This, one of the most loved parables, describes the close relationship between the sheep and the shepherd. They are not just a “flock”. The shepherd knows each by name (a name that he gave them). They recognize his voice, and they follow him because they want to follow him.
The same special bond between the shepherd and each of his sheep is also seen in Luke’s parable of the lost sheep.
It’s just an image, of course. But Jesus is clear about what it means – the individual relationship he has with each of us.
What is the chemistry between Jesus and me?
Look at it first from his side. Well, there’s a good chemistry there: "As the Father loves me, so do I love you.” (We know that, but we might want to think about whether we know it in our heart.)
How about the other side – my chemistry toward Jesus?
Now it gets personal.
In the passage in the next post, Jesus is in Jerusalem for the feast of the Dedication. The Hebrew word for “Dedication” is “Hanukkah”. Jesus is celebrating Hanukkah. It is an eight-day festival commemorating an event that took place over a century and a half earlier.
In 167 B. C., on the 25th day of the third Jewish month, the tyrannical king of Syria desecrated the Temple by removing its altar and putting up a pagan altar on which he offered a sacrifice to Zeus. This capped off years of attempts to paganize the Jewish people, some of whom went along with it. Others, however, were willing to die for their faith.
A revolt ensued, and three years to the day after the desecration, , Judas Maccabeus, leader of the revolt, purified the Temple, built a new altar, and re-dedicated it.
There was great rejoicing for many days, and candles played a large part in the celebration.
To celebrate the feast, a nine-branched menorah is used with one main candle from which an additional candle is lit each of the eight days.