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The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I
have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these
are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not
stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are
making yourself God.” John 10:31–33
The reason these Jews were so angry that they “picked up rocks to
stone Jesus” was because He had just declared, “The Father and I
are one” (John 10:30), a statement they understood as blasphemy.
Through His words and works, Jesus identified Himself as the
Messiah and Son of God. However, the religious leaders refused to
believe.
This controversy took place during the Feast of the
Dedication—Hanukkah, a celebration that commemorates the
rededication of the Temple in 164 B.C. The Temple had been defiled
by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 B.C., who tried to eradicate
Jewish worship by introducing Greek customs and pagan sacrifices.
He desecrated the altar by offering unclean animals and setting up
a statue of Zeus within the Temple.
In response, Judas Maccabeus led a Jewish rebellion that reclaimed
the Temple, purified the altar, and rededicated it to the worship
of the one true God. According to tradition, only one day’s worth
of pure oil was available to light the menorah, but it miraculously
burned for eight days—the foundation of Hanukkah. Although this
feast was not originally prescribed in the Law of Moses, it became
an important celebration of God’s faithfulness and the triumph of
light over darkness.
Why is this important to understand? Just as Jesus was not only the
Son of God, one with the Father, but also the Messiah and Savior,
He came to establish Himself as the New Temple, Altar, High Priest,
and Lamb of Sacrifice. Just as Hanukkah celebrated the light of the
menorah, Jesus symbolically revealed Himself as the Light of the
World, who draws His sheep out of the darkness of sin and
ignorance.
Although the religious authorities tried to arrest Jesus in the
Temple, He escaped their grasp and retreated across the Jordan
River to the place where John the Baptist had baptized. He remained
there for some time, nurturing His followers’ faith in preparation
for the events of Passover. Many who came to Him during this period
testified, “‘John performed no sign, but everything John said about
this man was true.’ And many there began to believe in Him” (John
10:42).
During these final months, Jesus stayed with His disciples in the
wilderness, preparing them for what was to come. It was in this
period, just before Passover, that He raised Lazarus from the
dead—an event that further agitated the religious leaders, who
began plotting more seriously to kill Him.
Just as Jesus’ mission was filled with challenges, hope, and
tension, so too are our lives. His journey sheds light on our own
spiritual path. The three to four months between Hanukkah and
Passover were a time of spiritual preparation as Jesus prepared His
followers for what was to come. Reflect today upon being with Jesus
during this time. As you do, consider our Lord’s serenity as He
encountered hostility in the Temple and retreated to the
wilderness.
Reflect on His patience and the care He showed in preparing His
disciples for His final Hour of glory. Ponder the emotions and
teachings that filled this period—hope, tension, and
expectation—and resolve to follow our Lord faithfully as He
prepares to enter Jerusalem for His Passion. Unite your own hope,
tension, expectations, and uncertainties with our Lord, praying for
the grace you need to fulfill your life’s mission in union with
Him.
My determined Lord, You were fully committed to fulfill Your
divine mission. As the Messiah, You were the New Temple, High
Priest, Altar, and Lamb of Sacrifice. You are also the Good
Shepherd, leading all of Your sheep to imitate You and to lay their
lives down for others. Please give me Your wisdom and courage so
that I am prepared to follow You into Holy Week and lay my life
down in union with You. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: The Jews Took Up Rocks to Stone Jesus by James Tissot
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