The Feast of Dedication
“I have done many good things for you”
One winter, Jesus approached the temple in Jerusalem for the dedication feast. As He walked through Solomon’s porch, He was surrounded by Jews.
“How long are you going to play with us?” asked one.
“Just tell us if you are the Christ!” said another.
“I did tell you, and you didn’t believe,” answered Jesus. “The miracles I have done in my Father’s name are evidence that I am. But you still don’t believe, and that is because you are not my sheep.
I have told you before that my sheep know my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life. My Father has given my sheep to me. My Father and I are one.”
The crowd of Jews turned into an angry mob, armed with stones to stone Him. Jesus remained
undisturbed.
“I have done many good things for you,” He said. “Which one are you going to stone me for?”
“We don’t stone you for the miracles,” one answered angrily. “We are going to stone you for
blasphemy, because you are only a man and have made yourself equal to God!”
“Is it not written in the law ‘I said you are gods?’” asked Jesus, referring to the Law of Moses. “If the
prophet sent by God called you gods and the scriptures are true, how can you say that I blaspheme by saying that I am the Son of God?
If I do not do the works of my Father, then believe me not. But If I do, believe the works even though
you don’t believe in me. Then you will know and believe that the Father is in me, and I am in Him.”
The mob grew angrier still and tried to capture Jesus, but He escaped with the disciples. They retreated to Jordan, where Jesus had been baptized by John, and stayed there. Many came and found Him.
“John didn’t perform miracles, but everything John said about this man is true,” they said.
Many believed Christ in Jordan.