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Maccabees. They fought for three years until achieving a miraculous victory and deliverance from the
Greco-Syrian rule.

After regaining the Temple, it was cleansed by the Maccabees, cleared of all Greek idolatry, and readied
th
for rededication. The rededication of the Temple to the Lord took place in the year 165 BC, on the 25
day of the Hebrew month called Kislev. Hanukkah is called the Feast of Dedication because it celebrates
the Maccabees’ victory over Greek oppression and the rededication of the Temple.

Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, and this is because immediately following the
miraculous deliverance, God provided another miracle of provision. In the Temple, the eternal flame of
God was always to stay lit as a symbol of God's presence. But according to tradition, when the Temple
was rededicated, there was only enough oil left to burn the flame for one day. The rest of the oil had
been defiled by the Greeks during their invasion, and it would take a week for new oil to be processed
and purified. However, at the rededication, the Maccabees went ahead and set fire to the eternal flame
with the remaining supply of oil. Miraculously, God's Holy presence caused the flame to burn for eight
days until the new sacred oil was ready for use.

Today Hanukkah is traditionally a family celebration with the lighting of the menorah at the center of
the traditions. The Hanukkah menorah is called the hanukkiyah. It is a candelabrum with eight candle
holders in a row, and a ninth candle holder positioned slightly higher than the rest. According to custom,
the candles on the Hanukkah Menorah are lit from left to right.

Fried and oily foods are a reminder of the miracle of the oil. Dreidel games are traditionally played by
children and often the whole household during Hanukkah. Probably because of Hanukkah's proximity to
Christmas, many Jews give gifts during the holiday.

As you recall, Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure in just a few months. This feast
reminded His disciples of the courageous sprit of the Maccabees who remained faithful to God during
intense persecution. He was warning them that they also would all face severe trials because of their
faithfulness to Christ. And like the supernatural presence of God expressed through the eternal flame
burning for the Maccabees, Jesus became the incarnate, physical expression of God’s presence as the
Light of the World, who came to give us the eternal light of God’s life.

After the Feast of Dedication, John tells us that Jesus retreated across the Jordan River to Perea. Jesus
resorted to this place for one major reason – His life was in real danger in Judea as the religious leaders
planned His execution. Perea was the portion of the kingdom of Herod the Great and his son, Herod
Antipas, occupying the eastern side of the Jordan River valley. The religious leaders had little control of
this area, and it was an area ignored by Antipas as having little political significance. Pilate, the governor
of Judea, had been reported to Rome as unfit to lead, so he was very careful to do the bidding of the
Jewish leadership to quell the rumors concerning his leadership. By going to Perea, Jesus left the
jurisdiction of Pilate for that of Antipas, who was not nearly as vulnerable to political manipulation as
was Pilate.

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