By Peter Michael Martinez
Every year there is a festival that commemorates the MIRACLE of light that lights up the world!
This annual festival is based on events in Jewish history but also provide us with clues and insight concerning the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is known by the Jews as Hanukkah . . . the festival of lights.
It’s somewhat ironic that the only reference to the festival of Hanukkah occurs in the New Testament, not in the Tanakh.
In the Gospel of John we read that Yahusha [Jesus] was at the Temple during the “Feast of Dedication,” or Hanukkah:
At that time the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) took place at Jerusalem.
John 10:22-24 “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Yahusha [Jesus] walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.”
It is interesting to note that at this time Messiah was informing the Jews and the Jewish believers that HE was going to “open the sheepfold” to those who would be considered “outside” of traditional Israel. He was prophesying about the gentiles coming into the New Covenant during this time of dedication of THE TEMPLE!
It is also noteworthy that the LIGHT of the world let HIS WORKS declare who he is rather than plain announcements like the heathen do. He was content to BE light. He did not preach about Parties or denounce pagan practices that were all over Israel at the time. He did not talk about HIS BIRTH or even lighting candles.
He spoke and demonstrated LIGHT with good works that “glorify our father which is in Heaven” thus declaring our SONSHIP with conduct of SONS!
He created such a controversy by declaring YHWH as his father that they took up stones to kill him!
So we see that in shining LIGHT, we naturally rebuke the works of darkness and the darkness comprehends it not.
During a season of remembering miracles, Yahusha [Jesus] pointed out that the works that He did attested to His claim to be the long-awaited Mashiach of the Jewish people (John 10:37-38).
His works and character clearly displayed the true Light of who He was, and these works still shine through his disciples today as all who call him “LORD” are commanded to be the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
Yahusha [Jesus] was the first fruit of many brethren and when we light the first light of the Menorah, we are acknowledging HIM as the Light that starts a whole series of lights being manifest through the ages!
And of course, as Mashiach ben Yosef, our Suffering Servant, Yahusha [Jesus] is the Ultimate example – He is our Light who enables us to shine a sacred fire of sacrificial love to the darkened outside world.
How do we celebrate this festival?
Yahusha [Jesus] commanded “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt 5:16).
He told us that He is the Light of the world, and that whoever follows Him will not have darkness, but the Light of Life. Yahusha [Jesus] our Messiah gives us light, the very “light of life.”
What does this mean to you who claim to know Him and His message? How does this impact you as His follower in this darkened age?
Remember that even HE did not emphasize ceremonies or festivals but instead his emphasis was on LOVE manifested in good works. So while it is good to honor the memory of the miracle of the Oil in the story of the miracle at the temple in its rededication, it is far more important to BE light in a dark world.
The OIL
It is interesting to note that while the OIL is central to the original story of Hanukkah, the oil is never mentioned by Messiah except concerning the virgins awaiting HIS RETURN. The oil of the Holy Spirit that gives light at the time of his coming is what we should be focused on during this time more than natural oil or candles.
As you light candles in commemoration, let it provoke YOU to BE LIGHT when you are in a place of darkness and “let your light so shine before MEN that they see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven!”
Rather than a “substitute” for other pagan holidays and consumerism, the manner of the KING is that we bless and strengthen our brothers and sisters in this time.
This is a time or RE-DEDICATION so it is an excellent “window of heaven” to:
- Remember the Poor and be a blessing to them
- Visit the fatherless and widow
- Lay hands on the sick that they would recover
- Preach recovery of sight to the blind walking in darkness outside of his commandments
- Lead sinners back to their savior and the cleansing of sin
- Destroy the works of the wicked one through good works and love.
- Rededicate yourself to prayer and seeking HIS WILL for your life.
- Honor your Father and Mother and bless your family with HIS LOVE.
We are called to be part of His Temple, His Body, and at this time we should reflect on rededicating ourselves to the eradication of all that compromises us and tempts us to assimilate with the hell bound world around us.
It is only by the Light of Yahusha [Jesus] that we gain victory over the powers of darkness, since the darkness cannot comprehend the light. The darkness and compromises represented in the story of the original Hanukkah give us a picture of the warfare we must endure to keep our temple from contamination.
We see that in so doing, you WILL make yourself an enemy of the “status quo” and will bring division to those who are bent on their commercialism, consumerism, and self-centered customs and practices.
Uniting With Your Brothers And Sisters
Visiting our friends at Meir Panim which work hard to feed the poor and help those recovering from drugs, crime, poverty, and hardship.
It is an honor to work with such wonderful people. Shalom.
It cannot be forgotten that as our model and example, the KING dropped a piece of prophetic revelation at this time about the opening of the door to others who were “not of this fold” so that those who had ears to hear could hear.
He is speaking of the door that HE alone can open that lets in those who have a humble heart to receive forgiveness of sin. Sheep that know HIS voice, the voice of LOVE made manifest.
Rather than forming tight circles of “cliques” and “elites” as is the custom of most during this time, the redeemed OPEN the doors of opportunity for all who would come to receive the LIGHT of the world during this time and rededicate themselves to the ministry of inclusion, not exclusion.
When we walk in the Light, we have fellowship, unity with one another, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against such divinely sanctioned communion. May YHWH God of Israel, the Father of the Blessed One Yahusha [Jesus], help us all to behold the glory of His Light by abiding in His love!
May we turn to Him now and rededicate our own lives as temples cleansed and readied by His Spirit to honor His abiding Presence. Amen.
Wishing you a joyful time of celebrating the overcoming victory of the Light of the World! (John 1:5).
