Hanukkah: Feast of Dedication
Before we understand the connection between Hanukkah and Jesus, we need to review the backstory of the holiday.
First of all, every December someone starts the debate over how to properly spell the name of this joyful event – is it Hanukkah or Chanuka? Maybe even Chanukah? Not an easy conundrum to solve, since the name is merely a transliteration of the holiday’s Hebrew name.
But the wiser question would be, is the actual name of the holiday the Festival of Lights or rather Feast of Dedication?
So, let’s take a closer look at Hanukkah’s propheticstory, to fully grasp its message of light and dedication.And, why Hanukkah mattered to Jesus.
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History of Hanukkah Before Jesus
Have you ever had a season in your life when you thought, God is surely silent and distant? Then, you realize later that He was simply working behind the scenes. What is more, He did it in a way that you never expected.
This has often been the traditional Christian view of Hanukkah.
It occurred less than 200 years before the life of Yeshua, between the time of Malachi and John the Baptist. This 400-year season in traditional biblical history is often referred to as “the silent years”.
Yet, God is rarely silent and was still at work behind the scenes.
The Books of Maccabees
The Hanukkah story is not recorded in the canon of Scripture (what we call the Bible). At its core, it is a celebration of casting Greek influences out of Jewish life and returning to God’s instructions for life and worship. In a word, it is re-dedication.
The book of 1 Maccabees in the Apocrypha speaks of Jewish zealots who were passionate for the Torah. They followed the ways of the Lord, and they could no longer compromise with the oppressive Greek influence of idol worship.
After years of outnumbered warfare, a great Jewish military victory was won. They threw out the foreign invaders, both physically and spiritually. As the first act of victorious freedom, their eyes turned to the desecrated temple.
Something needed to be done to rally and refocus the people to the worship of the One true God, as instructed by Moses.
Restoring the Temple
The Temple needed to be cleansed and restored. The Talmud tells us that the large golden menorah with 7 lamps was found and returned to its place.
However, the special oil found with it was enough only for one day. The process to make this holy oil was week-long. It involved beating (not pressing) the olives, then allowing them to sit, to naturally drain the oil.
Rather than continuing in darkness, the decision was made to follow the commandments with what they had. They followed instructions of Moses, even if for just one day.
A Step of Obedience
And you shall command the sons of Israel that they bring youclear oil of beaten olives for thelight, to make a lampburn continually. Exodus 27:20
They took the oil and lit all the wicks on the menorah. Yet, day after day the oil lamp flames miraculously remained burning bright. They lasted until the end of the 8th day when the new oil was ready.
This is the miracle of Hanukkah. Also called the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication, it speaks of God taking the little that we have and multiplying it.
Perhaps this is the God that you recognize.
He is the One who enjoys responding to overwhelming odds. He loves the passionate devotion of those that follow Him. And He is the One who multiplies the little that we offer Him into more than enough for a nation.
What is Hanukkah: Festival of Lights
Today Hanukkah is celebrated with a unique menorah with 9 branches, rather than the normal seven.
In many ways, Hanukkah celebrations resemble those commemorating the birth of Jesus. Gifts, decorations, sweet deserts and games are used to remember the great miracle that God provided in these 8 days and nights.
Hanukkah is also a holiday where a Shabbat – complete rest – is not required. It contrasts with Passover or other biblical holidays where the Scriptures command a Shabbat.
Regardless what day of the week it falls on, Hanukkah simply calls for a celebration.It is a time to be with family, remembering God’s deliverance of Israel in her time of need. And it’s a time for joyous songs and prayers.
It is not just a one-day celebration, but it lasts all 8 days. Much of the rejoicing centers around the nightly lighting of the 9-branched Hanukkah menorah, called Hanukkah.
What is a Hanukkiah (or Hanukkiyah)?
We finally get to the significance of the Hanukkah candles. There are eight candles for each day of the holiday. And then, there is one that is different.
Often it is positioned higher than the rest. Not seldom it is right in the middle. This unique candle has a special role, called the shamash, meaning servant.
Traditionally, the shamash candle has an exclusive job – to light all the candles on the Hanukkiah. Rather than lighting each candle with a match, only “the servant” is lit in the raised position.
The flaming servant is then used to light the rest of the candles. With each day of the celebration, a new branch is lit. Unsurprisingly, many recognize the role of Jesus in the special candle on the Hanukkah menorah.
Did Jesus Celebrate Hanukkah?
In the first century, you can imagine the excitement and festive atmosphere in the land, as the Temple stood in Jerusalem. Even Yeshua showed up for the celebration of this Feast of Dedication.
It was the season of remembering a victory of a righteous priestly deliverer. In the context of another occupation, this time Roman, the Jews come to Jesus and said: “if you are the Christ (Messiah), tell us plainly.”
John 6 tells the story of Jesus multiplying a few loaves and fish to feed 5000 people. And in John 8, He proclaimed Himself “the Light of the world”. Now, we are in John 10, at the time of Hanukkah.
Many saw the correlation, so they asked Him about it directly:
At that time theFeast of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the templearea, in the portico ofSolomon.The Jews then surrounded Him andbegansaying to Him, “How longwill You keep us in suspense? If You are theChrist, tell usplainly.” John 10:22-24
Why was Hanukkah Important to Jesus?
Jesus’ response was beyond what they expected. They were looking for salvation by an earthly deliverer from earthly problems. Jesus talked to them about eternal life and not being snatched from the Father’s hand.
And then, He stated, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30).
He was the Deliverer they were looking for, but for a life far beyond the earthly troubles. While being fully engaged in this world, there is another world that we are a part of. Jesus was celebrating with Israel the rededication of Temple.
Notice that John calls it the Feast of the Dedication and not the Festival of Lights. I don’t believe the latter is wrong but perhaps “dedication” is where we should put our focus.
Celebrating the Festival of Lights with Yeshua
Yeshua (Jesus) encouraged returning to God. He spoke of knowing His sheep and following His voice on a day that celebrated the return to the Torah.
From its inception, Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, is a time and season for rededication to God.
It could refer to the rededication of the Temple at the time of the Maccabean revolt. But what started the revolt was dedication to the Torah and to the God of Israel.
God loves responding to those that take the time to dedicate and rededicate themselves to His ways, regardless of personal cost.
But what if I’m a Christian?
Do Christians need to celebrate a Jewish military victory? Should they focus on a holiday that is not in the canon of Scripture, and happened in the “silent years”? The answer is, No. You don’t need to. But you GET to!
Aside from the fact that it was significant enough for Yeshua to join the celebrations. It is a wonderful time to reflect on the origin of the holiday. Dedicate yourself to God and His ways.
When we do, we may often find that God only feels silent and distant. But in reality, He is very near, preparing us for multiplication. And the time is coming when His Shamash – His Servant – will reignite His light in our life.
Hanukkah Guide: Free PDF Download
More than just “the Jewish answer to Christmas,” what is Hanukkah exactly? Where did this holiday originate?How did Jesus celebrate it?How do we celebrate Hanukkah today?
You’re about to get these answers to these questions and uncover the symbols, prophetic meaning and traditions of Hanukkah.
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Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
