The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it. John 1:5, TLV
Light in the Darkness. Don’t you just love the imagery and beauty of this first chapter of John. The last of the Gospels to be written (around 90-95 C.E./A.D.), John brings a depth to the insights of what he experienced as a young man following Yeshua as he walked this earth. Imagine the awe of being with Jesus during His ministry, death, and resurrection. It’s easy to get lost in the wonder which may have necessitated the more historical approach of the other Gospels.
But decades later, after meditating and more in-depth study of the word, revelation deepens. Patterns arise. One thread begins in this chapter.
The true light, coming into the world, gives light to every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him; but the world did not know Him. (vss. 9-10, TLV)
John’s use of Light fascinates me. Not just because of the prophesies about God sending Light to overcome the darkness (Isaiah 9:1;5-6), but that John is the only one who mentions Hanukkah.
Then came Hanukkah; it was winter in Jerusalem. Yeshua was walking in the Temple around Solomon’s Colonnade. (John 10:22-23, TLV)
While Hanukkah is Hebrew for Dedication — as in the rededication of the Temple — it is also know as the Festival of Lights.
Then ADONAI spoke to Moses saying: “Order Bnei-Yisrael [Children of Israel] to bring to you pure olive oil, beaten for the light, to keep a lamp burning continually. Outside of the curtain of the Testimony, in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to keep it in order from evening to morning before ADONAI continually. It is to be a statute forever throughout your generations. He is to keep the lamps in order on the pure gold menorah before ADONAI continually. (Leviticus 24:1-4, TLV, emphasis mine)
When Antiochus the Greek/Syrian king (around 1st century B.C.E./B.C.) tried to do away with the Jewish people following the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he corrupted and contaminated the Temple. When Judah and the Maccabees miraculously defeated the great army, the Jewish priests had to rededicate the Temple, which included relighting the menorah, because it was commanded by GOD to keep it burning continually.
The legend is that the priests only had enough pure olive oil to burn for one day. However, God did a miracle and the oil burned for 8 days until another batch of pure oil was produced.
Seeing the tie-in to Light — Yeshua as Light of the World — is so beautiful. As we light the seventh candle of Hanukkah tonight, may we be reminded that His Light should burn in us continually. That we can be His lights in a dark world.
Happy Hanukkah and Shabbat shalom.
