Hanukkah is very important in Jewish history for all believers. As several other Messianic rabbis/teachers have said, “if there was no Hanukkah, there would be no Christmas.” In other words, if there had been no Jewish nation to bring forth the Messiah, he would have not been born as the light to the nations. Yeshua himself said to the Samaritan woman that “salvation comes from the Jews” [his Hebrew name Yeshua means salvation] (see the Gospel of John, Chapter 4:19-24). Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over an attempt by Satan to destroy the Jewish people, and ultimately prevent the Messiah from being born.
The Gospel of John [10:20-42] records Yeshua teaching during the Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah. It was winter, and as he walked in Solomon’s colonnade of the Temple, his people surrounded him and asked, “How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us publicly!” He answered, “I have already told you, and you don’t trust me. The works I do in my Father’s name testify on my behalf.”
Hanukkah is a time of realizing the great miracle Yeshua did for us by atoning for our sins through his death and ressurection, his gift of eternal life, and his promise to dwell within each one of us through his Holy Spirit. It is a reminder that we are called to keep our lives, or our temples, cleansed by continually dedicating ourselves to him and abiding in him. Also in John 10, Yeshua tells us that he is the good shepherd, and that his sheep recognize his voice. During Hanukkah he says that his sheep follow him. Hanukkah is a reminder that we are called to listen for the voice of the good shepherd, to follow him in obedience, and know that in him we have a great high priest who lives to make intercession for us. When we confess our sins, he cleanses us continually through his blood. He truly is our good shepherd.
photo credit: thewisdomdaily.com
K'vod Yisrael 