In a visit several years ago to the Artemesion at Sardis, we saw a woman shepherd bring her flock of sheep (and goats, I think) across the ruins to pasture. This indelible image has helped me reimagine biblical language about shepherds, alongside Rachel’s actions in Genesis 29:9, and Elba, the shepherdess of aurochs in 7,300 BCE.
The specific mention of the Feast of Dedication is significant. It sets expectations of what a messiah does. Like Judah Maccabee, a liberator through violence. "Are you like that (we hope)?"
You would gather I am of another mind, but of course some commentators do want to read all the festal references as significant. I am however (even) less convinced that John has any alignment with the Maccabean agenda which would I think be inimical to his way of thinking about messianic identity and work. Thank you for commenting.
In a visit several years ago to the Artemesion at Sardis, we saw a woman shepherd bring her flock of sheep (and goats, I think) across the ruins to pasture. This indelible image has helped me reimagine biblical language about shepherds, alongside Rachel’s actions in Genesis 29:9, and Elba, the shepherdess of aurochs in 7,300 BCE.
The specific mention of the Feast of Dedication is significant. It sets expectations of what a messiah does. Like Judah Maccabee, a liberator through violence. "Are you like that (we hope)?"
You would gather I am of another mind, but of course some commentators do want to read all the festal references as significant. I am however (even) less convinced that John has any alignment with the Maccabean agenda which would I think be inimical to his way of thinking about messianic identity and work. Thank you for commenting.