|
John 10:10-11, 22 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, Tonight is the first night of Chanukah. This evening the majority of Jews around the world, believers and non-believers alike, will remember this joyous event by lighting the first candle of the nine branch candelabrum. Since this week we are also looking at the story of Joseph, let us find a connection. Just like there are many foreshadows of Messiah, there are also many foreshadows of the Anti-Messiah. Like many did before him and others continued after him, Antiochus Epiphanes established himself on the world of his day to bring darkness, fear, sorrow and perdition to God’s people. Joseph on the other hand was also established on the world of his day, but he brought light, safety, joy and redemption to God’s people. We could therefore think of the story of Joseph as a ‘Chanukah’ in reverse. Our Master Yeshua taught us that Chanukah was a foreshadow of events yet to come (Matthew 24:15-31). When He went to Jerusalem to celebrate this glorious festival He used the opportunity to teach us about the evil one, about the false shepherd and the thief that will one day manifest himself and devour God’s flock (John 10:1-22). Yes, there will be another ‘Chanukah’. Its story echoes the ones of Passover with Moses and of Purim with Mordechai and Queen Ester. At that time, may we remember then that as there was a Pharaoh, a Haman and an Antiochus Epiphanes who all willed the annihilation of God’s people if they did not conform to the world around them, there will also be a Moses, a Mordechai and a Mathias Maccabee who will rescue us away from the hands of the Evil One. Yes, at that time The Good Shepherd Our Messiah, like David of old who killed a lion and bear to protect the flocks (1 Samuel 17:34-36), will come and rescue God’s children from the hands the Evil One. May we at that time be found on the right side of History!
Related Articles -
Chanukah, Joseph, Anti-Christ,
|
