Light in Darkness: The Maccabees and Christmas
Summary
Summary:
As we embark on this Advent series, we delve into the lives of those who played pivotal roles in the Christmas story, starting with the Maccabees. This exploration is not just a historical recount but a reflection on how God uses diverse individuals to fulfill His divine purposes. The Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah, is central to understanding the Maccabees' significance. This feast commemorates the rededication of the temple after its desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes, a powerful enemy who sought to eradicate Jewish worship. The Maccabees, led by Judas Maccabeus, rose against this oppression, reclaiming the temple and restoring worship, symbolized by the lighting of lamps to signify light breaking through darkness.
This historical backdrop enriches our understanding of the Christmas story. Just as the Maccabees celebrated the defeat of a powerful enemy, Christmas celebrates the defeat of sin, death, and the devil through the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the true temple, embodies the divine presence, offering us a direct connection to God without the need for a physical temple. He is the true light, providing hope and sustenance in our darkest times.
As we approach Christmas, we are reminded to reflect on what we truly celebrate. Beyond the festivities, it is a time to recognize Jesus as the light of the world, the one who brings eternal life. The Maccabees' courage and faithfulness set the stage for the incarnation of Jesus, preserving the Jewish lineage necessary for the fulfillment of God's promise. This Advent, let us celebrate the profound truth that through Jesus, every powerful enemy is defeated, and we are offered forgiveness and eternal life.
Key Takeaways:
1. God Uses Diverse People for His Purposes: The Advent series highlights how God employs a variety of individuals, both known and unknown, to accomplish His divine plans. This reminds us that we too can play significant roles in God's story, even if we don't always recognize it. [03:33]
2. The Feast of Dedication's Significance: The Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah, commemorates the Maccabees' victory over Antiochus Epiphanes and the rededication of the temple. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and the restoration of true worship, themes that resonate deeply with the Christmas story. [10:35]
3. Jesus as the True Temple: In the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed as the true temple, the center of worship, and the manifestation of God's presence. Unlike the physical temple, Jesus offers us a direct connection to God, emphasizing that worship is not confined to a place but is accessible through Him. [32:03]
4. Christmas Celebrates Defeated Enemies: Just as the Feast of Dedication celebrated the defeat of a powerful enemy, Christmas celebrates the defeat of sin, death, and the devil. Through Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection, we are assured of victory over these spiritual adversaries. [29:27]
5. Reflecting on Our Celebrations: As we celebrate Christmas, it's crucial to reflect on what we are truly celebrating. Beyond the gifts and gatherings, it is a time to focus on Jesus, the light of the world, and the hope He brings. Our celebrations should clearly reflect our faith and the true reason for the season. [28:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:33] - Introduction to Advent Series
- [07:02] - Prayer for Guidance
- [08:18] - Importance of the Feast of Dedication
- [10:35] - Historical Context of the Maccabees
- [13:41] - Apocryphal Literature and Historical Verification
- [16:49] - Antiochus Epiphanes and the Desecration of the Temple
- [18:56] - The Maccabees' Rebellion
- [20:23] - The Celebration of the Feast of Dedication
- [23:41] - Themes of the Feast: Redemption and Light
- [26:30] - Reflecting on Our Celebrations
- [28:14] - The True Meaning of Christmas
- [29:27] - Christmas and the Defeat of Powerful Enemies
- [32:03] - Jesus as the True Temple
- [34:13] - Jesus as the True Light
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 10:22-30
2. John 1:4-5
3. Matthew 1:18-25
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the Feast of Dedication mentioned in John 10:22, and how does it relate to the Maccabees' story? [10:35]
2. How does the Gospel of John use Jewish feasts to highlight Jesus' identity and mission? [08:18]
3. What actions did Judas Maccabeus and his followers take to reclaim and rededicate the temple? [18:56]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus is the true temple and light of the world? [32:03]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the Maccabees' victory over Antiochus Epiphanes parallel the spiritual victory celebrated at Christmas? [29:27]
2. What does it mean for Jesus to be the true temple, and how does this change the way believers approach worship today? [32:03]
3. How does the concept of Jesus as the light of the world provide hope and sustenance in times of darkness? [34:13]
4. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to reflect on the true meaning of their Christmas celebrations? [28:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the diverse individuals God used in the Christmas story. How can you be open to playing a significant role in God's plan, even if it seems small or unnoticed? [03:33]
2. The Maccabees showed courage and faithfulness in the face of oppression. Is there a situation in your life where you need to stand firm in your faith? How can you draw strength from their example? [18:56]
3. As you prepare for Christmas, how can you ensure that your celebrations clearly reflect your faith in Jesus as the light of the world? [28:14]
4. Consider the idea of Jesus as the true temple. How can you cultivate a personal connection with God that goes beyond physical places of worship? [32:03]
5. The sermon highlights the defeat of powerful enemies through Jesus' birth. What spiritual battles are you facing, and how can the message of Christmas encourage you in these struggles? [29:27]
6. How can you incorporate the themes of redemption and light into your daily life, especially during the Advent season? [23:41]
7. Reflect on the importance of light in the Feast of Dedication and Christmas. How can you be a source of light and hope to those around you this season? [34:13]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: God’s Diverse Instruments in His Divine Symphony
Description: Throughout history, God has chosen a diverse array of individuals to fulfill His divine purposes. The story of the Maccabees is a testament to this truth. They were a group of Jewish warriors who rose against the oppression of Antiochus Epiphanes, reclaiming the temple and restoring worship. This act of courage and faithfulness was not just a historical event but a divine orchestration that set the stage for the coming of Jesus Christ. It reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or status, to play a significant role in His story. We are encouraged to see ourselves as potential instruments in God’s hands, ready to be used for His glory. [03:33]
Bible Passage: "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are." (1 Corinthians 1:27-28, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt inadequate or unworthy. How might God be calling you to step into His story despite those feelings?
Day 2: The Feast of Dedication: A Triumph of Light Over Darkness
Description: The Feast of Dedication, also known as Hanukkah, commemorates the Maccabees' victory over Antiochus Epiphanes and the rededication of the temple. This feast symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and the restoration of true worship. The Maccabees' story is a powerful reminder of how God can bring light into the darkest situations. As we reflect on this historical event, we see parallels in the Christmas story, where Jesus, the light of the world, enters into the darkness of our world to bring hope and redemption. This theme of light overcoming darkness is central to both Hanukkah and Christmas, encouraging us to seek and celebrate the light in our own lives. [10:35]
Bible Passage: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone." (Isaiah 9:2, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a dark area in your life where you need God's light to shine. How can you invite His presence into that space today?
Day 3: Jesus as the True Temple: A New Way to Worship
Description: In the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed as the true temple, the center of worship, and the manifestation of God's presence. Unlike the physical temple, which was a place where people went to encounter God, Jesus offers us a direct connection to God, emphasizing that worship is not confined to a place but is accessible through Him. This profound truth invites us to rethink our understanding of worship and to embrace the personal relationship with God that Jesus offers. As we approach Christmas, we are reminded that Jesus, the true temple, is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people. [32:03]
Bible Passage: "Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' The Jews then said, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?' But he was speaking about the temple of his body." (John 2:19-21, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of worship in your daily life, recognizing that Jesus is your direct connection to God?
Day 4: Christmas: Celebrating the Defeat of Spiritual Enemies
Description: Just as the Feast of Dedication celebrated the defeat of a powerful enemy, Christmas celebrates the defeat of sin, death, and the devil. Through Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection, we are assured of victory over these spiritual adversaries. This victory is not just a historical event but a present reality that we can experience in our daily lives. As we celebrate Christmas, we are reminded of the profound truth that through Jesus, every powerful enemy is defeated, and we are offered forgiveness and eternal life. This celebration calls us to live in the freedom and victory that Jesus has secured for us. [29:27]
Bible Passage: "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: What spiritual enemies are you facing today? How can you embrace the victory that Jesus has already won for you?
Day 5: Reflecting on Our Celebrations: The True Meaning of Christmas
Description: As we celebrate Christmas, it's crucial to reflect on what we are truly celebrating. Beyond the gifts and gatherings, it is a time to focus on Jesus, the light of the world, and the hope He brings. Our celebrations should clearly reflect our faith and the true reason for the season. This reflection invites us to examine our traditions and practices, ensuring that they align with the profound truth of Jesus' incarnation. As we approach this sacred time, let us be intentional in our celebrations, making sure that they honor the true meaning of Christmas and the hope that Jesus brings to the world. [28:14]
Bible Passage: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make your Christmas celebrations more focused on Jesus this year? What specific traditions or practices can you incorporate to honor Him?
Quotes
Throughout this year's Advent sermon series, what we're going to do is we're going to look at people who played a unique and significant role in the Christmas story. And we're going to do this for a few reasons, okay? Number one, what we hope to accomplish with this is that we hope to marvel at how God uses a variety of people to accomplish His purposes. So we're going to see that there's all sorts of different types of people, both positive and negative, that God is going to use to accomplish His purpose. Secondly, what we hope to do in this Advent series is to be encouraged that we too can play an important role in God's plan. [00:03:59] (39 seconds)
As one person wrote in the Gospel of John, the Apostle uses Jewish feasts and holidays strategically. To highlight Jesus' identity and mission, okay? So he does that over and over again, and there are theological frameworks, if you will, that are supposed to deepen our understanding of Jesus' fulfillment, particularly about Jewish expectations in his role in salvation history. So that's really the goal of how John wants to use these feasts and these holidays. So for example, just to show you some example. In John 2, he talks about the Passover there, and the Passover is, and actually, he talks about it in three different places about Passover. [00:08:18] (45 seconds)
So it first happened during these 400 silent years. If we're going to understand the history, you have to go back to the Alexander the Great. In 323, Alexander the Great conquered the Persian empire. Some of you remember this from history class. After Alexander's death at a fairly young age, his massive kingdom, he had this pretty much conquered the known world. Remember, as the story goes, when he conquered his last territory, he cried and people are saying, why are you crying? He's like, there's nothing more to conquer. Boo hoo. [00:15:12] (32 seconds)
So a group of untrained farmers, they create a guerrilla army, Judas Maccabees, he leads this army, and they go into Jerusalem, and against all odds, they capture, they recapture Jerusalem. They go into the temple, and they defeat the armies, and they recapture this, and they found the temple desecrated in need of significant repair. And so what they did is they rededicated the temple, and there were... It's a celebration for eight days after this, where they lit lamps to show how light broke through darkness. And so that was one of the big parts of their celebration is they lit lamps and lights into people's homes and stuff, and they said, show how light has finally broken through darkness here. [00:20:23] (46 seconds)
So let me summarize real quickly here why this was such an important feast. What did it celebrate here? Well, it celebrated a few things here. John's use of, oh, I'm sorry here. Let me, one more slide. It celebrated a powerful energy. It was a powerful enemy that was dethroned and defeated. That's what they were celebrating. They were celebrating the fact that Antiochus Epiphanes was a powerful enemy, and he was defeated. He was dethroned, and he was defeated here. That was one of the things that they were celebrating. Redemption and sacrifice are key themes celebrated at the Feast of Dedication. [00:23:49] (38 seconds)
Would it be abundantly clear to people visiting that we are celebrating Jesus, the Son of God? Would they see that you are part of Jesus' flock, to use the terminology in John 10 that he says here? You see, before I move on to the connection, I just need to pause and say, what is it that we're celebrating this year? What is it truly that we're celebrating? Is it abundantly clear in our own minds? It is abundantly clear in how we spend our time, money, and resources. Something for us to think about. I need to move on. [00:27:58] (37 seconds)
Christmas celebrates defeat of powerful enemies as well. We're going to talk about Herod next week. We're going to talk about Herod and the Magi. But one of the things that Christmas celebrates is how God supernaturally caused a powerful ruler to be overruled during that time. There was powerful forces in play that tried to prevent Jesus, from being born and from growing up. There were powerful figures in play who were doing everything they could to exterminate Jesus, going to the gruesome length of massacre of the innocents. And yet, Jesus was born. And yet, Jesus did grow up and live a life of perfect obedience. [00:29:09] (49 seconds)
Jesus being the true temple shows that God is with us because he is the true temple. And we can worship him at any time and in any way. This is what we celebrate at Christmas. God with us. You know, people have asked before. They said, you know, you've probably played these scenarios before. Someone said, if you could have any superpower, what would it be? Some people say the fly. Some person said that I heard someone say the ability to read people's minds. I'm like, no, no way. I would not want that. I would not want that one. [00:33:57] (38 seconds)
He is the true light. He is the light that breaks through darkness. He is the one that gives us sustenance when we need a life, because he is the light of life. So this morning, what I hope to do is I hope just to share a little bit of a history and show you a connection here, and show you why this is so important that we celebrate this. You know, the Maccabees, they were bold and daring. Their actions set up a legacy and a dynasty that would last until the Romans took over the area. But even after the Romans took over the area, they appointed Herod to rule the region. [00:36:55] (35 seconds)
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