Verses: John 10 : 22 - 40
My thoughts about the verses:
The first thing that we need to do is understand what the Feast of Dedication is about. Approximately 150 years before Jesus was born the Jewish community in Judea were under Greco-Syrian rule. They were forced to worship Greek Gods. The temple had been taken over and was no longer a place of Jewish worship. Four brothers led a revolt which overthrew the rulers of the area. When this occurred the temple was taken back into their possession.
Once the temple was back in possession the Jewish community rededicated the Temple. The Eternal flame was lit with the last amount of oil. To explain the Eternal Flame this is a lamp that was lit all the time to represent the presence of God with the chosen people. When the flame was lit during the rededication there was only enough oil for less than a day. Yet, the flame stayed lit for 7 days. We now know this part of the rededication is known as The Festival of the Lights.
So now let us look what was happening on the day Jesus entered the temple during the Feast of Dedication. He once again is confronted by the leaders. The Questioned if he was the Messiah. They desired Jesus to give them the evidence they needed so that they could stone him and get rid of this trouble maker.
Jesus's response was a question back. What miracle have you seen me do that you want to kill me for? Think about this a second. Jesus was teaching them something very important but they had missed it. He was showing them that the Eternal Flame was standing right there in front of them. The fulfillment of the rededication was complete. Yet, the leaders became angrier. How dare some mere man say he was God's son.
See they expected this great conqueror. They were not expecting someone to come that would arrive as a baby. That would walk among the people. This day Jesus was doing something that they did not understand. As he stood on the Porch of Solomon he was bringing the Eternal Flame in person to the temple. He was actually dedicating the temple once more. He was dedicating for those that would come to know him as the Messiah. He was purifying the temple so that the Jewish community would have a truly sacred temple to worship in. Yet, it was not just for the Jewish community, but for all who would follow God.
In today's world we have the opportunity to see the Eternal flame when we see the deeds of a true Christian. The Holy Spirit comes into the new temple, our body, and stays lit for the rest of our life. The deeds that we do in the name of Christ are the same examples of love as the miracles Christ did in his time. Even though you may feel persecuted by the actions that you do know that Jesus said that all that accept Jesus are a child of God. Therefor the presence living with us refreshes us and encourages us to do things that benefit the good of all people.
Prayer:
Dear God thank you for dying for us. We thank you dear savior for entering our hearts and blessing us with the Eternal Flame. We ask that you light our way. We ask that you guide our actions. Lastly, we pray that we keep our Spirits open to do the things that you desire from us. In the name of everlasting love we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you asked Jesus into your heart? Have you allowed the Eternal Flame to ignite your deeds? Is there someone you need to share Jesus with?
My thoughts about the verses:
The first thing that we need to do is understand what the Feast of Dedication is about. Approximately 150 years before Jesus was born the Jewish community in Judea were under Greco-Syrian rule. They were forced to worship Greek Gods. The temple had been taken over and was no longer a place of Jewish worship. Four brothers led a revolt which overthrew the rulers of the area. When this occurred the temple was taken back into their possession.
Once the temple was back in possession the Jewish community rededicated the Temple. The Eternal flame was lit with the last amount of oil. To explain the Eternal Flame this is a lamp that was lit all the time to represent the presence of God with the chosen people. When the flame was lit during the rededication there was only enough oil for less than a day. Yet, the flame stayed lit for 7 days. We now know this part of the rededication is known as The Festival of the Lights.
So now let us look what was happening on the day Jesus entered the temple during the Feast of Dedication. He once again is confronted by the leaders. The Questioned if he was the Messiah. They desired Jesus to give them the evidence they needed so that they could stone him and get rid of this trouble maker.
Jesus's response was a question back. What miracle have you seen me do that you want to kill me for? Think about this a second. Jesus was teaching them something very important but they had missed it. He was showing them that the Eternal Flame was standing right there in front of them. The fulfillment of the rededication was complete. Yet, the leaders became angrier. How dare some mere man say he was God's son.
See they expected this great conqueror. They were not expecting someone to come that would arrive as a baby. That would walk among the people. This day Jesus was doing something that they did not understand. As he stood on the Porch of Solomon he was bringing the Eternal Flame in person to the temple. He was actually dedicating the temple once more. He was dedicating for those that would come to know him as the Messiah. He was purifying the temple so that the Jewish community would have a truly sacred temple to worship in. Yet, it was not just for the Jewish community, but for all who would follow God.
In today's world we have the opportunity to see the Eternal flame when we see the deeds of a true Christian. The Holy Spirit comes into the new temple, our body, and stays lit for the rest of our life. The deeds that we do in the name of Christ are the same examples of love as the miracles Christ did in his time. Even though you may feel persecuted by the actions that you do know that Jesus said that all that accept Jesus are a child of God. Therefor the presence living with us refreshes us and encourages us to do things that benefit the good of all people.
Prayer:
Dear God thank you for dying for us. We thank you dear savior for entering our hearts and blessing us with the Eternal Flame. We ask that you light our way. We ask that you guide our actions. Lastly, we pray that we keep our Spirits open to do the things that you desire from us. In the name of everlasting love we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you asked Jesus into your heart? Have you allowed the Eternal Flame to ignite your deeds? Is there someone you need to share Jesus with?
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