Jesus and Hanukkah - The Good Shepherd vs The Maccabees

Jesus and Hanukkah - The Good Shepherd vs The Maccabees

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, delivered by Matthew Vander Els, explores the profound connections between the Old Testament festival of Hanukkah and the person and ministry of Jesus Christ, particularly as depicted in the Gospel of John. The message delves into the historical context of Hanukkah, its spiritual significance, and how Jesus fulfills the deeper meanings of this important Jewish tradition. By examining these connections, we can gain a richer understanding of Jesus' identity and his role as the true place where humanity encounters God.

The Historical Roots of Hanukkah

The teaching begins by outlining the historical backdrop of Hanukkah, which occurred around 165 BCE during the rule of the Seleucid Greek Empire over Judea. Following Alexander the Great's death, his empire was divided among his generals, and the Seleucid Empire gained control of the region. The Greeks, believing in the superiority of their culture and philosophy, sought to impose their way of life on the Jewish people. While some Judeans embraced Hellenistic culture, the Greeks did not respect Jewish traditions such as circumcision, kosher dietary laws, and the observance of the Torah.

This cultural pressure eventually escalated into severe oppression under Antiochus Epiphanes, the leader of the Greek army, who even proclaimed himself to be a manifestation of God. A pivotal moment of abomination occurred on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev when a pagan altar was erected on top of the altar in the Jewish Temple, and sacrifices to pagan gods, likely including a pig, were offered. This act profoundly defiled the holiest place in Judaism.

In response to this desecration, a priestly family known as the Hasmoneans, also called the Maccabees, led a rebellion against the Greeks. After a series of battles, the Maccabees were victorious and drove the Greeks out of Judea. They returned to the Temple, heartbroken by the defilement they witnessed. They cleansed and purified the Temple, but faced a dilemma regarding the altar, which had been desecrated by pagan sacrifice. They decided to tear down the defiled altar and build a new one according to the commands of the Torah, using unhewn stones.

On the very same day that the Temple had been defiled, the 25th of Kislev, the new altar was dedicated to God. The people sought guidance in Scripture regarding the dedication of an altar and found a precedent in King Solomon's dedication of the first Temple during the eight days of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Consequently, they held an eight-day festival of dedication, which is why Hanukkah lasts for eight days. The Hebrew word "Hanukkah" itself means dedication. This celebration was also seen as a delayed observance of Sukkot, as they had been unable to celebrate the fall festivals during the time of oppression.

The teaching highlights a seemingly minor detail: the Maccabees did not discard the stones of the defiled altar. Instead, they stored them on the Temple Mount in a designated place, awaiting the guidance of a future prophet as to what should be done with them. This act underscores the sense of holiness attached to objects once dedicated to God, even if they had been defiled.

While many associate Hanukkah with the military victory of the Maccabees, the core reason for its continued celebration is the rededication of the altar. It serves as an annual reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always an opportunity for restoration and renewed communion with God. Hanukkah commemorates the moment when the seemingly impossible, the defiled altar, was restored through God's power and grace. This historical event provides a powerful metaphor for examining and rededicating the "altar of our hearts."

Jesus and the Feast of Dedication

The teaching then shifts to the Gospel of John chapter 10, where we find Jesus in Jerusalem during the Festival of Dedication, or Hanukkah. The Gospel writers were selective in the events they included, often emphasizing specific aspects of Jesus' identity and mission. John's Gospel, in particular, consistently highlights Jesus' deity, his role as the true light, and his identity as the true temple, the place where heaven and earth meet.

John strategically uses Jewish feast days to reveal Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of their purpose. For example, during Passover, John presents Jesus as the bread of life, echoing the manna in the wilderness during the Exodus. Similarly, during the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus offers living water, connecting to the water-pouring ceremony of the festival and proclaiming himself as the one who truly quenches spiritual thirst.

In John chapter 10, the context of Hanukkah provides another significant backdrop for understanding Jesus' claims. As Jesus walked in Solomon's colonnade in the Temple courts, the Jewish leaders questioned him about his identity as the Messiah. Jesus responded that he had already told them, but they did not believe. He pointed to his works, done in his Father's name, as testimony to who he was. However, he stated that they did not believe because they were not his sheep. He further declared, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

Application for Everyday Life

The message concludes with a call for personal reflection and rededication, drawing parallels between the historical rededication of the Temple and the need to examine our own lives.

• Examine your heart: Just as the Temple was defiled, our hearts can become cluttered with things that are not pleasing to God, such as sin, distractions, and misplaced priorities. Take time for honest self-assessment.
• Identify defilement: Recognize the specific areas in your life that need cleansing and rededication. This could involve breaking free from sinful habits, letting go of worldly attachments, or repenting for attitudes that hinder your relationship with God.
• "Tear down" what is impure: Be willing to take decisive action to remove these defilements from your life. This might require difficult choices and a commitment to change.
• Seek rededication: Instead of trying to rebuild yourself, cry out to God and ask him to make you the offering he desires. Allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse and renew your heart.
• Listen to the Good Shepherd's voice: Be attentive to Jesus' teachings and guidance. Recognize that not all voices claiming spiritual authority are authentic. Discern truth from falsehood by knowing the voice of the true Shepherd.
• Trust in God's grace for restoration: Just as the defiled Temple was restored, God's grace provides the opportunity for rededication and renewed fellowship with him, no matter past mistakes or present struggles.
• Anticipate God's presence: Cultivate a sense of eager expectation for God's presence in your life, mirroring the anticipation for a meaningful encounter.

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References

• John 10:22
• John 10:31

Books and Resources Mentioned

• The Bible

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