In our last post, we discussed the biblical concept of prophetic fulfillment and examined Daniel chapter 9 in light of the events surrounding the first Chanukah. Clearly, the key elements of Daniel's prophetic vision had been fulfilled with the return of the Jews from Babylonian exile, the occupation of the Greek empire, and the blasphemous act of Antiochus inside the Jewish Temple. Yet, when Jesus is pressed by His disciples to explain the events of the End Times, Jesus again references the prophecy of Daniel chapter 9. All biblical prophecy has multiple fulfillment: the first being the lesser, the later being the greater.
But what about the event of Chanukah, itself? Can it be a
source of prophecy?
Jesus Celebrates ChannukahWhile not a Mosaic holiday, the feast of Chanukah was still recognized as a sacred festival to the Lord, and the Jewish people had been honoring its remembrance every year since its inception. Thus, in
John chapter 10, we see Jesus Himself honoring the holiday with a trip to the temple. While He is lingering on the Temple mount, some Pharisees approach Him, and this exchange takes place:
22Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. 24The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." 25Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."
31Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"
33"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
Well, that it is interesting. The Pharisees come and initiate an intense conversation with Jesus, He answers them with a lovely statement about His intimate relationship with God, and they respond with preparations to stone him. Isn't that intriguing?
Couple of things to note:
1 -
The Time of Year: The events of verses 22-42 occur during the Feast of Dedication, that is Channukah.
2 -
The Location: The Scriptures declare that these events are taking place on the Temple mount, inside the area known as "Solomon's Portico." This area was the location of the original temple of Solomon. This area was the amongst the most sacred, an area reserved for Jews only.
It was also in this sacred area where Antiochus' men sacrificed a pig and began the events of Chanukah 250 years earlier.
3 -
The Question: The question the Jewish people asked Jesus was, "Are you the Messiah, the Promised Deliver of Israel?"
The reason for this question was very specific. It is the season of Channukah, and the Jewish people are looking back on the events surrounding the Maccabeean revolt. Once again they find themselves in a similar situation. Instead of the Syrian-Greeks, it is now the Romans who are occupying their land and ruling over them. Yes, they have been allowed to worship their God freely in their sacred temple, but Rome has corrupted the priesthood, installing non-Levitical leaders who care more for Rome than God and His law. Tensions are mounting, as more and more Jews are being swept away into Roman life and worship. And just as in the days of the Maccabees, the Jews are looking for a savior.
4 -
The Response: Jesus' response to his audience is very clear: "Yes, I am the Messiah; can you not tell by all the miracles you have seen? In fact, I just opened the eyes of a man born blind (
John 9) and fulfilled the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 61:1-2 (
Sept), Exodus 4:1, and Psalm 146:8. There should be no question who I am!"
And, apparently, the Jewish people understood His response because they picked up stones to stone Him. But why the quick response to kill Him?
Well for starters, Jesus just called Himself God. He did this not only with His miracles, but also with His statement that He and the Father are one. This is a big "no-no" in Judaism, for the God of Israel is not like the gods of Rome and secular society who are understood as being exalted men. (In fact, according to Roman law, once a man became Caesar, he became a god.)
Second of all, it was this kind of radical behavior that began the events of Channukah. How dare this nobody from the land of Galilee (a place where Greek [Hellenized] Judaism was observed) enter the temple mount and proclaim himself God?! He is acting exactly like Antiochus, isn't he?
It would appear that the events leading up to the first Channukah are repeating themselves all over again. But if this is the case, does that mean that Jesus has become the Abomination that causes Desolation!?! Of course not! However, there is still a sacred and exalted prophecy occurring in this text. One more glorious than Daniel's and with greater consequences and results that the temporary freedom the Maccabees achieved.
Malachi 3:1-2, "
Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?"
It is not a false Messiah who stands in the Temple during the events of John 10; it is
the Messiah. It is not a mere man who has appointed himself a god; it is the man who
is God. And He has not come to overthrow one earthly dictatorship for another or replace one sinful man with another; He has come in eternal perfection to usher in an eternal kingdom whose rule shall have no end. He has not come to release only a specific people group from the bonds of oppression; He has come to make all men free. This man, this God-Man, Jesus the Messiah, is not the Abomination; He is the Proclamation! A mere lampstand does not sanctify the Temple of God; it is this Jesus, the Light of the Word, who consecrates the holy Temple. He alone gives Light to the nations and to all the people of God (
John 8:12,
John 9:5,
John 12:46, &
Rev. 22:5)!
Chanukah teaches us many great biblical truths about preserving the Word of the Lord and remaining faithful despite the oppression and folly of culture. Chanukah reminds us of the greatness of God and His steadfast love and provision. But above all, Chanukah should serve as a warning to all that there is only One God, His law alone is to be observed, and He is the true God who has come into His temple in the flesh of man to save and purify all the hearts of men so that He may make His dwelling amongst them! (
John 1:14 and
Revelation 21:3)
Instead of rejecting Jesus, won't you receive Him? And if you have already received Him, won't you share Him with others? Let the Light of God shine through you, consecrating you, purifying you, and making His dwelling inside of you.
2009 is almost over and what a year it has been. We have seen God's grace made manifest in the numerous lives transformed and now serving Him inside the local church. As I look out each Sunday morning, I have been blessed by not only seeing new faces, but also seeing many more becoming regular attendees and participants in the ministry. What a team God has blessed us with as a church!
