Chanukah to Passover

 

We all know that Easter and Passover coincide, but did you ever think about the fact we celebrate Christ’s birth around Chanukah?  As I write this it is 2005 and Christmas and the start of Chanukah start on the same day.  Is there a connection between Christmas and Chanukah?  Do Chanukah and Passover connect?

What is Chanukah, otherwise called the Feast of Dedication?  Chanukah is Hebrew for dedication.  It is a lavish festival commemorating the purification and reconstruction of the Jerusalem temple and dedication of the new alter by Judas Maccabeus in 165/164 BC.  Three years to the day after Antiochus IV Epiphanes had desecrated it by decreeing pagan sacrifices there.  That date was the 25^th day of Chislev which is around the November/December time frame.

We were desecrated by the sin of Adam and Eve.  Christ came to reconstruct our relationship to God.  He came to purify us through His blood.  Just as God’s temple at Jerusalem was reconstructed and purified, we God’s temple are to be reconstructed and purified through Christ.

Chanukah was commemorated with mirth and gladness, singing of thanksgiving hymns and processions in which palms and other greenery were carried.  When Jesus entered Jerusalem that final time before His death on the cross and resurrection, He was met by singing of praises and branches of greenery and palms spread out on the road before Him (Matthew 21).  After His entry He cleansed the temple “And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were selling, saying to them ‘It is written; And My house shall be a house of Prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.’”  Luke 19:45-46.

Mankind had made God’s creation a robbers den.  Christ came to purify and cleanse us.  “For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I WILL DWELL IN THME AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY WILL BE MY PEOPLE.’”  2^nd Corinthians 6:16.  We are God’s temple and we had to be purified before the relationship could be restored.

Around 70 AD the feast was observed by the lighting of lamps in private houses.  These lamps were lit on successive nights, thus the designation “Feast of Lights.”  “Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’”  John 8:12.

In the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5, Jesus tells us we too as His followers are the light of the world.  We are to let our light shine before men in such a way that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father who is in Heaven.  We are to stand as a purified temple of God where His glory can be seen at all times.

He came to purify us and ultimately did that at the time of Passover.  God’s angel of death passed over the Israelites in Egypt when they put the blood of the lamb on their doorposts.  It is now Christ’s blood that is on the doorposts of us His holy temple.  For Christ is the Lamb of God; the perfect sacrifice.

It is on the occasion of the Feast of Dedication that Jesus described Himself as the Messiah, the Son of God.  “At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.  The Jews therefore gathered around Him and were saying to Him, ‘How long will You keep us in suspense?  If you are the Christ, tell us plainly’.  Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe, the works that I do in My Father’s name, these bear witness of Me.  But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.  My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.’”  John 10:22-30.

The celebration of a new life, reconstructed by Jesus, begins with Chanukah and continues through Passover.  Are you one of His sheep?  If so hear His voice then repent and open yourself up for purification and be cleansed.  Go out in live a life that glorifies God, for He is dwelling with us in His cleansed temple.  We are to let out light shine to the rest of the world that they may find their way out lf the darkness.  Make your life a perpetual feast of light.


 Read Brian's columns at:
   http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
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  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Are you a slave to sin?

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is free from sin.”  Romans 6:4-7

You no longer have to be a slave to sin, as Paul writes we are free from its hold on our life.  Live in Christ’s resurrection an in the glory of the Father.
Not there, still feel the tug of sin in your life?  I too feel that and even slip knowingly into its trap.  Am I lost, are you lost?  Paul was right with us.  After Romans 6 he writes Romans 7 addressing this very issue.

After talking about doing what he hates and knows he should not do, Paul says, “But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.  I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present.  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man; but see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.  Wretched man that I am!  Who shall deliver me out of the body of death?  Romans 7:20-24

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”  Romans 8:1-3

So when we sin it is okay?  This answer is no.  While we are tempted and my give in, it cannot be a way of life.  We must walk in the Spirit.  “that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For mind of flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.”  Romans 8:4-6

It is the path we choose to stay on that is the key.  The longer you are on a path, the more difficult it is to get off.  Walk down the path of the flesh too long and it will lead to death.  Best to not even go there, but if you see yourself straying turn around quickly and get back in the Spirit and receive peace.

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
   http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:


Amazon

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Google


If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

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If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. The dominion belongs to Him forever. Amen. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8-11‬ HCSB)
 Read Brian's columns at:
   http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:


Amazon

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Google


If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

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Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Up and Down

Are you a slave to sin?

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is free from sin.”  Romans 6:4-7

You no longer have to be a slave to sin, as Paul writes we are free from its hold on our life.  Live in Christ’s resurrection an in the glory of the Father.
Not there, still feel the tug of sin in your life?  I too feel that and even slip knowingly into its trap.  Am I lost, are you lost?  Paul was right with us.  After Romans 6 he writes Romans 7 addressing this very issue.

After talking about doing what he hates and knows he should not do, Paul says, “But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.  I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present.  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man; but see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.  Wretched man that I am!  Who shall deliver me out of the body of death?  Romans 7:20-24

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”  Romans 8:1-3

So when we sin it is okay?  This answer is no.  While we are tempted and my give in, it cannot be a way of life.  We must walk in the Spirit.  “that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For mind of flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.”  Romans 8:4-6

It is the path we choose to stay on that is the key.  The longer you are on a path, the more difficult it is to get off.  Walk down the path of the flesh too long and it will lead to death.  Best to not even go there, but if you see yourself straying turn around quickly and get back in the Spirit and receive peace.

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
   http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:


Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Google


If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Our Sins Passd Over

“Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old.”  Exodus 12:5a

“Moreover they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two door posts on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.  And they shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall it it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”  Exodus 12:7-8

This is what the Father had the Israelites do to save the life of their first born in Egypt.

“For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night and will strike down all the first born in the land of Egypt.”  Exodus 12:12a

“And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”  Exodus 12:13

Christ came and shed His blood to be put over our hearts to protect us from judgment.  His flesh was roasted in hell fire so ours will not.  Christ told us we were to eat His flesh.  “And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it the disciples, and said ‘take eat; this is My body’.  And He took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is to be shed on behalf of many for forgiveness of sins.’”  Matthew 26:26-28

He is the perfect lamb; without blemish whose blood was shed for any who put the blood on the door post of their heart to show that they believe the judgment will pass over them.  It is His flesh that roasted in hell fire for us to have life.  Accept His blood and pierced body as the sacrifice for your sins.  Eat and drink and be set free.  As Pharaoh finally let the Israelites leave Egypt, Satin has lost his claim on your life.  We are no longer slaves in a foreign land.  We now inhabit the kingdom of God.

His blood of the covenant is from the promise He made Abraham in Genesis chapter 15, that He would offer up His blood no matter who broke the covenant.  Mankind broke it and His blood was shed.

Christ is the first born whose blood was shed for us.  “And He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation.  For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”  Colossians 1:15-17

A first born was to be taken and He became that first born, since He was the first born of all.  All things are held together in Him; our lives are held together by Jesus so we would not have to be broken and roasted.  Our flesh lives because His was sacrificed.

Our sins are passed over and we are one with the first born of all creation; the one who created it all.  Accept and believe and rise up anew on Easter morning.

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:


Kindle

Nook Book

Google

If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:


Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

On His Birthday Honor One He Honored

On that glorious day of our Savior's birth, someone humbly was a part of His coming to save.

Jesus was at a wedding with His mother and His disciples.  In the course of the celebration the wine rant out.  Mary knowing clearly who her Son was went to Him and told Him, “The have no wine” and Jesus said to her “Woman what do I have to do with you, My hour has not come.”  John 2:3-4
Jesus is at this moment separating Himself from His mother.  I have heard it said this is the moment He points out she is no longer a controlling factor in His life, that her significance is over.  But there is more.  Note what happens next.

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you do it.’”  John 2:5  There were some water pots and Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water”  John 2:7  They drew some out and found it had become wine.  This is the beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana, but there is more.  Even though He was establishing who He is at that moment, He also honored His mother.  Jesus was obeying the fifth commandment to honor His parents.  Mary is not insignificant in His life.
It is clear how significant Mary is to her Son, God’s Son.  While she is not to be worshiped there are two scriptures that show what she means to Him.

An angel came to Mary and said “Hail favored one!  The Lord is with you.”  Luke 1:28  She is the favored one of the Lord, no other has received such a blessing, to be the mother of God’s Son.  She is considered the most blessed among women.

Then just before Jesus said His last words He made sure His mother was taken care of.  “When Jesus therefore saw His mother and the disciple whom He had loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!’  Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’  And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household.”  John 19:26-27
Jesus’ last concern before giving Himself up to death was for His mother, that she be cared for and gave His final instruction on that.  Jesus, creator of the universe, honored His mother.  He did not worship her, but He did honor her.  We should honor her as well.

Have a Merry Christmas

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:

Kindle

Nook Book

Google

If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Right of Way

Where ever you drive in America there are rules of the road where someone has the right away depending on the situation.  These rules are meant to create an even flow of traffic.  Most drivers know the rules and obey.  Some out of fear of a ticket and others who know it is the right thing to do.
 Beyond these rules of order on the road we find three kinds of people.  Most follow the rule; a second type yields the right away on a close situation; the third steal the right away whenever they can.
There is a route I take to work where I see all three daily.  There are a number of intersections where one direction always has the right away, no stop required.  The crossing traffic has a stop sign and by law must wait for an opening to proceed.  In the morning traffic is quite heavy and it is stop and go.  If the vehicles with the right away continued to take it the cross traffic would never move.
What has developed over time is a process where every other car allows someone at the stop sign to go.  This alternating yielding allows for a better flow of traffic.  We see people adapting for the good of all.  No one is stuck waiting for an opening.  These are the yielders.
Some in this situation do not allow a cross trafficker to go.  That is their right and they take it.  Then there are some who go right through the stop, no matter what.  One morning I saw four cars in a row force their way through.  These people feel it is their right and everyone must stop for them.
This is the way of life.  Some simply follow the rules and move through life taking nothing extra and giving nothing extra.  These people go through life with nothing much in return.  Some even complain, I follow the rules and get nothing for it.
The right away stealers move through their life taking all they can get.  And it seems to work out for them.  Some earn a great deal of money on the backs of others.  Are they successful?  Depends on how you define success.  Many of these people complain that they don’t have enough, they are never satisfied.
Then come the third group, they give their rights away for the benefit of others.  This must be a choice, I am not talking about socialism where it id forced.  These people are typically satisfied with life, no matter the challenges or trials.  They will give credit to others for their successes.  They are willing to share all rewards for success.  These people make the best of tough situations.
As human beings we all have some of all three in us.  The key is which of these styles is dominant in your life and which of these styles honor our Savior?  I hope Christ is your Savior, if not think about His style.
As creator of all God has the total right away to do whatever He wishes.  As sinners He has the right to put us to death.  Don’t think you are a sinner?  I challenge you to make an honest review of your life.
So Jesus comes into the picture and show His style.  He came to earth to teach us and show by example how to deal with the right away.  First He showed us to show compassion by the way He showed love through healing.  He taught us how to treat others by not judging, but in forgiving.  He taught there are consequences for not following that path.  He taught us to give and to help others out of love.
Ultimately, when faced with false charges and condemned to die, He did not demand His rights.  He surely could have stopped it with one word, but did not.  He is the ultimate example of giving away the right away, that others may proceed into a right relationship with God.  A relationship we forfeited when we chose to sin.  We are cleansed when He had the right to condemn.  Christ yielding the right away to all who would receive.  It is not something we can take, we must receive.  Those who go through life neither taking or giving also miss the boat, because they do not see they actually have no right to proceed unless they accept the yield from Christ.
Through our gracious Lord and Savior we have the right to take the right away He has given through His sacrifice.  Proceed and have everlasting life, a life we have not earned, but have been given out of love.
God Bless

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:

Kindle

Nook Book

Google

If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.