May 8, 2022 | John 10:22-30
Bible Study John 10:22-30
What is the Feast of Dedication?
Why do “the Jews” raise this issue, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly,” in our text?
What do you think they wanted to hear?
How often are we open to answers that may be different than what we want to hear?
Who do you think Jesus was referring to in the Gospel of John Chapter 10, verse 8? John 10:7-11
Should we be willing to tell people, “Look at what I do and come to your own conclusions about my faith”? Are we?
Jesus is clear that “the Jews” to whom he is speaking do not belong to his sheep. Why not?
What does it mean to hear Jesus’ voice? Psalm 29; John 12:28-32; John 5:25-29; Romans 10:17
What then does it mean to follow that voice? John 14:15, 23-24; John 6:37
Jesus states he is the Good Shepherd. Who are:
- The Wolf? ____________________________________________
- The Hired Hand? _______________________________________
- Sheep not of this flock?__________________________________
When does eternal life begin? 1 John 5:11-13
What does the Shepherd do for us? Psalm 23
When Jesus says in verse 28 that, “No one can snatch them out of my hand,” what did He mean? Romans 8:31-39; Ephesians 2:1-7; John 6:39; 1 Peter 1:3-5
Can you lose your salvation then? Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 18:10-14; 1 Corinthians 10:6-13; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; Matthew 23:37
List 3 truths we can learn from Chapter 10 verses 17 and 18 of the Gospel of John.
If Christ has told us that His sheep are secure in His hand and in His Father’s hand, then why do professing Christians feel insecure?
Feast of Dedication
Further information: Hannukah
The Feast of Dedication, today Hannukah, once also called “Feast of the Maccabees” was a Jewish festival observed for eight days from the 25th of Kislev (usually in December, but occasionally late November, due to the lunisolar calendar). It was instituted by Judas Maccabeus, his brothers, and the elders of the congregation of Israel, in the year 165 B.C. in commemoration of the reconsecration of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, and especially of the altar of burnt offering, after they had been desecrated in the persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes (168 BC). The significant happenings of the festival were the illumination of houses and synagogues, a custom probably taken over from the Feast of Tabernacles, and the recitation of Psalm 30:1-12. J. Wellhausen suggests that the feast was originally connected with the winter solstice, and only afterwards with the events narrated in Maccabees.
The Feast of Dedication is also mentioned in John 10:22 where it mentions Jesus being at the Jerusalem Temple during “the Feast of Dedication” and further notes “and it was winter.” The Greek term used in John is “the renewals” (Greek ta engkainia τὰ ἐγκαίνια). Josephus refers to the festival in Greek simply as “lights.”
Psalm 30:1-12:
A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple. I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
