A couple of observations. First, it amuses me that the Newport Beach Christmas Parade of Lights this year isnt happening on Christmas Day, but does fall completely within the bounds of Chanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Also, as regards Chanukkah, although the lighting of the Chanukkiah is the most prevalent display of the celebration, the holiday isnt about the lights. Chanukkah is a Hebrew word that means dedication, as in the Feast of Dedication mentioned in John 10:22. Its a commemoration of the historic re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem to the worship of G-d, after it had been corrupted and profaned by the Helenists who followed Antiochus Epiphanes. Talmudic sources tell us that, during the time when Jesus walked the Earth, huge chanukkiot (menorahs) were placed atop the walls of the Temple for the Festival. Their light was so bright on the last night, when all 9 lamps of each were lit, that it was like mid-day walking through the Old City at night. I wasnt there, so I cant say for certain, but I think that Jesus stood under these lamps when He gave His famous declaration, I am the Light of the World. He may have even gestured to that light and to Himself in order to make the point clear. His audience, being familiar with the Jewish holidays and symbolism, easily understood His saying. The Chanukkah light represents dedication. The lamps represented dedication to the Temple, but Jesus made clear that that dedication more rightly belongs to G-d who inhabits the Temple. As you, like Jesus, recognize the Feast of Dedication, take a look at your own heart and ask, to what am I dedicated? Is it to the Temple, to the Church, to the Synagogue? All of those things are deserving of some level of dedication, but it must be secondary to ones dedication to G-d Himself for the heart to be right. The Book of Hebrews points out that the Temple is a shadow of the Temple in Heaven. Now, a shadow can sometimes be an accurate representation of the thing casting it, but it is not the source of the light. You can see the shadow without seeing the light. Spend time in the light. Dedicate yourself to G-d, to Yeshua (Jesus), and you will be also dedicated to His service in corporate worship. It doesnt always work the other way around, though. You can be dedicated to the Church (or synagogue) without being dedicated to the L-RD. You cant be dedicated to the L-RD, though, without being dedicated to His people, who make up His Ekklesia.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 19:03:01 +0000
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