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.
