Jesus can be found in Hanukkah because He is the Light of the world!

Happy Hanukkah! The word Hanukkah is Hebrew for “dedication!” This holy holiday is also known as the “Feast of Dedication” and “Feast of Lights” and speaks of the supernatural provision of oil from God. God miraculously allowed one day worth of oil to maintain the flame of the Menorah for eight days! Even though it seemed to the natural eye that there was not enough oil, God worked a miracle by putting multiplicity to action!

It’s the year of “open doors” in the Jewish year 5784. It is the appointed time from God to recognize, His Door, Jesus Christ, as the Light of the World. It is the time to recognize that God, the Son, Jesus Christ and God, the Father, are one.

This holy holiday is observed during 25 Kislev – 2 Tevet, which usually falls between November or December. This year Hanukkah falls specifically during December 7th in the evening and concludes on the evening of December 15th of 2023. Every year during this feast it is custom to read the story of Joseph, who was rejected by his brothers. The stories read focuses on Joseph being thrown into the prison and then being released from the prison. We can also see how the blessings of Joseph in Genesis 49:22-26, connects the shepherd and the stone (“evan” אֶבֶן in Hebrew) of Israel watching over Joseph. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the Chief Cornerstone, who watches over us, and was rejected by many for proclaiming that He is one with Father. We can find this feast in the Word of God:

“It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of HANUKKAH, the FESTIVAL OF DEDICATION” (John 10:22).

It was during this Feast, and extremely significant that Jesus reveals who He is at this appointed time. “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). Additionally, the Feast of Dedication speaks of the persecution that worshipers of Jesus Christ may face, but to remain strong, courageous, and faithful to Him. It also speaks of the prophetic event that will happen to the believers of Christ that will be persecuted in the last days, when the Antichrist will have his time to reign, but to remain faithful, true, fearless, and persevere in serving Jesus Christ until the end. Those who endure, like the Macabees, will be rewarded if they stand courageously.

This Feast commemorates the victory of the Macabees and the purification of the Second Temple in 165 B.C. after the Greeks invaded and defiled the Temple preventing the Jews from worshiping God freely. You may wonder how the temple was defiled. Well, to answer your question King Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria, who ruled the at that time, slaughtered a pig on the altar and then was audacious enough to put the blood on the scrolls. He erected Zeus in the temple, and outlawed the Jewish people from following the commands of God. He forced them to follow the Greek culture and to turn from their Jewish heritage. He threatened them with death if they did not conform, which caused the Jews to compromise.

But through God’s power, God used a band of five brothers known as the Macabees, a Jewish renegade army, or better yet, “rag-tag team,” to bring deliverance with victory! The revolt of the Macabees started from the righteous indignation of a Godly priest, Matthias Macabee, making a stance to maintain the ways of God. Eventually the legacy continued with his son Judah Macabee, who led the revolt, which also consisted of an army of everyday people, such as shepherds and farmers to help fight, which proves that their trust and strength relied on God! The bravery and courageousness of the Macabees caused the temple to be rededicated and Sukkot to be celebrated again after three years of going without it.

“Macabee” is Hebrew for “hammer,” “hammerer, or “extinguisher.” This rag-tag team was used as God’s weapon, hammer, and extinguisher! Even though each Macabee was outnumbered by six to one Macabee soldier, the Macabees were not defeated. Instead they were victorious! The Macabees drove the Greeks out of the temple, recaptured it, and then rededicated it! Spiritually, they were used as a hammer to beat the Greeks out, therefore, causing the desecration in the temple to be extinguished. Hallelujah! Then the Macabees found a flask of oil within the rubble to light the Menorah. They blessed that flask of oil in faith and God multiplied it! The oil was only enough for one day, but God allowed it to supernaturally burn for eight days, which was longer than one could imagine!

As mentioned before, God allowed the flame to burn eight days, which is significant because it takes eight days to bring purification to new oil! Hallelujah! That is why eight candles are lit on the Menorah on the Nine-Candle Menorah. One candle is lit per day, with a servant candle in the middle, to make nine. Nine represents deliverance and also the Fruit of the Spirit. We see how God brought deliverance by granting victory to the Macabees.

The “Shamash” known as the servant candle, is the center candle of the Menorah, and is higher than the other candles. The Shamash is used to light the eight candles from right to left. The servant candle represents, Jesus, the Servant who came to serve (Matthew 20:28), being the Risen One, and the Light of the World (John 8:12), that will give us light and bring us light in the midst of darkness. The servant candle is to be held in the right hand, because Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God! Jesus’ body, which was His temple that was dedicated to God, was torn down by His sacrifice for our sins, but it was rebuilt in 3 days. This is a miracle!!!

Enjoy this time of Hanukkuh! Each day within the eight holy day period, you and your family can focus on the Fruit of the Spirit, one fruit per day: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, which can be found in Galatians 5:22-23. Since there are nine fruit, “love” can be the one that can be paired daily with the other eight fruit since “love” is the highest command of God. I believe that is why the center candle which is the “servant candle,” represents Jesus, because He is the highest of all, who issues the highest command of all…to love.

The traditional food during this feast are donuts fried in oil and potato pancakes, along with other fried foods, to represent the miracle oil that was multiplied. The game driedel is also played at this time. The letters on the dreidel represent the phrase, “A Great Miracle Happened Here.”

May this be a time of dedication to Jesus for you and your family. May you use this time to also rededicate your temple, which is your body, to Jesus as His Spirit fills you! May Jesus be your eternal light, bring deliverance. May you be strong, faithful, and courageous as you reflect on His promise to return and deliver His people during a time of high persecution. God shall bring victory and deliverance! MOST importantly, Jesus is our Deliverer from death, sin, and the grave! He, who is our eternal light, is worthy to be celebrated during this holy time of dedication!