A Festival of Lights

“I am the light of the world.”

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “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 NKJV

A Prophetic Illumination

A festival of lights is celebrated within the Jewish culture: Hanukkak, also called the Feast of Dedication. ( This feast is mentioned in John 10:22.) Seemingly, a prophetic illumination breaks forth with great symbolism in the candlelit glow of the menorah.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of menorah: a candelabra with seven or nine lights that is used in Jewish worship. A further clarification of the menorah and Hanukkah is given. I quote this source: “English speakers originally used the Hebrew borrowing menorah for the seven-branched candelabra used in Jewish worship since ancient times. The nine-branched Hanukkah candelabra is called hanukkiah in Hebrew, but English speakers have come to use menorah for this candelabra too. The Hanukkah menorah recalls the expulsion by Judas Maccabaeus of invading forces from the Temple of Jerusalem. Maccabaeus and his followers sought oil for the temple's menorah so that the sanctuary could be rededicated, but they found only enough oil for a single day. Miraculously, that tiny amount of oil burned for eight days, until a new supply could be obtained. The Hanukkah menorah includes a candle for each day the oil burned, plus the shammes, [shamash] a "servant candle" that is used to light the others.”

Hanukkah highlights the rededication of the demolished Jewish Temple. History reflects upon a moment in time that lasted eight days. The available oil supply for the lighting of the menorah was sufficient for only one day; however, the flame remained aglow for eight. The annual lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is done so in remembrance of God’s miraculous provision for His people, in celebration of the rededication of the Temple, a new beginning. (Interestingly, the number eight represents new beginnings.)

The center candle is called the shamash, or servant candle, that is set apart (higher) than the others. It emits a strong prophetic picture of Yeshua, the Light of the world, for the Messiah did not come to be served, but to serve. (Mark 10:45) The servant candle radiates the Messiah as spoken by the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 42: 1-4, Matthew 12:18 -21) As each candle is lit by Servant God, the illuminated candle becomes the light to the world. His light becomes their light. For those who have received Christ, Jesus declared, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

The oil, symbolic of the Holy Spirit and His power, fueled the lamp. The lamp itself? Revelation 21:23 declares the Lamb is the lamp whose glory gives light to the city.

The Lamb is the lamp! His glory is the light! Such brilliance!

A prophetic illumination truly shines forth in this Festival of Lights. The lamp. The oil. The servant candle. The light. The One flame setting others ablaze. One by one, as the candles are lit, they become the light of the world. Darkness flees. The Light: the Messiah. The Way. The Truth. The Life. Jesus. Yeshua. Who was, who is, and is to come, lights the way for all eternity.

God’s light shines throughout Genesis to Revelation.

Let us focus on a few such spotlights within the Word.

Genesis

God spoke: “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3 NKJV

The definition of light in the Strong’s Lexicon, Hebrew reference number 216, is light…light of a lamp…light of life…Jehovah as Israel’s light.

A calling forth…let there be light…let there be Jehovah, the light of Israel.

Exodus 25 to Revelation 11

The Lampstand shines throughout the pages from Exodus to Revelation.

The Lord gives instruction for the making of the lampstand in Exodus 25:31-40.

In Zechariah 4:2, the New English Translation, refers to the lampstand as the menorah. “He asked me, “What do you see?” I replied, “I see a menorah of pure gold with a receptacle at the top. There are seven lamps at the top, with seven pipes going to the lamps."

[I] turned to see whose voice was speaking to me, and when I did so, I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands was one like a son of man. He was dressed in a robe extending down to his feet and he wore a wide golden belt around his chest. Revelation 1:12-13 NET

One like the Son of Man was in the midst of the lampstand!

Psalms

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Psalm 27:1

The Lord wraps Himself in light. Psalm 104:2

Your word is the lamp unto my feet, the light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

His Light shines forth.

Luke

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32

Simeon identified the newly born Messiah as a light to bring revelation.

John

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1-5

The light shines within the darkness.

Jesus spoke to them saying, “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 NKJV

Jesus, Himself, affirms, He is the light!

Revelation

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. Revelation 21:23 NIV

The Lamb of God is the lamp. His glory the light.

The Festival of Lights sends forth a beacon of hope, blazing with the Word of God.

In remembrance the candles are lit; a foretelling of Him who is to come.

Jesus is the lamp, whose oil never runs dry.

Prayer

Lord,

May Christ in me, the hope of glory, break forth with a new radiance this day.

Let the oil of Your presence fill me afresh, and fuel Your light to burn brighter within me. For You have said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

Expose within me, Lord, any hinderance (basket) that has caused Your light to grow dim. Search me, Oh God, as I submit to Your light. I wait for Your redemptive touch.

Restore unto me a radiant heart that penetrates the darkness.

Let my life be a festival of your holy light - a light to the world.

Amen