This section of the Book of John records the dialogue held between Christ and the religious leaders during the Feast of Dedication. This festival was the extra-biblical celebration of the Maccabean Revolt. The Feast of Dedication was not proscribed in the law of God, and there is no mention of the Lord's participation in this festival. The Maccabees were once held up by the people as potential claimants to the title of Messiah, and they continued to represent the looked for throwing off of the authority of pagan Rome. The concept of Messiah carried similar political connotations to the first century Jewish leaders. In asking Christ if he were the Messiah, they were imposing their ideas of a military rebellion against Rome.
Jesus confirms by His testimony that He is indeed the Christ – the Messiah of promise. The works, words and shepherding of the Lord confirm that He is both Christ and God as described in the scripture. Christ greatly offended the religious establishment in claiming divinity for Himself and declaring the priests and Pharisees to be outside of the true covenant community.
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Nathan Eshelman holds a Master of Divinity degree from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI, as well as a Doctor of Ministry degree from Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA. He serves as clerk of the Pacific Coast Presbytery (RPCNA),...
