Paper 164 Overview: At the Feast of Dedication

Jesus secretly traveled to Jerusalem with Nathaniel and Thomas to attend the feast of dedication, despite the risks posed by the Jewish authorities who sought to arrest him. His purpose was to give the Sanhedrin one more opportunity to receive his message before his time on earth concluded. During this visit, Jesus taught through parables, engaged with Jewish leaders who were sympathetic to his message, and performed a significant healing miracle by restoring sight to a man born blind.

The healing of the blind man became a pivotal event that brought Jesus' mission to the attention of the Sanhedrin, who interrogated both the healed man and his parents. When the formerly blind man defended Jesus, he was expelled from the synagogue but subsequently found by Jesus and became a dedicated follower. Throughout this visit, Jesus demonstrated remarkable wisdom and courage, continuing to teach openly in the temple courts while the religious leaders debated what to do about him and his growing influence among the people.

Jesus, accompanied by Nathaniel and Thomas, secretly traveled to Jerusalem to attend the feast of dedication, which was a celebration of the rededication of the temple. The two apostles were unaware of Jesus' destination until they reached the Bethany ford of the Jordan, at which point they earnestly tried to dissuade him from entering Jerusalem where the Jewish authorities sought to arrest him. Jesus remained resolute in his decision, explaining that he wanted to give the teachers in Israel another opportunity to see the light before his hour came.

As they continued their journey toward Jerusalem, the apostles repeatedly warned Jesus about the dangers awaiting him there, but their concerns did not deter him. They stayed in Jericho for one night before proceeding to Jerusalem the following morning. Jesus' determination to face potential confrontation with the Sanhedrin demonstrated his courage and commitment to fulfilling his mission, regardless of the personal risk involved.

During their evening in Jericho, a considerable company gathered around Jesus and his apostles to ask questions. A lawyer, seeking to entangle Jesus in a compromising disputation, asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responded by asking the lawyer what was written in the law, to which the lawyer correctly answered that one must love God completely and love one's neighbor as oneself. When Jesus confirmed this answer, the lawyer, attempting to justify himself and embarrass Jesus, asked the follow-up question: "Who is my neighbor?"

Rather than directly challenging the narrow Jewish definition of "neighbor" as fellow Jews, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, describing how a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by robbers and left half dead. A priest and a Levite passed by without helping, but a Samaritan—traditionally despised by Jews—stopped to care for the wounded man, transported him to an inn, and paid for his care. When Jesus asked which of the three proved to be a neighbor, the lawyer had to acknowledge it was "he who showed mercy," thereby avoiding even the mention of the word "Samaritan." Through this parable, Jesus powerfully redefined the concept of neighbor to include all people in need, regardless of racial or religious divisions.

The principal event during Jesus' stay in Jerusalem occurred at Nicodemus' home, where about twenty-five Jewish leaders who believed in Jesus' teaching gathered to hear him. Among them were fourteen current or former members of the Sanhedrin, including Eber, Matadormus, and Joseph of Arimathea. Jesus impressed these learned men with his remarkable breadth of knowledge and deep understanding of both secular and religious matters, displaying a level of wisdom that astonished even his apostles.

After this meeting, the Jewish leaders sought to advise Jesus about winning over the remaining members of the Sanhedrin, but Jesus recognized that their plans would not succeed. He explained to Nathaniel and Thomas that if these sympathetic leaders were to openly accompany him before the seventy, it would only multiply the wrath upon themselves without mitigating the hatred directed at him. Jesus had not yet decided on his approach for bringing his work again to the attention of the Sanhedrin, but events the following day would provide an unexpected opportunity for him to do so.

On Sabbath morning, Jesus and his two apostles visited Martha in Bethany for breakfast before proceeding to Jerusalem. Near the temple, they encountered a man who had been blind from birth, sitting at his usual place. Jesus recognized this as an opportunity to once again bring his mission to the notice of the Sanhedrin. When Nathaniel asked whether the man's blindness was caused by his own sin or his parents', Jesus explained that neither had sinned to cause this condition; rather, this situation would allow them to demonstrate the works of God.

Jesus then mixed clay with his saliva, applied it to the man's eyes, and instructed him to wash in the pool of Siloam. Upon doing so, the man received his sight for the first time in his life. Jesus deliberately chose to perform this miracle on the Sabbath as a direct challenge to the Pharisees, knowing it would provoke a response from the religious authorities. His use of clay and spittle served multiple purposes: to encourage the man's slight faith through familiar methods, to provide a physical action that would help the man believe, and to teach his followers not to neglect material means in the healing of the sick.

By midafternoon, the healing of Josiah (the formerly blind man) had generated such discussion around the temple that the Sanhedrin convened a special meeting, breaking their own rule against meeting on the Sabbath. They summoned Josiah for questioning, who simply stated that Jesus had put clay on his eyes, told him to wash in Siloam, and now he could see. When some Pharisees argued that Jesus could not be from God because he broke the Sabbath, others questioned how a sinner could perform such miracles, creating division among them.

Unable to intimidate Josiah, the Sanhedrin called his parents, who confirmed he was born blind but were afraid to say more for fear of being excommunicated from the synagogue. When Josiah was questioned a second time, he boldly defended Jesus, saying, "Whether this man is a sinner, I know not; but one thing I do know—that, whereas I was blind, now I see." As the Sanhedrin members grew increasingly frustrated, Josiah continued his courageous testimony, pointing out the inconsistency in their position: they claimed not to know where Jesus came from, yet he had performed an unprecedented miracle. His bold defense resulted in his expulsion from the synagogue, but his testimony had shown remarkable courage and insight despite his limited understanding of Jesus' identity at the start of the trial.

While the Sanhedrin was interrogating Josiah, Jesus was teaching in Solomon's Porch, hoping they would summon him so he could tell them about the kingdom of God. However, the Jewish leaders were afraid to bring him before the council or to arrest him. Jesus taught the gathering crowd that he was "the light of the world" and that those who followed him would "not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life." When some attempted to stone him for blasphemy, Jesus escaped through the temple precincts.

After meeting Nathaniel and Thomas, who had witnessed the Sanhedrin session, Jesus waited for Josiah to emerge from the council chamber. Later, when they heard Josiah had been expelled from the synagogue, they searched for him. Upon finding him, Jesus asked, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" When Josiah inquired who this was, Jesus revealed himself, saying "You have both seen and heard him, and it is he who now speaks to you." Josiah immediately professed his belief and worshiped Jesus. Though cast out of a Jewish synagogue, Josiah was welcomed by the Creator of the universe to join the spiritual nobility of that generation, becoming a lifelong preacher of the gospel of the kingdom.