Thanksgiving and Hanukkah

This week’s blog is a condensation of a Thanksgiving message by Dr. Michael Harris in Wisconsin.

Mo. 12/2/13: John 10:22 - 23                  What was the Feast?

Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.

What was the Feast? The Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah, the Feast of Lights. This year Thanksgiving coincides with the first day (of 8) of Hanukkah. This will not recur.

Tu. 12/3/13: John 10:24                  What was the question?

Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

What was the question? The Jews asked Jesus Christ if He was the Messiah, the Anointed of God.

We. 12/4/13: John 7:45 - 46                  Why was the question asked?

Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”

The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”

Why was the question asked? Earlier, in the Feast of Tabernacles, Christ claimed this and was to be taken prisoner by officers of the Temple. They returned empty-handed with this comment.

Th. 12/5/13: John 7:37 - 38                  What was Christ’s invitation?

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

What was Christ’s invitation? Jesus Christ offered them the Holy Spirit who was yet to come.

Fr. 12/6/13: John 10:30 - 31                  Where did they find stones?

I and My Father are one.”

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.

Where did they find stones? This must have been the plan all along: stone Him! They could have collected stones for this purpose beforehand.