A Love That Cannot Be Denied

My Hanukkah Story: A Love That Cannot Be Denied 🕯️

Can you imagine being loved so much that a gift was prepared for you twenty years before you even knew it existed? That is the essence of my Hanukkah story. Two decades ago, my Heavenly Father knew I would embark on a journey to discover the Hebrew roots of my Christian faith and would be celebrating my first Hanukkah this year.

In the year 2000, He prompted a young woman to buy a beautiful nine-branched menorah, a Chanukiah, while visiting Israel. For twenty years, she kept this menorah, never using it.

The incredible part is that I met this woman—who I now call my sister in faith—in 2005. I was a Christian then, as I am now, yet we never discussed my beliefs with her. It was while visiting her home that year that I even received the inspiration for the cover design of my first book, Seasons of Life – Taking Man Back to God.

The Unveiling of the Gift

Fast forward to two months ago: she suddenly asked me about my faith, wondering if I was a Jewish believer. I explained that I wasn't Jewish, but I was deeply engaged in learning about the Hebrew roots of my Christian faith from a Jewish perspective.

It was during this conversation that she shared about her trip to Israel. She then had her daughter retrieve the menorah. It was still perfectly preserved in its original satin bag. When I saw it, I realized it wasn't the seven-branched Temple Menorah, but the special Chanukiah used for the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah.

In that moment, we knew what to do. Together, we decided to celebrate Hanukkah for the first time. As of December 8, 2020, we have been lighting the Chanukiah candles nightly, praying the Hanukkah blessings, and sharing the story of Hanukkah and its profound relevance to Christians today. This eight-day festival truly is a gift prepared for me twenty years ago—a demonstration of a love that cannot be denied.

Shedding Light on Dedication

Before you conclude that Hanukkah is only for the Jewish people, let me share why I choose to celebrate the Festival of Lights. The Hebrew word Hanukkah literally means dedication.

The celebration commemorates two great miracles during the Maccabean Revolt: the military victory of Judah Maccabee and his few men over the powerful Greek-Syrian army, and the miracle of the oil that was only sufficient for one day but miraculously burned for eight days during the rededication of the Second Temple.

More than the victory and the oil, Hanukkah proves a powerful, timeless principle: darkness always gives way to light.

Before the revolt, Israel was suffering spiritual and physical darkness. The self-proclaimed god Antiochus IV had profaned the Temple, outlawed Jewish practice, and silenced God's prophetic voice. The victory of Hanukkah symbolizes God's preservation of His people during this profound darkness.

Yeshua, the Shamash Candle

The celebration is not just a reminder of God’s love for the Jewish people, but a powerful reminder of His love for all of us.

The Chanukiah has nine candle holders. The middle candle is the Shamash, which means the servant candle. This candle is lit first, and it is then used to light all the other candles each night.

This beautiful imagery points directly to Jesus, or Yeshua. The Bible declares that Yeshua is the Light of the World (John 1:1-14, John 8:12). He Himself stated, "I did not come to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45). He is the Servant Light that gives light to all people.

As believers, we are called to take the light of Yeshua to a world living in darkness (Matthew 5:14). The light we now possess is meant to bring life to those who need Him.

The Inner Rededication

There is one final, critical lesson from the Hanukkah story: Before the Temple could be rededicated and restored as God's dwelling place, it had to be cleansed. The holy and the profane cannot be mixed.

Though we no longer have a physical Temple, scripture teaches that our bodies are the Temple of the Lord. However, before His Spirit can fully dwell within us, a cleansing must happen—a process of ridding ourselves of sin and unrighteousness.

That is why God sent His Son, Yeshua, to die (John 3:16). His sacrifice restored and rededicated us back to a life in covenant with Him.

The Yeshua-Shamash wants to set you ablaze so you can go and light your world. Will you yield yourself to Him today?

Your Call to Action

Do you feel weighed down by the darkness of your past or the challenges of your present? The light of Hanukkah reminds us that every dark season eventually yields to the divine light and that victory is possible through faith and dedication.

If you are ready to stop walking in darkness and fully embrace the light and purpose God has prepared for you—a love that cannot be denied—then it is time to overcome the obstacles in your path.

Click here to get your copy of my book, "Overcome to Fulfill Your Purpose" and let the light of God's Word cleanse and rededicate you to His extraordinary plan.