Morning by Morning, December 7 - The Miracle of Hanukkah Fulfilled in the Messiah Good morning, Lord Jesus. Light of the World, come light up my life this day and every day, for You have said for all eternity, “I AM the Light of the World. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of Life” (John 8:12). ... Last night at our New Wine Worship gathering on the First Wednesday of every month, a new friend of mine, Ze’ev Nevo, joined us in worship and prayer for revival in our hearts and our community. Ze’ev was born in Jerusalem and now leads a ministry of evangelism, especially for the Jewish people, called Israel Media Ministries. Speaking of this time of the Jewish celebration of Hannukah, also called the Feast of Dedication, the Festival of Lights, and the celebration of the Miracle of Lights, he spoke a word of blessing over us before we prayed over him on behalf of all the people in the land of Israel (Psalm 122:6). As recorded in the Bible, You were there in Jerusalem during the days of this celebration in Israel: “Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple...” (John 10:22). Those at the temple that day questioned whether You were the Christ, the Messiah of Israel; and “(You) answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe” (v. 25). They believed in the Miracle of Hanukah, the days when the oil miraculously burned in the temple that had been defiled by an occupying nation and cruel dictator upon its rededication in 164 BC, but they could not believe in You. They celebrated the days of deliverance when the Maccabees led the people like a savior to recapture Jerusalem and rededicate the temple, but they could not see and celebrate that their eternal Deliverer and Savior was there among them at the present. They remembered the ancient days of how the golden menorah was restored to the temple, where the oil of the lamp was to burn continually with sanctified oil (Exodus 27:20), but they could not see that the Light of the World, carrying in Your heart the eternal Oil of the Holy Spirit of the Living God, was standing and shining right there in their midst. You had come to set them free from their spiritual oppression and open their eyes to see that You were the Light of their World. You replied to their question with the declaration of Your Deity: “I and My Father are One” (John 10:30). You were the Prophetic Fulfillment of the very story and feast they were celebrating: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘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). Light of the World, shine in us with Your Light of Truth. You are the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through You (John 14:6). You are the Christ, the Messiah of Israel and of all the world. You are our Savior and our Deliverer (John 3:16). Fill us with the Oil of Your Holy Spirit that will never burn out and will eternally shine with the Light of Your Glory (Romans 8:9). For now in Christ, our bodies are Your temple (1 Corinthians 6:19); and Your Spirit is the Light that shines through us into the darkness of our world (Matthew 5:14). The darkness of this world cannot overcome the Light of the Glory of God shining forth in You (John 1:5) and now shining through us--“Christ in (us), the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Light of the World who steps into our darkness, I say this day, “Shine, Jesus, shine!” Shine in my heart and into the heart of every soul who needs Your Light and Your Love and Your Life--whether Jew or Gentile--throughout our world. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you arise and shine with the Light of the Glory of God shinning through you into the darkness of our world with Jesus the Messiah in your heart, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries Mailing Address: 412 S. Adams Street #148 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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