The name Hanukkah means “dedication” and is actually mentioned as a feast attended by Jesus in John 10. In John 10:23 it says Jesus was walking in the temple. I wonder what he was thinking? It was the feast of the dedication (Hanukkah) which is the celebration of the rededication of the temple so was he thinking about the events that had established Hanukkah? Perhaps. Interesting that he was in the temple at the time because Hanukah has everything to do with the Temple.
The second temple was built after the return of the Jews from the Babylonian exile.
What happened that the second Temple had to be again dedicated to God? At the time, Judah was under the rule of Antiochus IV who imposed pagan practices on the Jews while banning the practices ordained by God. He desecrated the Temple by removing the implements required by the Temple design given by God. Pagan idols were set up and a pig sacrificed on the Temple altar. These things Antiochus did with the Temple were and abomination that made the Temple desolate. The “abomination of desolation”. Most went along with the pagan requirements since it meant severe punishment to do otherwise.
In the midst of the practice of these pagan abominations, one man took a stand for God and decided enough was enough. He chose to defy the pagan practices and instead live in accordance with God’s ways.
The encyclopedia Britannica tells us about “Judas, a son of Mattathias and the hero of the Jewish wars of independence, 168–164 BCE”. Mattathias sparked a rebellion against the forces of Antiochus when he opposed those who were preparing to offer sacrifice to the new “gods”.
Long story short, the outnumbered, outclassed army of the Maccabees had victory after victory against the superior forces of Antiochus because God was with them. They eventually reclaimed Jerusalem and the temple. They found the temple desolate and defiled. But they committed to restore the temple and so they purged it of the abominations brought in by Antiochus. The Temple was restored to the design required by the Lord and rededicated to God with a celebration that lasted 8 days – the festival of lights. This festival established during that time has been celebrated since then with the lighting of the Menorah. Interesting that the festival is not required by the Lord – and yet there is Messiah walking in the Temple on the very day of that festival. Imagine all of the Menorahs shining in the night in Jerusalem. It must have been beautiful to see the lights shining in the darkness with Jesus Himself, the light of the world, standing in the Temple.
And now we who believe are the temple of God. The bible says we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 16:19-20). Hanukkah is thus rich with meaning for Christians. We too are called to take a stand for God and His ways in these dark days (Eph 6:13).
What abominations of the culture have desolated your heart? Its time to take a stand as the Maccabees did. Its time to fight back to recover the spiritual ground lost in your life. If you are willing then God is with you. Its time to purge the living temple of God – if you are a believer you know what I mean. Its time to rededicate the temple of your heart back to the Lord. The time of your personal Hanukkah is here. Take a stand. Set apart Christ as Lord once again and let your Menorah light shine brightly in a dark world that so desperately needs the light of the world – Jesus. (Mat 5:14).
