Ministry from Galilee to Judea

“Jesus returns to Capernaum after the Festival of Dedication, for the final two months of his Galilean ministry.  He not only feels growing opposition from the people there who want a political leader, but also knows that it is nearing the time for him to be delivered up.  From this time forward, Jesus resolutely faces his final suffering.  

Initial excitement among the masses is followed by doubt and even hostility as Jesus refuses to accept the role that most people want him to play.  In a way it is characteristic of the turnabout which inevitably comes when people accept Jesus into their lives for any number of wrong reasons: the excitement can give way to disappointment.”

Read:  Matthew 19:1-2, Mark 10:1, Luke 9:51-56, Luke 17:11-19, Matthew 11:20-30, Luke 10, Luke 11:1-13

In Jerusalem for Festival of Dedication

“Jesus is in Jerusalem in December during the eight-day Festival of Dedication, known more modernly as Hanukkah.  Faithful Jews are gathering in Jerusalem in order to celebrate the rededication of the temple, and Jesus takes this opportunity to reach out to the large number of people present.

When various Jewish leaders ask Jesus whether he is the Christ, he reminds them of his miraculous works as proof of his deity.  he then says that he and the Father are one, thereby infuriating the Jews, who see this as rank blasphemy.  They take up rocks to stone Jesus and try to have him arrested, but Jesus escapes.”

Read:  John 10:22-42

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.