Jesus celebrated Hanukkah. Shouldn’t we, too?

At Raveh, we believe that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Many Christian churches have lost their connection with the Jewish Scriptures that make up our history, and as a result the Biblical festivals are no longer honored, and people tend to be much more excited to hear about organizing a Christmas pageant for children than looking to the Scriptures for just what exactly we are doing. (No, we’re not against Christmas pageants. I’m sure when the church is bigger we’ll have one, too, with the kids dressed up like sheep and the older ones singing Hark the Herald Angels Sing). The point is: What happened to celebrating Hanukkah, followers of Christ?

Jesus celebrated Hanukkah.

John 10:22-24 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

The Feast of the Dedication = Hanukkah.

So, it is clear that Jesus along of the Jews of that time celebrated Hanukkah.

Time for a history lesson: Antiochus Epiphanes IV had defiled the Temple and persecuted the Jews. Antiochus demanded worship of his Greek gods, (Zeus, et al) and sacrificed pigs (a huge offense to Jews b/c of O.T. Law) on the altars that used to be holy altars dedicated to the God of Israel. Mattathias (you’d have to read the extracanonical book called Maccabees to get all of the details on this) got upset and started a revolt with his sons. They were a small group, but miraculously they were victorious. Later, Judas the Maccabee rededicated the Temple, having recaptured Jerusalem. [If you want to know more about Antiochus, look at the book of Daniel in your Bible. Daniel is full of prophecy concerning events surrounding the establishment of Hanukkah (Daniel 8:21-25).]

The dedication of the Temple occurred on the 25th day of Chislev. (Hebrew calendar… so roughly equivalent to sometime in midDecember using our calendar).

In the tumult, the Temple menorah (Exodus 25:31-35) was destroyed. When the Temple was rededicated, they realized that there was only enough oil to burn for one day. It took 8 days for new oil to be produced, apparently, so they were faced with a decision. Wait 8 days or light the little amount of oil they did have and so that at least the light would shine.

God is the God of miracles. The oil that should have only been sufficient for one day burned for 8 days until the new oil could be used. Because of this, Hanukkah (the Hebrew word for “Dedication”) was established and is celebrated for 8 days.

Barney Kasdan has written a helpful book for Christians who desire to understand the Biblical festivals: “God’s Appointed Times: A Practical Guide for Understanding and Celebrating the Biblical Holidays.” (ISBN 1-8802266-54-5)

One of the coolest things he points out is that not only did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah, “but He observed it in the same Temple that had been cleansed and rededicated just a few generations earlier under the Maccabees.”

Celebrate Hanukkah by reading some of these passages that talk about the Feast of Dedication. Saute some potato latkes, a traditional Hanukkah treat. Praise the God of Israel who gave victory to Israel and who provided the oil so that the Light would forever shine.

In John 10:24, the Jews want Jesus to tell Him plainly that He is the Messiah. The message of Hanukkah is exactly this. His answer in John 10:25-39 is the Hanukkah message, declaring that yes, Jesus Christ, Y’shua, is the Messiah, the Savior of the World.

Our deliverer has come!

As the Christmas song says, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Isra’el.”

Let us pray that nonbelievers will come to know Jesus as the true Messiah in these special days of Hanukkah and soon, Christmas.

Para informacion sobre Januca, haz clic aqui.

Tenemos que entender como cristianos que tambien Januca fue importante para Jesucristo.  El milagro de la victoria y el milagro de la aceite mostraron que Dios tienen todo bajo control.

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