WHUMPF! The lights blinked out leaving Joel enveloped in darkness as he stood in the building lobby. Visualizing the building, Joel remembered that Ben’s apartment was in the hall to the right. Slowly, he turned to the right and cautiously extended one foot and his hands. Feeling nothing, he repeated the process carefully taking one small step at a time. THUMP! “AWW!” “What did I hit?” he wondered rubbing his head.
Stumbling blindly forward again, he noticed light around a door far ahead. “Just follow the light,” Joel repeated like a mantra as the light guided him through the darkness. Reaching the door, Joel timidly knocked, tap, tap, tap. When the door opened, Joel broke into a huge smile at the sight of Ben and the source of light behind him. In the center of the room emitting a soft, warm, glow were the burning candles on the hanukkiah.
December is a time of lights. There are Christmas lights, Hanukkah lights and least we forget like Joel did, the flashlight phone app. For two of these lights, God provided miracles.
IT’S A MIRACLE!
We are all familiar with Christmas celebrating the miraculous birth of Jesus, who is the light of the world. But do you know the miracle of the Hanukkah lights? Let’s start with a little background.
Since the time of that miracle, Jews celebrate Hanukkah, also known as the Feast of Dedication, to commemorate the victory, temple rededication and miracle of lights. Did you know that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah?
At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem;
it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple,
in the colonnade of Solomon,
John 10:22-23 ESV
In Jesus’ time, Jews celebrated feasts in the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus was there when Hanukkah was celebrated bringing His light to the Jews.
Today, Hanukkah is celebrated with candle light. For 8 days a different candle is lit on a special nine branch menorah called a hanukkiah. Eight of the lights represents one of the 8 days. The ninth light, the “shamash” or “servant” candle, representing Jesus, is set apart & higher than the other candles on the hanukkiah. Just like our loving Lord Jesus is holy, set apart for holy use, and higher than all living things.
For such a High Priest, (Jesus),
was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners,
and has become higher than the heaven,
Hebrews 7:26
JESUS’ LIGHT
The lighting of the Hanukkah candles is a wonderful illustration of Jesus, the Son of God, as a servant to the world in human likeness giving His light of love to us, (Isaiah 42:1, Philippians 2:6-7). Each day, as the servant candle is used to light the other candles it reminds us that Jesus ignites His light within us.
For You will light my lamp;
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness,
Psalm 18:28
Like Joel followed the light guiding him through the darkness, we can follow the light too. As we walk through the darkness of this world, we can walk in faith following the light of Jesus to guide our way.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,
“I am the light of the world.
He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness,
but have the light of life.”
John 8:12
Whether we celebrate Hanukkah or not, in this season of lights, let’s add our light to the world to illuminate other’s path of faith through the darkness.
“Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven,”
Matthew 5:16.
REFLECTION
Do you feel like you are groping in darkness? Can you say this prayer?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write John 8:12 and say it aloud, enlighten my darkness and guide me with Your light. Strengthen my faith to follow Your light and be an example to illuminate other’s path of faith through the darkness. In Jesus name. Amen.
BY FAITH, FOLLOW THE LIGHT
May your day be filled with love and laughter!
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For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
Photo door, Lan Gao
Photo hanukkiah, Alla Kemelmakher
