Day of Praise

Tues, 01/31/17, "Day of Praise"

[Jesus said,] "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8:12

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is a more than 2,000 year old celebration of the victory of the Jews over Antiochus Epiphanes, a madman who thought he was a god. Jesus, who truly is God, chose the Festival of Lights to reveal that he himself is the Light of the World.

On the festive occasion of Hanukkah, Jesus invited people into a relationship with Him that would free them from sin and from death and for a new life in his wisdom, power, and grace. 

Let's think about it. 

The Hanukkah candles are traditionally lit by a special candle called the shammash. Shammash is Hebrew for "servant." In the shammash candle, there is a symbol of Jesus Christ because Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28)

The shammash serves the other candles by bringing light to them, which is why Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Just as the shammash gives light to the other candles, Jesus came to give His light to the world. 

Hanukkah includes the celebration of two miracles – the defeat of an enemy army and a day's allotment of temple oil that lasted for eight days. These two miracles show how God keeps His light burning in the hearts of His people, even when they face what seem to be impossible odds or situations. With God, all things are possible. 

In Jesus Christ, we are assured that God's light cannot fail, or go out.

Friends, you regularly reply to me and share how you face what seem to be impossible odds or situations. Today is another real day, so odds are that the day ahead will probably bring what seem to be impossible odds or situations to many of us again. 

But please don't forget, and please remind one another, that God keeps His light burning in the hearts of His people, even when they face what seem to be impossible odds or situations. With God, all things truly are possible. In Jesus Christ, we are assured that God's light cannot fail, or go out.

Jesus is the ultimate shammash candle who, by the power of the light and fire of the Holy Spirit serves the other candles (us) by bringing light to the wick of our soul, which is why Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Praise God!