Most Christians probably don’t think much about Chanukah having anything to do with Christ, although Jesus was, is and will be coming back as a Jew. On the other hand, Jews don’t think much about Chanukah having anything to do with Christ either, though Yeshua (Jesus) is in fact the promised Jewish Messiah. It is in Him that we must all “arise and shine” for His Light has come. Both conventional faith and cultural perspectives suffer from an exclusive either/or, this way or that way approach that hinders each others ability to have mutual understanding and edification. The fact that the historical Jesus is Jewish must be proclaimed for the greater good of both Christianity and Judaism. For Christianity to have a better understanding of its heritage and foundation and for Judaism to relate to and recognize the One Whom they have pierced as Messiah.
John 1:9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
Jesus is the promised Messiah who brings redemption, restoration and salvation to Israel and all the nations. He is the Light of the World and the Lamp that gives light to all of mankind.
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Light. Chanukah means dedication and it celebrates God’s gift of miracles, freedom and provision.
Outside of the Book of Maccabees’, the Gospel of John is the earliest Jewish documentation of Chanukah. It is in John that we find Jesus at the Temple during Chanukah, which is fitting considering Chanukah is the Feast of Dedication when the Temple was rededicated back to God. It is during this time that some of the Jews ask Jesus plainly if he was the Christ and he said “that he had already told them but they didn’t believe”. It was also during this time that those certain Jews wanted to kill him because he stated that “he and the Father were One”.
John 10:22-30 22At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
May His Light shine ever brighter in your life and the darkness of this world!
P.S. Chanukah starts this year on the evening of Dec 1 and lasts eight days.
December 1st, 2010 at 1:30 am
Enjoyed your message on Chanukkah. And since we know the timeline of John’s birth (the baptiser) at Passover, we know that Yahshua was born during the Feast of Tabernacles and that would put his conception at Chanukkah. The Feast of Dedication. How appropriate. Yah’s ways are amazing! And it is interesting that the newer testament does mention this Feast and the importance of Yahshua being at the Temple for this Feast.
December 11th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
[...] Chanukah for Christians? Here is a link to a blog I wrote last year called Consider Christ, Chanukah! [...]