Jesus Christ Is The Light

There is much debate on one hand, the year Jesus Christ was born and whether Jesus Christ was born on December 25th or some other date. While on the other hand, people question if Christmas is a Christian or a pagan holiday? There is much info out there that muddies up the river of truth, with questionable theories and flat out lies to put doubt into a Christians heart. Which is the devil’s way to cause Christians to question their faith and worse, question the validity of the Holy Bible.

We could get into a deep study to prove the year Jesus Christ was born, since I’ve already studied that for myself, comparing Scripture with History. And show you through the Holy Spirit inspired Scriptures that Jesus Christ was not born in the winter (such as December or January). We can even legitimately challenge the worldly, carnal ideas that Christmas is not a pagan holiday.

But what would be the point of all that? All it would do is turn people away from Christ rather than draw you closer to Him. Sure, we could win an argument and win some clarification points along the way. But ultimately, it would distract you away from a message that Jesus Christ Himself ministered in December, 2000 years ago that many pass over. And that message is what we will focus on in this study.

The Holy Bible reveals to us the importance around the time we celebrate Christmas and what Jesus Christ taught the world about Himself in this season. And by the way, December is the beginning of winter in Israel. That has not changed for the past Millenia’s, in spite of the “global warming” hoax. And when you read the narrative of Jesus Christ’s birth, it does not mention winter at all. But winter is mentioned in the Holy Bible pertaining to December found in

John 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

This is a small verse that tells us so much about the time frame when Jesus Christ ministered something very important. Because we do know for sure, everything that Jesus Christ spoke came from God Most High, His Father (John 7:16/John 12:49-50). And we also know throughout the Holy Bible that God is never late, and does not act early. He is always on time. And there is always a purpose behind the message and the timing of the message.

In this verse, it tells us: Jesus Christ was in Jerusalem and it was winter, at the Feast of the Dedication. This particular feast proves what month this message from God was preached. It was in December! And the feast is Hanukkah.

What Is Hanukkah

Feast of the Dedication is another word for Hanukkah. And what is Hanukkah exactly? The short answer: Hanukkah is a celebration of a miracle that took place in the temple in Jerusalem, during the Maccabean revolt. And that miracle is when the Menorah stayed lit for eight days on one day’s supply of oil. And ever since then, the Jews celebrate the One and only true God of the heavens and the earth that performed that miracle as an everlasting testament to His people Israel.

This feast is not a sacred feast day according to the law or the tradition of men. But it is a commemoration of what God had done for His people during a time when hope was dwindling in Israel. It first commemorates the deliverance of Israelis who were oppressed with the Hellenistic culture and religion, before Christ’s birth. It also memorializes the dedication of the second temple after it had been defiled by Gentiles pagan religion. This is the same temple that was rebuilt by Ezra, and later on remodeled by Herod. And it also commemorates the miracle of light.

God’s True Purpose Behind Hanukkah

This celebration spiritually parallels the purpose of the greatest miracle of all that God was about to perform through Jesus Christ, yet they did not recognize that truth at the time when the Lord came to His people. Jesus Christ is the miracle that they’ve been waiting for and was promised by the Prophets. The Messiah. The Deliverer, The sacrificial Lamb of God for Salvation… The Light of the World. Yet, they recognized Him not

John 1:1-13 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.

The Holy Spirit of God revealed through the Apostle John, that Jesus Christ (The Word) was in the beginning before creation of the Heavens and the earth, and all that was in them with God Most High (El Elyon). Which shows us the truth that Jesus Christ was not created by God, but is the eternal light with God. And Jesus Christ created with God His Father and They are the Author of all life

All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Jesus Christ was not only Creator with God, He is also the true Light! That very light points back to Genesis 1:1-4 and Genesis 1:26-27. And even though the Chief Priests and Scribes knew the truth according to the Law and the Prophets concerning the specific details of the promised Messiah. 

How He was to come into the world and where He is to be born (Matthew 2:1-6). And that He was to come at a perfect time where humanity sat in spiritual darkness (Matthew 4:12-17)! Yet they recognized Him not, neither did they receive Him as Lord and Savior.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.

Here’s the good news, those who have believed in Him in the days of Christ and after His death, resurrection and ascension and received Him as Lord and Savior, they became children of God through Jesus Christ The Lord. And that’s the perfect will of God. The very God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The only God of Israelis and Gentiles

But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Salvation Is Only In Jesus Christ

In order to receive salvation through Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha’Mashiach) and be sons and daughters of God, you must acknowledge in your heart and confess out of your mouth: Jesus Christ came into this world by the virgin birth in the flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Died on the cross for the remission of sins, and raised from the dead in bodily flesh. Then repent from sinning and know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

For true salvation starts with acknowledging that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. To be His sheep, you must know that Jesus Christ is Messiah. And that is what He preached to His people, the lost sheep of Israel in December on the days of Hanukkah

John 10:24-30 Then came the Jews round about Him, and said unto Him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If Thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of My sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:

The Lord is not only telling us that He is the Christ, He is also proclaiming to be the shepherd, gathering the Lost sheep. Of Israel first, and then unto the world. Proclaiming the gathering of His sheep is the reason why He came to earth at a perfect time. To save that which is lost.

He’s also pointing back to His teaching that His sheep not only believes, but also hears the voice of the Shepherd which is ministering a close relationship with Him and follows Him wherever He goes. In order to follow Him, He says,

Luke 9:23 And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Notice, He ministered this “to them all, if any man.” He didn’t preach this exclusively to Jews only. And certainly, didn’t exclude Gentiles either. Nor did He minister to a specific gender. He ministered this to all… “If any man will!”

Living by faith according to the Scriptures is what is required to follow Jesus Christ not just as Savior only, but also as Lord of your life. Faith is putting into action what you believe. And if you believe all the teachings of Jesus Christ, you would put that into practice.

Therefore, He says here, to follow Him, deny yourself. Deny the will of the world, the flesh and of the devil. Pick up the cross daily, meaning to mortify… put to death the sins of the flesh. That’s repentance daily. And that’s how we follow Jesus Christ as Lord.

Those who believe, live by faith, follow the Lord and genuinely know Him (relationship) are those who are truly saved, and no man can separate you from Jesus Christ nor from His Father. Because the genuine sheep of His flock will not follow a stranger… only the Shepherd. 

The genuine sheep of His flock are those whom He gave power to become sons of God. For the Shepherd will protect His sheep from all danger and harm of false ministers and doctrines of demons. And also from the wiles and schemes of the devil

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.

Anything that God does in your life is an amazing miracle. And anyone who has ever experienced miracles from God should always be thankful unto Him. But the greatest miracle of all is the salvation that only Jesus Christ can give, for He is the true miracle. For He gave deliverance from sins and salvation. And through Him is the light of life…. Eternal Life