The early date of Easter this year meant that for many of us sunrise services, egg hunts, and new Easter finery were all experienced under puffy down jackets and gloomy skies. It is only now, a month later, that it is finally feeling like spring, like it is time to celebrate the return of light and the sun. It is fitting, therefore, that this week’s gospel text jumps back in time to describe an encounter between Jesus and “the Jews” during the “feast of the Dedication.”

The feast John’s text refers to is known today as “Hanukkah.” Hanukkah is a festival of lights.

Instituted in 164 BCE, the festival of lights commemorates the triumphant retaking of the temple after the Syrian Antiochus IV had set up a pagan altar to Zeus Olypios on Judaism’s most holy site. Under the leadership of Judas …