Application. Examine your conscience on the subject of gentleness; make acts of contrition, and good resolutions.
Happiness can only be found with Jesus. As long as you follow Him, and are obedient and innocent, you will have peace and joy of heart. But if you do what is wrong, you will feel discontented, restless and troubled. Keep, therefore, away from sin; it will make you very unhappy.
Chapter LII.
JESUS AT THE FEAST OF THE DEDICATION CLEARLY
ASSERTS HIS DIVINITY.
[John 10, 22 — 42.]
JESUS assisted at the Feast of the Dedication [1] of the Temple. As He walked through the Porch of Solomon, a number of Jews[2] surrounded Him and said: “How long[3] dost Thou hold our souls in suspense? If Thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered: “I speak[4] to you, and you believe not. The works that I do in the name[5] of My Father, they give testimony[6] of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me. And I give them life everlasting, and they shall not perish for ever, and no man[7] shall pluck them out of my hand. That which my Father hath given me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the hand of my Father. I and the Father are one.”
- ↑ Dedication. This Feast was kept in commemoration of the purification of the Temple and consecration of the altar by Judas Machabeus (Old Test. LXXXV).
- ↑ Jews. The unbelieving leaders of the people, and especially the members of the Sanhedrim.
- ↑ How long? It was no love of the truth which made them speak thus. They wished to force our Lord to declare Himself to be the Messias openly and before many witnesses. They meant then to accuse Him of making Himself a king; for most of the people believed that the Messias would be an earthly king.
- ↑ I speak. I have told you that I am the Messias (see chapter XXVI).
- ↑ In the name. In the power of the Father.
- ↑ Testimony. That the Father hath sent Me.
- ↑ No man. No one, that is, has the power of separating them from Me, for “I and the Father are one”, and, therefore, His power is My power.
