Giver of Immortal Gladness
Have you read about the miraculous oil in Judea? It was during a terrible time in the second century BC by the Seleucid Greek dynasty; there was trouble among the Jews about cultural assimilation, and jewish practices were forbidden. Around 168 BC, the Greek king Antiochus IV Epiphanes invaded Jerusalem and turned the Jewish Temple into a shrine to Zeus. More trouble; eventually, Judah Maccabee or Judas Maccabaeus “Judah the Hammer” led the Maccabees i.e., rebels who fought against the oppressing forces, who miraculously defeated the much larger army and won freedom for land and people for 100 years.
Jews celebrate Hanukkah (in Hebrew, “dedication”) to commemorate their rededicating the temple and the miracle of the one days amount of oil lasting 8 days. The oil we commemorate is the fire God sent appearing in Acts 2:3-5.
The same Holy Spirit will come to rest on us. Pray for the renewal. Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit Christ was formed in the womb of Mary. And Christ was born through closed doors. A virgin’s womb. Nothing is impossible for God. (Luke 1:37) Mary did nothing but receive the promised seed from Gen. 3:15, Is. 7:14 God is the source of immortal gladness.
Matthew 1:25 NAB tells us, “Joseph had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.”
Come to the Father, through the Son— the ever open door.
Psalm 5:3b …I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
“The oil we commemorate is the fire God sent” – This reminds me of Elisha and the widow’s oil. Though she had but little oil, all her debts were paid by the provision of the Lord. May we receive the oil of the gladness of the mercy and grace of God this morning
ALL HER DEBTS were paid, how powerful a reminder.