This week the celebration of Hanukkah begins. In Israel, there will be thousands of traditional 9-candle menorahs lit in windows on rooftops and in plazas all over the country.
But what is Hanukkah about? During the 2nd Century BCE, during the rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Jewish people were cruelly persecuted by the Seleucid government. When Antiochus desecrated the Temple, a Jewish family called the Maccabees finally arose to lead a revolt to break the harsh grip of the Greek despot over them. After three years of fighting, the revolt was successful, and Jerusalem was reclaimed and the Temple was rededicated to the worship of the Lord. The golden menorah in the Temple was lit using one small jar of oil that was found, only enough for one day. While a messenger was sent to get more consecrated oil, a journey that would take over a week, a great miracle happened. The light of the menorah did not go out for eight days until the new supply of oil arrived! Today, during this holiday also known as the Feast of Dedication, one candle is added to the menorah each night for eight nights to commemorate the eight days that the lamp in the Temple remained miraculously lit while awaiting the arrival of the sanctified oil.
You might say, “What does this Jewish holiday have to do with me?” Did you know that over 150 years after the miracle of Hanukkah that the New Testament says Jesus Himself celebrated Hanukkah in the Temple? Look at John 10:22-25,
“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.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe…’”
These Jews did not recognize or realize that the Light of the World was literally standing before them! It seems they were groping in the dark, completely blinded by their sin.
In the Hanukkah menorah there are nine branches or candlesticks, but Hanukkah is only observed for eight nights. So what is the ninth candle for? The ninth candle is elevated higher than the others. This candle, called the ‘Shemash’ or servant candle, is lit first, and then the light from the Shemash is brought down to light each of the other candles in order. This is a picture of Yeshua. He came down from Heaven as the Light of the World to drive out the darkness of sin and bring life to the hearts of men. He fills us with His hope and love and peace as we receive Him as our Savior. He places a bit of His light in our soul and commands us also to shine forth that light into the darkness of the world around us. Why? To fulfill His commands to us in John 12:32, 35-36,
“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself…A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
And that is what Hanukkah is all about—dispelling the darkness, driving back the evil of this sinful world and drawing others to know the grace and mercy and infinite love of the greatest Servant, our Savior, the Lord Yeshua, our Messiah! Therefore,
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
I pray you have a blessed and bright Hanukkah season.