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The feast of dedication

Text: John 10 : 22-42

THE FEAST OF DEDICATION

The Jews celebrated other festivals besides the ones prescribed in the Scriptures. One of them, John noted, was “The Feast of Dedication” (Hanukkah). It was also known as The Feast of Lights.” Sometimes it was also known as the “Feast of the Asmoneans.” This Feast was the celebration of the Re-dedication of the Temple at Jerusalem.

In order to appreciate this Festival, we need to have a quick review of the history of the Temple.

1. The Solomonic Temple

Jerusalem’s great pride in ancient days was the Temple built by King Solomon (2 Chronicles 2-7). The Lord Himself honoured the Temple by allowing His Glory to alight on it at its Dedication.

“…the glory of the Lord filled the Temple.
And the priests could not enter the House of
the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had
filled the Lord’s House.”
2 Chronicles 7:1-2

However, before too long Solomon was entrapped by idolatrous practices. The deadly influence came through his many wives. Chance after chance was given to subsequent kings to forsake idolatry and to return to God. Hundreds of years passed with no sign of repentance at all. Prophet after prophet sent by God was rejected by Israel, until one day, the judgment of God fell upon the nation. This was recorded in the Scriptures by the chroniclers.

“Then He (God) brought against them
the king of the Chaldeans…
Then they burned the house of God,
broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned
all its palaces…
…to fulfill the word of the Lord by the
mouth of Jeremiah…”
2 Chronicles 36:17-21

2. Jerusalem ruled by Foreign Powers

Many Jews were forced into exile by the Babylonians. Not until the Medo-Persians defeated the Babylonians did Israel have a chance to rebuild their Temple. Authorised by the Persian King Cyrus, Ezra the Scribe played a leading role in the rebuilding of the Temple. The Second Temple was a humble edifice compared to that constructed by Solomon. Nevertheless it was their second Temple!

First the Babylonians ruled Palestine. Then came the Medo-Persians. The Greeks took their turn next! For a while, Alexander was the undisputed king of the world after defeating Darius, the Persian King. However, he lived a very short life, for he died at only thirty-three years old, presumably a victim of malaria. After his demise his kingdom was divided into four parts, each led by a general who served in Alexander’s army.

The Seleucid (Syrian) Antiochus IV carried out an intense campaign to “Hellenize” Palestine, following the footsteps of Alexander the Great. Greek altars were set up and people were coerced to worship the pantheon of Greek deities.

The Jews resisted the strong Hellenization process. Led by the Hasmoneans, the Jews rose up and fought against the Seleucid Empire. Antiochus Epiphanes IV raised an altar and set it up in the Temple! This was a great act of defiance and desecration on the part of Antiochus Epiphanes IV.

The Hasmonean family was essentially a priestly family. They led the revolt against the Syrians and cleansed the Temple of the Greek altar! Soon after the Temple was “Re-dedicated” to the Lord. This event took place in 164 B.C. Ever since then, the Jews celebrated the Re-dedication of the Temple (Hanukkah).

The Syrians in time were conquered by the Romans. Palestine in the days of Jesus was ruled by the iron fist of Rome. Rome allowed the Jews to practise their own religion. No attempt was made to Hellenize or Romanize the Jewish people!

3. The Herodian Temple

Under the Romans, Herod the Great managed to secure for himself the position of king. He had of course to acknowledge that Rome was his overlord. Herod, in order to gain favour and support from the Jews, offered to rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem. The Temple in the days of Jesus was the third temple to be erected in the holy city of Jerusalem.

Hanukkah was a popular feast celebrated by the nation. Homes were especially well-lit during this Feast that lasted eight days. The Temple of course was also well lit to commemorate the Re-dedication of the Temple.

SOLOMON’S PORCH

John noted that Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication. We read,

“Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem,
and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple,
in Solomon’s porch”
John 10:22

Different parts of the Herodian Temple were given various names. One of the porches or porticoes was called “Solomon’s Porch”. This area of the Temple surrounded the Court of the Gentiles.

It was at Solomon’s Porch that the unbelieving Jews gathered themselves against Jesus once again. John noted,

“Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him,
‘How long do You keep us in doubt? If you are the Christ,
tell us plainly.'”
John 10:24

How sad that amidst such a beautiful setting, ugly words of defiant unbelief were uttered! How could they say that Jesus had not spoken to them plainly enough?