alms to the poor, namely you, would you purchase the pigeons for a sacrifice?”
“I would indeed!” David replies.
The priest reaches inside his own robes and withdraws two denarii from his purse. “This is, hopefully, the last time you will have to beg for a living.” He smiles as he presses the coins into the man’s hand.
With tears streaming down his face, David accepts the gift and hurries off to purchase the sacrifice of the poor. He picks carefully from the pigeons up for sale. He wants to give only the very best to the Lord for his healing.
As he is choosing his birds, Jesus approaches him.
“See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you” (John 5:14) Jesus admonishes him.
David falls at Jesus’ feet. “May I know the name of my Redeemer?”
Peter and John look at one another. Each wondering how this man could not know Jesus of Nazareth. But they say nothing.
Jesus reaches down and lifts David up. “When you speak of your healing, let it be known that Jesus of Nazareth is the one who saw your suffering and made you whole.”
“I WILL!” David exclaims. “I’m looking for an offering to bring to the Lord. Do You have any suggestions?”
Jesus looks at the birds and says, “I would pick those two, if it were Me.”
Instantly David tells the shop keeper which birds he wants. As he is dealing with his purchase, Jesus disappears into the crowd again. The man turns back to thank Jesus, but He is nowhere to be seen.
Returning to the same priest who gave him the gift, David presents the two birds for sacrifice. They talk as the man prepares the birds to hand to the priest.
“The man who healed me came to me again in the market. His name is Jesus of Nazareth. He said to tell all who asked, who it was who saw my suffering.”
“I had a feeling that it was Jesus who had done this miraculous work. Do as He says, at all times.”
Once the sacrifice is complete, David goes in search of those who questioned him earlier. They are not hard to spot. They are looking down their noses at everyone who passes by and making sure no one touches them. He walks up to the group and bows his head.
“The man who healed me met me again in the market. His name is Jesus of Nazareth. He told me to tell anyone who asks about Him that He saw my suffering.”
“I KNEW IT” hisses the leader of the group. “He flaunts our laws at every turn.”
David recoils at the venom in the Pharisee’s words. “Maybe I shouldn’t have told them”, he thinks to himself. He quickly leaves the area when the Pharisees start talking among themselves. He wants NO part of their discussion.
The Pharisees go in search of Jesus. They find Him in the Temple, teaching a group of people. Without even waiting for an opening, they march right into the center of the crowd and start accusing Jesus.
“It is not lawful for You to heal on the Sabbath day. And certainly not lawful for You to tell another to ‘take up his bed’ on the Sabbath.”
Jesus is not the least bit phased by their attack. He has had this discussion more than once. He is certain that they have received reports of His answers. Today, He has one for them that is sure to stir their blood.
“My Father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:17).
“You are compounding Your sin! First, You heal on the Sabbath. NOW You DARE to make Yourself out to be the Son of God!”
Jesus looks the leader straight in the eye and says; “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:19-24).
Smoke would be rising from the Pharisees’ ears in anger if it were possible. Their faces are red and their fists are clenched. But they say nothing. They don’t know how to respond; not in public anyway.
Jesus goes on. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:25-29).
The crowd is hanging on every word Jesus speaks. And the Pharisees cringe even deeper. They see clearly that He is equating Himself to God, but there is nothing they can do about it with all the people watching. They LOVE His words. Tearing Jesus down would invite a riot.
Still, Jesus goes on. “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:30-46).
The Pharisees can do nothing but shake their heads. They withdraw, as their presence seems to be encouraging Jesus to speak out even bolder. Once they are out of the vicinity, they begin talking all at once.
“He has to pay for that insult!”
“Does He really believe everything He is saying? How deluded in He!”
“Did you see the faces of the people? They were eating it up!”
“SOMETHING has to be done about Him!”
With the Pharisees gone, Jesus continues to teach the people of the Lord. The rest of the day is spent with the people. They are together when it is time to light the first candle in honor of the miracle God did on behalf of the people so long ago.
After the lighting ceremony is done, Jesus and His disciples leave Jerusalem. They return to Bethan where they will spend the week.
Each day, Jesus and His disciples start out early for Jerusalem. Jesus spends His days in the Temple, teaching the people and meeting EVERY challenge thrown at Him by the religious leaders. They stay until the candle lighting in the evening before returning back to Bethany.
On the final day of the celebration, Jesus wants to get an early start again.
“There is someone I need to see this morning.”
The disciples don’t even ask. They know that Jesus is referring to healing someone. They also know that it is the Sabbath. Yet, they say nothing. They wait with anticipation to see where He leads them today.
As they near the city, they pass by a man who was born blind. Thomas knows his story well, as their parents were friends at one time. The man’s name is Aaron. Thomas’ spirit rises up within him and he poses a question to Jesus.
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2).
This is the appointment Jesus had in mind today. And now is the time to heal as well as teach.
“It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:3-5).
Jesus bends down in front of Aaron. “Do not be afraid” He says to him.
Aaron nods his head and waits expectantly. He has no idea what Jesus is about to do, but he is MORE than willing to let the ‘works of God’ be displayed in himself.
Jesus spits onto the ground. Then He takes His finger and stirs the dirt and saliva into a muddy paste. Jesus picks up the mud He has created and wipes it on Aaron’s eyes, covering them completely.
Aaron sits absolutely still, waiting to hear what Jesus says next.
“Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (John 9:7) Jesus tells him.
Aaron gets up. He takes hold of his stick and carefully makes his way to the pool Jesus told him to wash in. Once his stick connects with the water, he drops to his knees. He reaches out with two hands and cups a portion of water into his hands. He quickly brings this to his face and begins washing. He does this several more times until his face feels clean. Then he opens his eyes.
Light pours in as well as images. He has never experienced anything like it. He is disoriented for a few moments. None of these sights are familiar to him and he doesn’t know how to interpret them.
As he sits at the edge of the pool, he hears a familiar voice.
“Aaron, I’ve been looking all over for you. I thought you were going to wait by the wall.”
Aaron looks in the direction of the voice and sees a man standing there. “Is that you Daniel” he asks.
“Of course it’s me. Who did you think I was?”
“I recognized the voice, but the face, I don’t know.”
“What do you mean, ‘the face you don’t know’?” Daniel takes a step closer and looks at Aaron’s eyes. He springs back in surprise. “Aaron! Can you see?”
Aaron’s face splits wide into a smile. “I CAN SEE! Daniel.”
Daniel takes Aaron by the arm and leads him through the familiar, yet unfamiliar streets of Jerusalem. They are nearly running when a Roman soldier steps in front of them.
“Halt! What is the meaning of this?”
“Forgive us, my lord. We are excited and in a hurry to find my friend’s parents. He has amazing news to tell them” Daniel offers.
“And what news is so ‘amazing’ that it has you running through the streets of Jerusalem?”
“My friend” Daniel says as he puts his arm around Aaron, “was born blind. Yet now he can SEE!”
“You are lying. I don’t believe a word of it. But because of your ingenious lie, I will let you go with just a warning.”
Aaron starts to protest, but Daniel pulls him along. “We don’t want to get into it with the Romans” Daniel whispers as the two of them move away from the soldier. Aaron looks back over his shoulder and see the soldier watching them as they make their way down the street. Aaron smiles at him.
Recognition dawns in the soldier’s mind. He has seen this man before. He was indeed a blind beggar. His mouth falls open for a moment. Then he returns to his duties. “I have no time for this” he says to himself.
Daniel and Aaron near their homes in the city. As they approach, their neighbors take notice of their arrival.
“What happened Daniel? Why is Aaron without his stick?”
“I don’t need it anymore” Aaron says while looking around at his neighbors.
“Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” (John 9: 8) one neighbor asks.
“It is he” (John 9:9a) someone else says.
“No, but he is like him” (John 9:9b).
“I am the man” (John 9:9c) Aaron keeps insisting.
One of the neighbors steps up to Aaron and examines him closely. “Then how were your eyes opened?” (John 9:10) he asks.
Aaron is only too glad to tell them. “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight” (John 9:11).
“Where is he?” (John 9:12a) the man asks him.
Aaron shakes his head. “I do not know” (John 9:12b).
“We need to take you and show the Pharisees. They asked us to be on the lookout for anyone that this Jesus heals. They said they want to document His actions.”
Aaron doesn’t resist. He and his neighbors make their way to the Temple where a group of Pharisees stands at the gate. They boldly walk up to them.
“You told us that you wanted to know of anyone Jesus of Nazareth heals.”
“That is correct. Do you know of someone?”
Daniel takes hold of Aaron’s shoulders and brings him to stand directly in front of the Pharisees. “I most certainly do. You see, my friend, Aaron, was born blind. Jesus opened his eyes today.”
“Impossible. No one who is born blind can receive their sight.”
“I was, and I did” states Aaron with absolute certainty.
“You are trying to make fools of us. Away with you!”
“He is speaking the truth” several of the neighbors interject.
“Tell us again exactly what happened.”
“He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see” (John 9:15) Aaron explained again.
The head of the Pharisees steps forward. “Bring me his parents. I will question them myself as to if their son was born blind, and if you are actually him.”
A runner is dispatched immediately to the home of Aaron’s parents. While the runner is on his assignment, the Pharisees continue to discuss this issue.
“This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath” (John 9:16a) some of the Pharisees were saying.
“How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” (John 9:16b) others in the group ask.
This sparked a division among the group. “We cannot settle this ourselves. We will wait and weigh the evidence.”
The leader of the Pharisees turns to Aaron and asks him; “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” (John 9:17a).
Without an instant of hesitation, Aaron answers; “He is a prophet” (John 9:17b).
When the runner reaches the home of Aaron’s family, he calls out to Aaron’s father.
“Are you the father of the man called Aaron?”
“My son is named Aaron. What is this about? Is he in some kind of danger?”
“He has made certain claims to the Pharisees and they demand that you and your wife accompany me at once to answer their questions.”
Confusion is evident on Aaron’s Abba’s face, but he calls his wife and the two of them follow the runner. As they approach, Daniel whispers into Aaron’s ear, there are your parents. Aaron breaks free of the group and runs into his Abba’s arms.
“Abba, I can see you!” He turns to his ima. “I see you too Ima. And you are beautiful!”
Aaron’s parents are astounded by his words. They hug him in return and tears flow freely.
“Enough of that for now” demands the head of the Pharisees. “I need to ask you some questions.”
The three family members turn and face the Pharisees. They know of the threat that the Pharisees have made against anyone who professes Jesus to be the Christ. They will be put out of the Tabernacle for life.
“Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” (John 9:19).
“We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself” (John 9:20-21).
Aaron smiles at his parents. He understands their fear, but they didn’t meet Jesus. And it isn’t their eyes that He opened. He will NOT deny this healing, no matter what the cost.
The Pharisees are not done yet. They turn to Aaron again.
“Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner” (John 9:24) the leader says.
Aaron answers them with boldness. “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25).
Getting even more adamant, the leader of the Pharisees presses Aaron for an answer he approves of. “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” (John 9:26).
Aaron is frustrated with their relentless efforts to discredit Jesus. He answers them in a way that raises the hairs of the back of their necks. “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” (John 9:27).
The head Pharisee nearly spits in Aaron’s face. “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from” (John 9:28-29).
Aaron responds to the taunt with one of his own. “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing” (John 9:30-33).
The head Pharisees sneers at Aaron. “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” (John 9:34). The head Pharisee motioned for two of his men to take Aaron’s arms. “Cast him out of the Temple. He is never to enter here again, upon sentence of death.”
Jesus hears the news of Aaron’s expulsion from the Temple. It isn’t unexpected, but it is unacceptable in His mind. He goes in search of Aaron. He finds him outside the Temple wall beside the Golden Gate. Jesus walks up to him.
“Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (John 9:35).
Aaron answers with longing to know, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” (John 9:36).
Jesus smiles at him. “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you” (John 9:37).
Aaron falls to his knees. “Lord, I believe” (John 9:38). Aaron bows his face to the ground and begins to worship Jesus.
Jesus reaches down and touches Aaron’s shoulder. “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind” (John 9:39).
Standing nearby are a few of the Pharisees from the group who questioned Aaron. They overhear Jesus’ statement. They step forward and challenge Jesus.
“Are we also blind?” (John 9:40).
Jesus looks at them. Compassion and anger war within Him. He doesn’t hold back when He speaks judgment against them. “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains” (John 9:41).
Jesus enfolds Aaron into His group and returns to the Temple. The people have heard of the miracle and the One who performed it. They all flock to Jesus as He walks the colonnade of Solomon. He begins to address them.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10:1-5).
Jesus clearly sees that the people don’t understand what He is saying. He gives them this teaching in a different format. One that hides nothing.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (John 10:7-18).
Division breaks out in the crowd. They are divided on whether to believe Jesus or not. Some call out; “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” (John 10:20). Others reply back to them; “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” (John 10:21).
After a bit, they call out to Jesus. “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly” (John 10:24).
Jesus shakes His head in frustration. “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:25-30).
This riles many of them up! They bend down and pick up stones, intending to stone Jesus for his words.
Jesus faces them down without fear. “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” (John 10:32).
With murder in their hearts, they answer Him. “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God” (John 10:34).
Jesus answers them; “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken— do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father” (John 10:34-38).
This did NOT have the effect of calming the crowd down. It enraged them even farther. But as they go to throw their stones, Jesus is nowhere to be found. He and His disciples walk right through the middle of the crowd and out of the Temple. They did not stay for the final lighting of the lamps.
Jesus leads His group to the other side of the Jordan where John had previously been baptizing people. Once the people who came to see John hear that Jesus is in their midst, they come to Him.
“John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true” (John 10:41). And many of them believe in Him.
Jesus stays away from Jerusalem. The religious leaders still plot to kill Him but they are reluctant to go into the area where John once was. They are outnumbered and unwelcome.
(to be continued)
Sorry this story is so long. I wanted to include everything from the festival into one story. I’m curious to know if Jesus healed anyone else during the week. We see two healings on the Sabbaths. These made the Pharisees the angriest, apparently. They look for anything they can to trap Jesus. And He doesn’t stop giving them the ‘ammunition to convict’ Him with.
That made me think about a song. I don’t know the name of it, but it asks if there is enough evidence in your life to convict you of being a Christian. I’ve searched and can’t find the song. I did find several others along those lines. But I want to simply ask the question. “If today, I was brought to stand before the court, would there be enough evidence to convict me of being a follower of Jesus?” I PRAY with EVERY BREATH that I take, that the answer is YES.
Father God, am I a ‘living, breathing, walking testimony’ of Your love? Am I pointing people to You in everything I do? I KNOW I’m not representing You at my best when I get angry with my husband. Help me continue to work on my patience with him. I know, I keep asking for this, but it is deep in my heart; both the good and the bad in our days. Help me tear down the expectations of what he ‘should’ be doing in his process and lean into Your love for both of us. I KNOW You can sustain my heart, no matter what. Let Your light shine in me in EVERY situation.
