We are in the eight days of Hanukkah and many have no idea of the meaning, even though it is in the New Testament. The simple definition is “dedication.” That is how you discover it in John’s Gospel. You may be surprised to learn that Jesus observed this holiday.
“Now it was the FEAST OF DEDICATION in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 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.” John 10:22-24
Hanukkah is called the Feast of Dedication for a reason. About 150 years before Jesus came, the Greeks desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem and were going to destroy it. The Jew defeated them under Judas Maccabee, but then needed to rededicate the Temple. The special nine-candle menorah, called a Chanukkiah, commemorates that great victory.
In the year 168 BCE, the Temple in Jerusalem was desecrated and renamed for the Greek god Zeus. Antiochus had outlawed Judaism, banning the observance of Shabbat and holidays. He set up altars to Greek gods in the Temple, and gave Jews a choice that unfortunately would become familiar in future centuries: Convert or die. The Maccabees decided to resist instead — and won, despite facing overwhelming odds. Forward.com
Jewish tradition tells us they had only enough oil for one day, but needed eight days to consecrated more oil. Thus the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. Yet, the real miracle was the defeat of the Greeks. So, they have eight candles that are lit sequentially each day. But what about the ninth candle? The Jews call it the servant candle, used to light the others. What an amazing revelation for Christians of Jesus who is called the servant-king and is the light of the world!
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
There is one more thing about the context of Jesus in the Temple for Hanukkah. They asked Him if He really was the Messiah to tell them plainly. A bit further down in John 10, the answer comes when He says he told them and they did not believe, and ends the paragraph with this declaration:
“I and My Father are one.” Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. John 10:30-31
They did not kill Him this time. It was one of half a dozen times they tried to kill Him before His time. But why? They considered it blasphemy to equate Himself with God. The reason they drew Him into declaring as the Messiah was so they had an excuse to kill Him. Yet, that would only come in the appointed manner and time of God’s own choosing.
I hope you see the value as a Christian to lighting the Hanukkah candles. Yes, we identify with our Jewish roots, but more importantly we worship and proclaim Jesus as the Son of God, Yeshua ben Yehovah!
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and continue to pray for seasonal rains in Israel.
Les Lawrence, voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
The Secret Place
16 01 2021Where is the secret place of safety spoken of in the Bible? Is it a geographical place, like Jerusalem? If it is a secret, how many people really know where it is? Let me share insight to the answer to this puzzle. The answer is hidden in plain sight. A friend this week urged all of us to get serious about Psalm 91. It is such a great encouragement in times of deep trouble, such as the events in today’s political landscape. I would like to touch on just one aspect: the secret place.
Verse 14 explains two reason He protects us. First is because we choose to love Him. Second, we know His name. Let me suggest the secret is connected to knowing His name. His name is Yehovah, the Almighty Creator God, the eternally existent One. His name is above every other name and every other God. Yet, it is even more than simply being aware of His name as a fact of knowledge, it is knowing Him! He desires that we have a relationship with Him. The Kingdom of God is, first of all, relational. It is not about theology or religion, it is personal. When I first met the Messiah Yeshua as my own personal Savior, I was born again. My life began there at that moment with an actual relationship with Jesus. That was also true in an amazing sense when I found a personal relationship with God, the Father Himself. We can walk and talk with Him as with a friend. Have you discovered this secret? Here is another way of saying the same thing.
This name, Yehovah, appears in the original Hebrew text over 6,800 times, but is miss-translated as “LORD” every time. Lord is a real word in Hebrew, Adonai, but it is not the name of Yehovah. He certainly is Lord, but there are many Lords in history, yet only one Yehovah. If you see “LORD” in all capital letters in your Old Testament, the real Hebrew word is Yehovah. If you see “Lord,” without all capitals, then the word is Adonai. This is part of the secret hiding place of His name. Start using His name, it will change your life. Some may pronounce it “Yahweh” or other slight variations, but still use it. Use His name. His name is the strong tower. The righteous (through the blood of the Passover Lamb, Yeshua) run into His name, Yehovah, and are safe!
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain in this rainy season in Israel.
Les Lawrence, voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
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Tags: Jerusalem, Jesus, Psalm 91, secret place, Yahweh, Yehovah, Yeshua
Categories : Israel Commentary