The Light Has Come John 8-10

Do you prefer candles with real flames or (battery operated) faux lit candles? Either way, they illuminate light and create ambiance for our spaces. Light dispels darkness and changes the way we see our surroundings.

Jesus announced at the Festival of Lights or Dedication (see John 8-10) “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”^[1]

Then, He graciously offered light to a blind man for his eyes to see his surroundings for the first time. Afterwards, people attempted to steal, kill, and destroy the man and his testimony of his miracle of light coming to his eyes and the person who gave him such a miracle.

The enemy will attempt to steal the miracle of the Light of Christ within you, too. Will you allow such a thing? 

While the Pharisees and other community leaders squabbled about how Jesus brought sight to the blind man, Jesus guided others like a Shepherd with His Light and Life to the Father. It was winter during the Feast of Lights when Jesus announced, “I am the Light of the world. I will guide you safely to the Father.”

Hanukkah, meaning, dedication, is the Jewish Festival of Lights and commemorates the rededication of the second Jewish Temple in Israel. Since, Christianity dates back to the Jews, let’s glance at this Jewish Festival to see how it correlates with our Christian heritage. 

The Jews stayed close to and centered their lives around The Temple: There were things the Jews cherished and held in great honor. The main ones are the following: 

• The Temple, which was laid out as the place of worship to God and for the following:
  • Where God’s name was popular.
  • Where He spoke to His people.
  • Where His Presence rested. 
• The Law [Torah].
• The LORD’s Name.  

God used His chosen people to care for these main parts for living, while carrying out His redemptive plan. The Temple priests and scribes were responsible for the following:

• The Law: transcribing the accuracy of the words and enforcing the written Law of God.
• The Festivals to the Lord: planning and commemorating each festival.
• The Temple: carrying out worship and sacrifices to the Lord along with caring for the structure and its furnishings. 

The common people’s roles stemmed from agriculture. The people brought sacrifices during the Festivals to the priests at the Temple. The sacrifices were offered to God from their crops harvested during the year. The Feast of the Lord correlated with the Spring, Summer, and Fall harvests. And, the Festivals were linked to worshiping God in the Temple. 

In order to know what’s happening in Israel, just take a look at the Temple: So, on this journey, let’s glimpse at what happened to the Temple and why worship had ceased. 

By 200 B.C. (Before Christ) Israel had neglected God and their earthly enemies for so long, they were now following after and had bowed to Greek gods, culture and lifestyle. 

The Temple of the Lord was Desecrated

Greek robbers and thieves seized the Temple of the Lord to steal, kill, and destroy everything about the Temple and the God who dwelt, spoke, and was known in this place. In 204 BC, King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, meaning God manifest, desecrated the Temple of Jerusalem. He enforced new names, traditions, rules, and laws, which attempted to destroy anything concerning the Lord in the following ways:   

• He offered pigs as sacrifices in the Temple of the Lord to other gods hoping for comfort, peace, and satisfaction from these foreign gods. 
• He tried to destroy all copies of the Law, so the people would forget right living. 
• He banned the Jewish religion by appealing “That religion is not for you and won’t help you. 
• He prohibited circumcision, a requirement for Jewish newborn male babies. 
• He made a foreign traitor the high priest who would offer sacrifices to the Greek gods.
• He placed a statue of Zeus upon Temple altar attempting to negate the coming Messiah and His redemptive plan. 

We may say or think, “Oh, how terrible” But, let’s see how the Temple was restored and how this incident relates to us today.

The Temple Recaptured and Restored to God and His People

War ensued among the Jews and Greeks. In 165 B.C. Mattathais, an elderly villager from a priestly family, set his mind and stood against his enemies who had stolen the Temple and Jewish life. Mattathais killed King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who had desecrated the Temple of the Lord. 

He and his five sons recaptured the Temple in the name of the Lord. Mattathais named his son, Maccabeus the priest. Their Temple and worship, government and Law were restored to Israel. Now, the Name of God and His Feasts would be restored to His Temple and His people. 

The heroic men relit the Lampstand inside the Temple with only enough oil in it to burn for one day. It would take one week to prepare new oil for the lamp. Supernaturally, for eight days, the lamp burned when there was only enough oil in the lamp to burn for one day.

This light illuminated the walking path inside the Temple and illuminated the table of showbread. The reflection of the light bouncing off the walls illuminated the doorways and other furnishings used for worship in the Temple of the Lord. 

Under the Maccabeans, the Festival of Lights (Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah) was instituted at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles. God’s people danced with joyful singing, praising, and playing instruments in homes, court yards, and the center of their cities. Jerusalem lit the streets and homes with celebrations of the Light continuing for eight days. 

A menorah with lit candles is placed in a front window of each house and lights at doorways, so people passing can see and remember the story of Hanukkah. Gifts are exchanged each night. Games and rich foods fried in oil, potato cakes and apple filled doughnuts, are traditions during this festive time. 

The early Church chose December 25^th as the day of celebration. This is the day they took over the birthday of the Greek god, Zeus and the Roman god, Jupiter. December 25 is the day we celebrate Jesus’ birth as the Light of the world.  

During the Festival of Lights, Jesus warned those who would listen about an enemy. He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (—John 10:10 ESV) ^[2]

In John 8:42-47, Jesus revealed this enemy, the devil and his cohorts as thieves (robbers) who would attempt destruction on anything related to the Lord, if given the opportunity.

John 10:1-10: the thief (Greek, kleptes) is defined in the Bible Dictionary as, a robber who plunders your life openly and violently. Such kleptes, Robbers attempt stealing from you, killing your ways of walking with Jesus, and destroying everything he can to pull you into living for the world, the flesh, and the devil.

They recognized the enemy had stolen the Temple and destroyed their lives with God for about forty years. The Light of the world had come to trample their enemy and give them abundant life. They now had the opportunity to live greater than ever! Would they take it?

What about you? Are you ready to live greater than ever spiritually? 

I found myself plundered by kleptes, Robbers, recently. I had allowed my prayer life and time with Jesus to almost halt. My body was fighting with bronchitis and my emotions were frail. The enemy had attempted to destroy the life I had dearly cherished as he sent waves of unrest. The Light in this temple of the Holy Spirit had grown dim. Could I recapture the temple of the Holy Spirit? Could I relight the Light of Christ, who had radiantly glowed with His Presence in my life? 

How have you allowed robbers to plunder your life openly and violently? How have you allowed robbers to steal, kill, or destroy parts of your life as the Temple of Holy Spirit? 

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (—1 Corinthians 6:19-20) ^[3]

What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God. (—2 Corinthians 6:16) ^[4]

Maybe unintentionally, thoughts started plundering your daily prayer and time with the Lord. Perhaps, thoughts violently stole your emotional well-being and strength. Or, the deceitful tactics of the enemy killed your peace during this stormy year of repeated waves of unrest. 

I discovered four ways for Jesus to give me life and help me live greater than ever. And I want to share those with you. Let’s look at the ways we may celebrate the Light of the World, Jesus, has come to me! And, He can shine through me! 

As the Maccabeans recaptured the Temple of the Lord, let’s recapture the Temple of the Holy Spirit and be restored to a vital relationship with our heavenly Father: 

• Recapture the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
• Reinstitute Worship in the Temple of the Holy Spirit. 
• Reset the Eternal Light in the Temple of the Holy Spirit. 
• Return the Radiance of Jesus to the Temple of the Holy Spirit. 

Recapture the Temple of Holy Spirit by Repenting for Allowing the Enemy to Plunder:

• Repent means to turn or change: Change your thinking and ways of self-dependance. Stand ready to annihilate the enemy and recapture the Temple in the name of Jesus: Ephesians 6:10-20. 
  • Changing your thinking to recognize the enemy is not people, but Robbers who attempt to steal life from you on this earth and to make your life miserable.
  • Changing your ways to stand against such enemies (thieves/robbers) in the Lord’s strength and with His protection of armor, such as the helmet, the breast plate, and the sword of the Spirit, etcetera. Stand in the strength of His methods such as: strength, right living, peace, faith, truth, and salvation. Jesus equips you to stay in an attitude of prayer and in total dependence on His Spirit and other Believers as we interdependently depend on the Lord.

Recapture the Temple of the Holy Spirit today! 

Reinstitute Worship in the Temple of the Holy Spirit by Reframing Thought Patterns

• Offer sacrifices of praise and prayer, and renew thought patterns: 
  • Offering your bodies as living sacrifices, this is the spiritual worship. See Romans 12:1.
  • Turning from the sin of ungodly, unhealthy, dark, and judgmental thinking patterns by renewing your mind. See Romans 12:2: 
    • Speaking life to others. 
    • Undoing old thinking negative patterns of What ifs and shoulda, coulda, wouldas.
    • Replacing new thought patterns of who you are in Christ and who He is in you. 
    • Offering thanks and praise to the Lord in spite of life-circumstances.
• Replace thoughts you have given over to the enemy: See 2 Corinthians 6:14-18:
  • Tearing down ungodly thought patterns by telling those thoughts to leave in Jesus’ name.
  • Telling your mind not to allow those thoughts and imaginations to continue.
  • Replacing ungodly thoughts with scripture-based thoughts and words. They are God’s promises to you and me. 

Reinstitute Worship in the Temple of the Holy Spirit today! 

Reset the Eternal Light in the Temple of the Holy Spirit by Rejecting the Darkness of Robbers‘ Plunders:

Darkness and light don’t mix: Come out of darkness (shadiness) into His marvelous light (to shine, illuminate) Jesus. (—1 Peter 2:9)

• Light in scripture is translated as, phos, meaning, to shine, make manifest, radiate energy, illuminate to make visible. The word, photismos means, image of. As followers of Christ, we don’t have to walk in darkness, but may shine with the image of the Light of Jesus in our character and lifestyles. 
• The most effective lamp lighting plan in a space is triangular lighting, which leaves no place for darkness, but illuminates every corner and any darkness. His effective Light rejects the darkness of kleptes or robbers who plunder your life openly and violently.

Do you like to take selfies or photos of any kind? You and I are photos of whatever is shining within. What does your photo reveal?

Reset the Eternal Light in the Temple of the Holy Spirit today!

Robbers Fear, Shame, Guilt, and Condemnation must be exposed. 

• Stand against Robber Fear who comes to enslave and paralyze you: 

See Romans 8:15 and 2 Timothy 1:7  

• To put fear of others and circumstances into your mind. 
• To steal the Word, kill the truth, and destroy satisfaction with Jesus. 
• To make you think, “I don’t want change! I can’t change! What if I don’t like the person I become? What if others see me in that church or with those people? 

Reset the Eternal Light by speaking the promises of God over your life: 

• “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but power for my soul to relate to others, love for my spirit to receive and release God’s love, self-control for my body rest in relationship with the Father and rest in a true view of God as Father to live in health in spirit, soul, and body.
• I live as a daughter, not as a slave to fear. Love casts out all fear in me. 

Stand against Robber Shame who constantly reminds you with shame on you!

Reset the Eternal Light by speaking the promises of God over your life: 

• No shame on me because of Jesus took shame off me! Shame off me now, in Jesus’ name! 
• Love covers sin and any shame of my past failures and mistakes. 

Stand against Robber Guilt who attempts to kill you with a guilt-lotine. 

Reset the Eternal Light by speaking the promises of God over your life: 

• Jesus paid for my guilt. No guillotine (guilt-lotine) for me!
• Love took my guillotine (guilt-lotine) to the cross of Jesus Christ. 

Stand against Robber Condemnation who yells in your mind: “You’re worthless. She’s better at ____. She’s got ____.” Robber Condemnation keeps you stuck in a worthless state of non-trust. Such a robber is jealous, selfish, viscous, and cruel. 

Reset the Eternal Light by speaking the promises of God over your life: 

• Romans 8:1ff: There is no condemnation for me because I am in Christ Jesus. 
• Love doesn’t condemn or drive, but love guides and nudges me to live right. 
• I am free to set my mind on the Spirit, life, and peace. 

Reset the Eternal Light of Christ’s presence in the Temple of the Holy Spirit today!

Return the Radiance of Jesus to the Temple of the Holy Spirit by Reviewing God as my Father to find rest in my soul: 

• Take on a new view of your heavenly Father: My interpretation of words Jesus spoke to His disciples in Matthew 11:27-30 “Come to Me. . .and I will give you rest. Take my yoke (view of the Father). . .and you will find rest for your souls. My view of the Father is easy to carry, is healing, and is light.” Here a yoke is, “a rabbi’s view of God or the Law.” Jesus was sharing with His disciples the results of seeing God as their Father and not a task master or judge, “Take My view of the Father to find soul-rest.” 
  • Ask Jesus to show you His view of your heavenly Father. When He shows you, it will be personal and with love. The Father doesn’t drive or shove you, but He guides and loves you. 
  • When you see God as your Father, the radiance of His Presence will return to you helping you find rest in your soul: mind, will, and emotions.  

Return the radiance of Jesus Christ to His temple today!

Jesus rescues His people from Robbers Fear, Shame, Guilt and Condemnation. 

What about you, my friend—are you one of His people? Have you been captured, plundered, and squandered by spiritual thieves and robbers? 

Remember the ways to recapture the Temple of the Holy Spirit, who you are:

• Recapture the Temple of the Holy Spirit by Repenting for allowing Robbers to plunder and violently steal, kill, and destroy you or any area of your life. 
• Reinstitute Worship by Reframing your thinking patterns with sacrifices of offering myself to the Lord, offering praise, prayer, and new thought patterns. 
• Reset the Eternal Light by Rejecting the Darkness of Robbers Fear, Shame, Guilt, and Condemnation. Stand against Robbers who are ready to steal, kill, and destroy you. Jesus extended an opportunity to live greater than ever in John 10:10!  
• Return the Living Radiance of Jesus to the Temple of the Holy Spirit by Reviewing God as my Father who guides and loves me to find rest in my soul: mind, will, and emotions.  

The following are practical ways to celebrate Jesus and honor the Light of the World who has come to bring life and light to you and me:

• Place lights in your windows and/or doorways as reminders, Jesus, the Light of the world has come. 
• Create ambiance for illuminating Jesus around your table at mealtime by reading devotionals together. 
• Cook rich foods, like fried potato cakes and apple filled doughnuts, to eat with others and celebrate the richness of the Light, Jesus. Yum!
• Listen to praise music and celebrate Jesus with joy for all He is doing in your life, even now! 

Celebrate The Light of the World Festival with others for these five days!

• Read each day’s post and ask His Spirit, “How may I celebrate you today from these words.”
• Add comments in our Facebook Group about how the scripture or message helps you celebrate Jesus and His Word as your Light and Life who had come to you. 
• Pray for those celebrating with you in the Light of the World Festival.  

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^[1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=JOHN%208:12&version=ESV

^[2] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010:10&version=ESV

^[3] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+6%3A19-20&version=ESV

^[4] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+6%3A16&version=ESV