Breaking the Word

Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me." (Jn 12:44-50)

Jesus says:

•          Whoever  believes in me
•            Whoever sees me

Those who see Jesus and believe in him see and believe in the Father. This is a public and open statement that Jesus is making before he goes into taking to his disciples and then he does not address the public. To the general public he says that he and the father are one. He, as a light, has come to remove darkness.

He says again:

•          Anyone hears my words and does not observe
•           Whoever rejects

Those who do not observe the words of Jesus and reject him are condemned and judged. Jesus does not condemn them but the words that he has spoken condemn them. These words are from the Father and they are eternal.

In this passage Jesus speaks about two of his activities: 1) he has come to reveal the father and 2) he has come to save the world. Those who believe and see, and hear and accept him as God sent are saved. Those who do not, will be condemned not by him but by his words. This is the final challenge that Jesus places before the public. 

The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep… (Jn 10:22-30)

Jesus is walking in the Temple area during the Festival of Hanukkah. This festival was a reminder about God and liberation. This festival was to thank God for having given the Temple back to the people and also to think how the leaders became kings.

This festival, Hanukkah (= dedication) is to celebrate the solemn purification, re-dedication, offering of proper sacrifices and prayed to God that they might never again suffer such a disaster. The disaster was that the enemies had trampled the sacred place; offered sacrifices to their own gods. 

The year was 167 BC; the tyrant was Antiochus Epiphanus; the hero was Judas Maccabaeus.  Judas and his family, because of their religious devotion and courage, liberated the Temple and re-consecrated it. Their work was similar to that of David and Solomon.  

So the Jews celebrated this event as a festival to thank God and also honour the leaders. They expect a similar leadership role from Jesus. Jesus clarifies his role well. He is a shepherd who has come to lay down his life for the sheep He has come to tend them, care for them and feed them.