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Hanukkah is certainly one of the most joyful of the Jewish festivals. Families gather around the brightly glowing Hanukkah candles, one added for each of the eight nights of the festival. Eight joyful nights of songs, story telling, and thanksgiving for the great miracle God performed in the days of the Maccabees.
At Hanukkah we commemorate the great victory Judah Maccabee and his small band of Jewish zealots had over the tyrant Antiochus IV and his armies. We remember also the greater miracle of the small flask of oil which, although a supply sufficient for just one day, burned for eight days in the newly liberated, cleansed and rededicated Temple in Jerusalem. Among these reasons to rejoice, three themes emerge as we celebrate Hanukkah, freedom, light and oil. Why is each of these important for us today?
As we study and retell the story of Hanukkah, some people of today might find it hard to relate to the zeal of the Maccabees and their freedom-loving band of followers. Why, we might ask, would someone be willing to risk his life and security for what many might consider a minor religious or philosophical disagreement? After all, the Hellenistic culture Antiochus was trying to impose upon the Jewish people had much to offer. Hellenistic art, philosophy, architecture and poetry were sophisticated, modern and impressive. In fact, the influences of Hellenistic culture continue to impact our culture to this day. Some influential Jewish voices at the time of the Maccabee revolt argued for compromise and inclusiveness. Why make such a fuss over this alien culture? Couldn’t a compromised, modern version of Judaism emerge as a hybrid Judeo-Hellenism? Certainly it wasn’t worth losing your life over, was it?
Having to choose between unadulterated biblical faith and the worldview of the prevailing culture is something the people of God have always faced. Joshua challenged the children of Israel at Shechem, “If following the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves whom you will serve. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Later in Israel’s history, Elijah the prophet also called for a choice: “How long will you waiver between two opinions? If the Lord is God then follow Him. If Ba’al is God then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). Like Phinehas, who stood up and took a radical stand against Israel’s compromise with the immorality of the Midianite culture (Numbers 25), there have always been faithful voices in Israel to call us to teshuvah (repentance) and to turn back to God. These brave voices, like the Maccabees, have often been in the minority; to most people, their convictions have seemed unenlightened and out of touch with modern culture. For those like the Maccabees who took their stand for God, even at the cost of their lives, the choice was clear. The human soul is created for God. To live in disobedience to God’s Law is suicide. The choice is as simple as that. Those who stood faithfully upon the promises of God, even at the expense of shedding their own blood in martyrdom, fully understood what was at stake. In the hands of God, the precious offering of one life can be used to perform great miracles. Like that small flask of pure temple oil, our seemingly small lives can burn brightly with God’s Spirit when we fully offer ourselves to Him.
Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah of Israel and of all mankind, taught in Jerusalem at Hanukkah. He said, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. For this reason my Father loves me, because I lay down my life for the sheep. I lay it down only to take it up again” (John 10:14-17). Yeshua also taught, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).At Hanukkah we celebrate the miracle of the oil and God’s gift of freedom and light. May you and those you love be blessed this year with the greatest gift of all – freedom, joy and the light of Messiah Jesus.
