“HANUKKAH”-A festival of lights, and a picture of the real light that has come into the world…

For many people Hanukkah has always been a Jewish holiday and tradition. This would be correct considering the fact that it has to do with the Jewish Temple in Israel almost 2,200 years ago.  And since then has been celebrated by Jewish people all over the world. Although you won’t find the event that began Hanukkah in the Bible itself, there is an obscure reference to an event similar to that which was the setting for Hanukkah found in Daniel  9:27, but that’s about it. You would have to go to extra Biblical writings, ancient Jewish texts or ancient historical writings to find it, but it’s there and the story is true with all it’s glory. The Hanukkah ‘miracle’ is truly amazing. But what many people don’t know, is that Hanukkah is mentioned in the New Testament! Not only that, but the Scripture mentions Jesus at the Temple during this time of the year when everyone else is celebrating it as well (John 10:22)., and His conversation with the teachers of the law that followed had to do with miracles, with which Hanukkah is mostly remembered.

It wasn’t just a tradition for 1st century Jews, it was a celebration of God’s faithfulness and a commemoration of an actual event when God honored their efforts in cleansing the Temple and relighting the burned out Menorah that was a symbol of the Spirit and presence of God. As believers in Jesus, we talk often of tradition and how that can get in the way of our true worship of God, especially when there is no Biblical basis for it, for example: Santa Clause, Christmas trees (Jeremiah 10:1-5 referring to Idols and Icons which the Christmas tree can easily become, for example the song ‘Oh Christmas Tree’), wreaths, Yule Logs, Flying reindeer, and so on, as well as the Easter bunny, eggs, etc). In fact, Jesus said the same things to the Pharisees in Mark 7:8,  when they asked Him why His disciples didn’t wash their hands before eating, and Jesus answered, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the tradition of men.” The Hanukkah story may not be in the pages of the Bible, but Jesus felt it important enough to make His presence known at the Temple during the celebration and John the Apostle found it important enough to mention His presence at the celebration in his Gospel.

The story of Hanukkah begins around 165 B.C. in the land of Israel, which at that time was controlled by the Seleucid King of Assyria. The Jewish people paid taxes to Syria and accepted its legal authority, and they were free to follow their own faith, maintain their own jobs, and engage in trade. Up to this time the land was controlled by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, who had taken control of much of the greater area at that time. It was their goal to influence the entire world with the Greek culture (Hellenistic culture) and Ideology, which included things such as-formal/higher education (Universities), athletics (Developed the Colosseum), philosophy and the Greek language. This seemed to many people like a wonderful culture and society, so much so that it still influences us today, and is the basic structure of the western world, especially America. During Alexander’s reign he became quite impressed with the Jewish life and Religion and highly respected them and sought to befriend the Jews, yet he was still not swayed from his ambitions to influence the world with Greek culture, including the Jews. After Alexander died the kingdom was divided into fourths and a man named Antiochus Epiphanes (who’s name means-God in the Flesh or God Manifest) controlled Israel.

But God already had a plan in place for the world long before the Greeks came. He had set apart a nation for Himself, revealed Himself to them and had given them the law, and instructed them to live by it and to learn to love the Lord their God. This was God’s plan and culture for the world, one of love and grace and respect for fellowman, with no class distinction. But by the time Antiochus Epiphanes had taken control, many Jews had converted to the Greek culture and where actually speaking Greek rather than Hebrew! They were called Hellenistic Jews living in both Jewish and Greek/Roman cities inside and outside of Israel. You know, once we let ourselves be influenced by another culture or sub-culture, it’s only a matter of time before things that are the fabric or essence of our society vanish. At this point Judaism was outlawed, Antiochus Epiphanes looted the Temple, set up a statue of Zeus and slaughtered a pig on the alter of God! Many Jews were killed and Israel was in Jeopardy. This sparked a revolt, and in a small community in central Israel (Modiin) their lived a Family known as the Maccabees. The Father, Mattathias was a Priest and he had five sons-who led the revolt. One of them in particular was very zealous, his name was Judah-nicknamed Judah HaMakabi (Judah the Hammer).

The revolt was successful. They reclaimed much of the city of Jerusalem as well as the Temple and Temple Mount. When they entered the Temple and began to ‘cleanse’ it from the pagan sacrifice the Greeks had made to Zeus, they noticed the Menorah, which is the seven stemmed lamp stand that stays continually lit in the Temple, had been knocked down and put out. This was only the second of three times in all of History when the light had been put out. The first being the destruction of the Temple in 586 B.C by the Babylonians, and the third was when the temple was destroyed for the last time later in 70 A.D. a few decades after Jesus’ resurrection. In their efforts they set the Menorah up and looked to find the oil used to light the Menorah and found only enough for maybe a day or so. This special oil is made of pure and sacred olive oil and used only for the lamp stand. With only enough for a day, they needed to consecrate more, unfortunately this would take quite a while.

As they preceded to make more oil for the Menorah, day after day miraculously the lamp stand stayed lit! After 8 days had passed and the new oil was ready the flames of the Menorah were still burning. This is what we know of today as the Hanukkah miracle. God had blessed their efforts to re-dedicate the Temple and sanctify His name in the Earth. The Menorah was originally lit by God when the tabernacle was built shortly after the Exodus from Egypt and they were instructed to keep it lit just like the alter was to always have a sacrifice burning on it. This is why there are 8 stems on the Menorah used for Hanukkah plus one making 9. Why the extra candle? This is the beauty of Hanukkah. The Menorah used for Hanukkah is called a Hanukiyah. It has 8 stems symbolizing the 8 days the Menorah stayed lit in the Temple and one extra called a ‘Shemash’ which means Servant. When lighting the Hanukiyah, you first light the ‘Shemash’. If you notice on the picture above, the center stem is ‘high and lifted up’. It’s usually in the middle or at either end, but always higher than the others. This is a picture of Jesus, who came as a servant to give light to the world and who is also the Son of God who is ‘High and lifted up’. Use the ‘Shemash to light or give light to the other candles, one candle for each day. This is an amazing picture of Jesus!

Day 1-Light the Shemash and then the first candle (L to R or R to L)…if you like you can sing songs like, Light of the world, Let you light shine, etc. It is a great time of focusing on the Lord, worship and family time or invite friends as well.

Day 2-Light the Shemash and then the first candle, then the second candle…and continue until you light all 8 (Shemash first and each day in order) on the 8th day! During the 8 days of, Hanukkah it is tradition (tradition only, you don’t need to), to eat fried foods as you celebrate each evening of the candle lighting.  This is symbolic of the oil used for the Menorah. Sufganiot (doughnuts) and Latkies (potatoe pancakes) are traditional, but anything fried is good. (There are many recipes for Hanukkah on the web)

John 1:4 says, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” Jesus is the light of the world, when the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, in what form did He appear? As flames of fire! God’s Spirit and presence has gone from the Menorah in the Temple of stones to our heart of flesh. Jesus said, ‘You are the light of the world…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. The New Testament says that we, the body of Christ, are the Temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16). This is the spirit and heart of Hanukkah and why we believe that it is important for all believers in Jesus to celebrate such a glorious holiday. Jesus honored the festival by going to the temple just as the Father honored the efforts of His children in re-dedicating the Temple. Please join with us as we celebrate!

May your holiday season be bright and filled with joy…Chag Hanukkah Sameach! (Happy Hanukkah!)

SALT OF THE EARTH