The Feast of Dedication, or Festival of Lights, is a traditional Jewish Feast. It is not one of the ordained Feasts of the LORD according to the Law of Moses, but it is observed throughout the generations.
This feast memorializes the occasion when an out-numbered, small group of Jews re-took control of the Temple in Jerusalem from a far stronger enemy invader. Having regained the Temple, the small force had to cleanse and re-dedicate it from the idol worship and abominations that the enemy had practiced in it. Though there was only one day's worth of oil to keep the Lamp of the Holy Place, the Menorah, lighted, God miraculously kept the Lamp lighted for eight days, until additional oil cold be produced for the Lamp.
Light and miracles-Jesus spoke about both of these things as He observed the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem.
Just before this Festival of Lights was to begin, Jesus passed by a man who had been blind from birth. He told His disciples, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (Jn. 9:5). He then brought light to the darkened eyes of the man born blind by anointing his blind eyes with clay that had been mixed with Jesus' own saliva. Jesus then instructed the blind man to go to the pool of Siloam (sent), and cleanse his eyes there. When the blind man rinsed his eyes at the pool, he found that he had regained his sight (v.7). How appropriate for the Feast of Dedication. The blind man cleansed himself in the pool, and was miraculously filled with the light of sight. Not only did he received natural sight, but he gained spiritual sight as Jesus came back to him and revealed Himself as the Son of God to him (v. 35-39). The formerly blind man worshipped Him.
The light of the Golden Lampstand, or Menorah, in the Temple, represents the "owr" light of the Messiah. It is a light that not only illuminates naturally, but it illuminates the spiritual understanding, the light that was in the beginning. By meaning, it is a light that enlightens eyes that had been encased in darkness (Ps. 13:4). When Jesus told His disciples that He is the Light of the world, He was revealing who He is as Messiah.
The religious people who witnessed this miracle of new sight, rejected it, and also cast out the formerly blind man who received the miracle, because they rejected the Light who created the miracle. Jesus said to them:
"For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and they which see might be made blind." Jn. 9:39
As the religious took offense at being referred to as blind, Jesus answered them:
...If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say "We see"; therefore, your sin remaineth." Jn. 9:41
After all of this, on the day of the Feast of Dedication, Jesus entered the Temple. The religiously blind immediately surrounded Him and demanded that He tell them plainly if He was the Christ (Jn. 10:22-24). Jesus answered:
"I told you, and ye believe not; the works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me...I and My Father are one." Jn. 10:25, 30
They immediately sought to stone Jesus at this declaration that they considered blasphemy.
Jesus pointed out to them that their own scriptures declare "Ye are gods", yet they accuse the One whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world. Again, Jesus confirms in v. 37-38 His identity by the miracles that they have witnessed Him doing:
"If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not. But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe, that the Father is in Me and I in Him."
The religiously blind came to the Temple that winter day to observe the Feast of Dedication, but the very fulfillment of the Feast was in their midst, and they didn't "see" Him, and they rejected miraculous works that the Father had sent Him to do in confirmation of this feast.
What does this Feast, and Jesus' words and works at this Feast of Dedication, mean for our lives?
First, we are a living temple, built of living stones, a spiritual house, which we are because we have cleansed ourselves from defilement, and sanctified, or dedicated ourselves in the Word of God (1 Pet. 2:1-3). It is then said of us:
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: Which in time past, we were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." 1 Pet. 2:9-10
Secondly, we have not only been called into His light, and we have been commanded to be the same light:
"Ye are the light of the world...set on a hill...on a candlestick...it giveth light unto all that are in the house." Mt. 5:14-15
Thirdly, along with being part of the miraculous Light of the world, we have been called to do the miraculous works, as well:
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Mt. 5:16
Jesus also said of us:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." Jn. 14:12
The prophet Daniel described those who know their God as shining "as the brightness of the firmament" (Dan. 12:3), and the miraculous works connected to them as "great exploits" (Dan. 11:28).
The prophet Isaiah describes a people who are "as a watered garden", who shall "build the old waste places", and be the "repairer of the breach", the "restorer of paths to dwell in" (Isa. 58:11-12). They become this after they have sanctified themselves, and dedicated themselves to the ways and word of God (v. 13).
Our purpose in being both light and miraculous works in the world, is the same purpose as Jesus had: to bring glory and praise to God the Father, and the knowledge of Him to all who will receive it.
If you desire to dedicate yourself as a living temple, to receive the Light, the Son of God, who was sent into the world to bring witness of His Father, then believe in your heart, and confess your desire to Jesus in simple prayer with your mouth. He will come into your heart, and bring His marvelous light to your soul, and spirit.
"Come Lord Jesus, be my Light of salvation, my Light of life, my Light of sight, my Light of the knowledge of our Father in heaven. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I dedicate my heart, mind and strength, my living temple, to You."
To Contact/Give:
PO Box 155
Christmas, FL. 32709
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
PayPal available
To Hear Dr. Stevenson's entire message:
https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.e.stevenson/posts/10210284835219094
The light of the Golden Lampstand, or Menorah, in the Temple, represents the "owr" light of the Messiah. It is a light that not only illuminates naturally, but it illuminates the spiritual understanding, the light that was in the beginning. By meaning, it is a light that enlightens eyes that had been encased in darkness (Ps. 13:4). When Jesus told His disciples that He is the Light of the world, He was revealing who He is as Messiah.
The religious people who witnessed this miracle of new sight, rejected it, and also cast out the formerly blind man who received the miracle, because they rejected the Light who created the miracle. Jesus said to them:
"For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and they which see might be made blind." Jn. 9:39
As the religious took offense at being referred to as blind, Jesus answered them:
...If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say "We see"; therefore, your sin remaineth." Jn. 9:41
After all of this, on the day of the Feast of Dedication, Jesus entered the Temple. The religiously blind immediately surrounded Him and demanded that He tell them plainly if He was the Christ (Jn. 10:22-24). Jesus answered:
"I told you, and ye believe not; the works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me...I and My Father are one." Jn. 10:25, 30
They immediately sought to stone Jesus at this declaration that they considered blasphemy.
Jesus pointed out to them that their own scriptures declare "Ye are gods", yet they accuse the One whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world. Again, Jesus confirms in v. 37-38 His identity by the miracles that they have witnessed Him doing:
"If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not. But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe, that the Father is in Me and I in Him."
The religiously blind came to the Temple that winter day to observe the Feast of Dedication, but the very fulfillment of the Feast was in their midst, and they didn't "see" Him, and they rejected miraculous works that the Father had sent Him to do in confirmation of this feast.
What does this Feast, and Jesus' words and works at this Feast of Dedication, mean for our lives?
First, we are a living temple, built of living stones, a spiritual house, which we are because we have cleansed ourselves from defilement, and sanctified, or dedicated ourselves in the Word of God (1 Pet. 2:1-3). It is then said of us:
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: Which in time past, we were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." 1 Pet. 2:9-10
Secondly, we have not only been called into His light, and we have been commanded to be the same light:
"Ye are the light of the world...set on a hill...on a candlestick...it giveth light unto all that are in the house." Mt. 5:14-15
Thirdly, along with being part of the miraculous Light of the world, we have been called to do the miraculous works, as well:
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Mt. 5:16
Jesus also said of us:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." Jn. 14:12
The prophet Daniel described those who know their God as shining "as the brightness of the firmament" (Dan. 12:3), and the miraculous works connected to them as "great exploits" (Dan. 11:28).
The prophet Isaiah describes a people who are "as a watered garden", who shall "build the old waste places", and be the "repairer of the breach", the "restorer of paths to dwell in" (Isa. 58:11-12). They become this after they have sanctified themselves, and dedicated themselves to the ways and word of God (v. 13).
Our purpose in being both light and miraculous works in the world, is the same purpose as Jesus had: to bring glory and praise to God the Father, and the knowledge of Him to all who will receive it.
If you desire to dedicate yourself as a living temple, to receive the Light, the Son of God, who was sent into the world to bring witness of His Father, then believe in your heart, and confess your desire to Jesus in simple prayer with your mouth. He will come into your heart, and bring His marvelous light to your soul, and spirit.
"Come Lord Jesus, be my Light of salvation, my Light of life, my Light of sight, my Light of the knowledge of our Father in heaven. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I dedicate my heart, mind and strength, my living temple, to You."
To Contact/Give:
PO Box 155
Christmas, FL. 32709
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
PayPal available
To Hear Dr. Stevenson's entire message:
https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.e.stevenson/posts/10210284835219094
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