At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.
It was a dark and stormy night. There actually is a novel, Paul Clifford, that opens thus, written in 1830 by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. It sets the scene but is mocked nonetheless. John has a similar phrase in these verses. It was winter… John wrote these words to say what time of year it was, the Feast of Dedication that celebrated the new temple at that time. Many scholars cite other references to assert that John said much more.
These scholars surmise that John used the literary device of symbolism to say what was the social atmosphere at the time. It was cold. When Peter denied Jesus later in John’s account, it was cold. And so was his heart. For those wondering if Jesus was Messiah, the season was bleak and they wanted someone to defeat Rome. Was Jesus that man? They wanted to know so it would no longer be winter. Today seems like one long winter, regardless of the temperature. There is a lack of warmth in people’s demeanor and discourse. They need Christ Jesus to end this cold snap.
Dear Lord, thank you for the spring and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. May we be warm in the knowledge of him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church