by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta
Last Friday, December 8, began the Festival of Lights called Hanukkah.
What can this special celebration mean to those who are not Jewish?
The observance of Hanukkah commemorates the victory the
Maccabees won when the Roman ruler Antiochus Epiphanes overran Jerusalem and
violated the temple.
Jews were forbidden to make sacrifices or worship God in any
form.
Antiochus sacrificed pigs on the temple’s altar.
Can you imagine the despair the people of Israel felt seeing
these heathen practices unfold in their precious place of worship?
The courage of the Maccabees to confront a massive army
of superior strength shows us how God is the Lord of the impossible.
They were able to defeat and expel the Romans despite their
underdog status.
Isn’t this how God works? He confounds the ways of the
world and uses weaker vessels to create a mighty victory. He does this to show it’s
His power and not man’s efforts.
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame
the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the
things which are mighty. (1 Corinthians 1:27 NKJV)
After the Maccabees had control of the temple again, they
needed to purify the area. Lighting the Menorah for eight days was part of this
process. But to their dismay the amount of oil available was only enough for
one day.
Enter God’s miraculous provision again. Behold, the
Menorah burned for eight days anyway.
Just like Jesus multiplying the loaves and fish, the flame
burned throughout those days of purification.
Rabbi Jason Sobel calls this a time of “fighting and
lighting.” They fought, won, and the lights reflected the victory.
The same God of the impossible shines His light today. The
Holy Spirit fills us with the Light of the world. The devil can’t extinguish
heaven’s brilliance.
Hanukkah can mean as much to us as Christian believers as
this celebration does for the Jewish people.
The brave Maccabees can inspire us to stand in the face of
evil and not give up. It would have been easy for them to think their efforts
would do no good. But the didn’t do that. They stood against the enemy and the
adversity, and with God’s help, they won.
With so much evil in the world today sometimes we can
think it does no good to pray or believe. But we must remember God works in the
spirit and we can’t always see what He is doing. He tells us to not to grow
weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9–10). Those who endure to the end will be
saved.
The best gift we can give to ourselves is to stay strong and
not give up.
As you see the lights of Christmas this year, may the
remembrance of God’s miraculous provision and victory reflect in your heart.
Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!
Join the conversation and share your thoughts.
What can Hanukkah mean to those who are non-Jewish believers? (click to tweet)
Thank you for sharing and reminding us of the character of God by showing His provision and response to care and need in ways that are distinctively His. When we read about these, though He may not provide in those ways for us- His character to provide in ways we need remain. We are inspired to trust in a God who is faithful and knows us.
ReplyDeleteWe can be thankful God doesn't change. He is the same one who provides and protects us that provided for His people for centuries. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
DeleteThis was a great review and so helpful to Christian believers. What does not enduring to the end? Is this for the believer today or the Jew? What does saved mean in this context?
ReplyDeleteAccording to Acts 16:31 we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. But believing means more than believing He exists. Believing means committing and being faithful to Him. Jew or Gentile He is Lord for all people. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
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DeleteThank you, Barbara Latta. God loves us so much that He gave us the greatest gift of the Messiah. His ways do not change, and He still provides for me.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Thanks for sharing this beautiful example of our Lord. Blessings!
DeleteThe story of the Maccabees can be inspiring for all. When we did our "Christmas Around the World" theme in school, the children always responded to the story of Hanukkah. Thanks for the additional insight your post highlights.
ReplyDeleteHanukkah should be included in our Christmas celebrations. We all need to remember the miraculous light God provided and how He gave us the Light of the world. Thanks for sharing, Candyce. Blessings and Merry Christmas!
DeleteBarbara, I really enjoyed learning more about Hanukkah. We need these stories of God's faithfulness in hard times. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful these stories are recorded for us to inspire and teach us. We do need them to remind us of God's never ending faithfulness. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Debbie. Merry Christmas!
DeleteI like the concept of "fighting and lighting" to remind us that there is a heavenly battle, but our Lord will reign triumphant. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI like that phrase also, Joanna. It really resonated with me when I read that from Rabbi Jason Sobel. Jesus will remain triumphant. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!
DeleteThanks Barbara! Jesus is the light of the world, and in this season of lights and candles, the story of Hanukkah is a great reminder of His victory.
ReplyDeleteThe faith and courage of the Maccabees are an inspiring example for us. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.
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