Tonight at sundown begins the Jewish celebration of Chanukah, also called the Feast of Dedication. It’s a traditional (as opposed to Biblical) holiday marking God’s deliverance of His people. The event remembers God's provision whereby He miraculously extended the oil lamps in the temple for eight nights instead of one as they fought the Greeks to retake the temple.
During this celebration, also called the Festival of Lights, additional candles are lit each night. On the first night the middle candle, called the servant candle, is lit. It is only from this candle that the other candles are lit.
John is the only one of the gospel writers that mentions this holiday. In John 10 we see Jesus in Jerusalem for the celebration, walking in the temple area. Interestingly, it is just the previous chapter of John that records Jesus' declaration, “I am the light of the world.”
That Light now lives in us. Jesus the servant, the source of light, puts His light in each of us. And we, together, provide His light to the world. May the Light that lives within each of us shine brightly, serving as a reminder of His deliverance and provision, and bring hope and healing to a world in darkness.
0 Responses