Jerusalem, Jerusalem

Matthew 23:37 reads: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”

Luke 13:34 is nearly the same cry, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”

Why does Yeshua repeat, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem" in both verses?

We know that it is significant in the Hebrew bible when a word is repeated. The repetition of "Jerusalem, Jerusalem" in both Luke 13:34 and Matthew 23:37 echoes a known Hebrew Bible poetic device where doubling a word intensifies emotion, urgency, or emphasis. 

Here are two wonderful examples in the Tanakh:

Isaiah 26:3 - "Shalom, Shalom" ("Peace, peace") in emphasizing perfect peace, a deep, lasting peace and a foundation of trust for stability for those who focus and rely on Him. Here is the full text.

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you," 

Another powerful example of repetition is in Psalm 13:1-2. In these verses we hear David’s cry of exasperation expressed with the repetition of "How long?" Here is the full text:

"A psalm of David.
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?". 

KAVANAH -- INTENTION

The verses in Matthew and Luke are pure intention. Below I am going to break down what I believe Yeshua's, Jesus's, "kavanah" is in those versus from Matthew and Luke.

When Yeshua starts by repeating "Jerusalem, Jerusalem" followed by "you who", Yeshua is amplifying that He is speaking to the people of Israel. Now that I have "your" attention, and it is quite clear who Yeshua is speaking to, what is it He wants Israel to know and understand? 

They Were Sent -- Intention

Firstly, that the Hebrew prophets were sent to Israel, to the Jews. They were sent intentionally. The Hebrew prophets were sent primarily to Israel and the Jews to call them back to covenant faithfulness with God, warn of judgment for idolatry and injustice, and urge repentance. 

They Were NOT From—They Were Sent. 

The New Testament provides birthplaces or origins for several of the 12 apostles. And we know the birthplace of Jesus is Bethlehem. None state Jerusalem; They were all "sent" to Jerusalem. One apostle that the gospels do not tell us the birthplace of, is Stephen.  Stephen, was the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death.

One Who Was NOT Killed

It is notable that in those gospels verses (Luke 13:34 and Matthew 23:37), when Jesus says "Jerusalem, Jerusalem," all twelve apostles were still alive. All of them were killed violently with the exception of the apostle John. (Not to be confused with John the Baptist.)

Thus, Yeshua's statement in Matthew and Luke is a factual statement about the past prophets and simultaneously a prophecy about the fate of the apostles at the same time. It is an example of His Omnipotence.

The Book of Revelation was written by John decades after the Gospels. John had an extended lifespan and was the last surviving apostle.  

John the Baptist heralded Jesus' arrival as the Messiah, while the apostle John proclaimed the end-times in Revelation.

What is Yeshua's message? 

Longing

Yeshua is expressing his desire–he "longed." He longed so deeply that he grieved.  

In Luke 19:41-44, as He nears the city on the way to His crucifixion, Jesus weeps, lamenting, “Would that you had known the things that make for peace!" Yeshua is grieving Jerusalem's

blindness to Him as Messiah, echoing the "longed" desire of Matt 23:37/Luke 13:34.

Persistence‐–He Never Gave Up

Yeshua tried multiple times --"how often." He tried with the 12 tribes, he tried through the prophets. He tried again with the 12 apostles. His death was his last resort.

Longing Foreshadowed Lamenting 

 

After "Jerusalem, Jerusalem," in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion, Yeshua laments with raw human anguish, repeating "Abba, Father... take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will" (Mark 14:36; Matt 26:39). Yeshua repeated three times amid bloody sweat (Luke 22:44)—as He anticipates the cross's horror. He recoiled over the thought of the "Cup of Wrath" to come. This "cup" (Isa 51:17; Jer 25:15) symbolizes God's stored wrath against sin, poured out in judgment on the cross. 

Longing To Gather

We are right in the middle, between the end of Hanukkah and the beginning of Christmas. The day Jerry Seinfeld famous dubbed Festivus. 

This non-commercial holiday's celebration, as depicted on Seinfeld, occurs on December 23 just before Christmas, and includes a Festivus dinner, an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole, practices such as the "airing of grievances" and "feats of strength", and the labeling of easily explainable events as "Festivus miracles." 

The Miracle of Hanukkah

I want to call our attention to prayers of the Maccabees in the Book of Maccabees.  I'd be willing to bet 99.9% of people, even those who celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, are unaware of these:

A prayer for Gathering & Deliverance:

2 Maccabees 1:27 -- 

"Gather those together that are scattered from us, deliver them that serve among the heathen, look upon them that are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that thou art our God."

Quick rhetorical question: Which prophet served among the heathen?  Hint: He was an important sign. 

In addition, are prayers for Atonement & Resurrection described in the verses 2 Maccabees 12:42-46.

Back To Jerusalem

Back to our verses in Matthew and Luke, and Yeshua's ultimate kavanah (intention). He sought to "gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings."

Why does a hen gathers her chicks under her wings? 

A hen gathers her chicks under her wings to shield them from predators, provide warmth, and offer comfort during danger or cold.

This image reminds of Bob Dylan.

Born 1941 was a Jew named Robert Allen Zimmerman who changed his name to Bob Dylan. In the late 1970s he embraced Jesus as his savior and became an Evangelical Christian. Bob wrote a song called "Shelter from the Storm" which appeared on his iconic 1975 album, Blood on the Tracks, a widely acclaimed landmark record.  The song evokes gathering amid turmoil with its repeated refrain: a mysterious woman offers refuge to a wanderer battered by life's chaos: "Come in... I'll give you shelter from the storm." 

I wonder if Bob is painting an image of the wrong woman in Proverbs 9?  Humans do seek refuge in the wrong places, especially in the entertainment industry! 

Proverbs 9:13-18

Folly is an unruly woman;

    she is simple and knows nothing.

She sits at the door of her house,

    on a seat at the highest point of the city,

calling out to those who pass by,

    who go straight on their way,

“Let all who are simple come to my house!”

To those who have no sense she says,

“Stolen water is sweet;

    food eaten in secret is delicious!”

But little do they know that the dead are there,

   that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

How often has Jerusalem, Israel and the Jewish people suffered choas? How often have we faced dark storms? How often have we been scattered?  More times that we can count. Every time the Lord rescued us. But wouldn't it be nice to live in Shalom, Shalom; to have "Perfect, Peace"? 

Shema; Hear, oh Israel...

"...and you were not willing.”

But We Didn't Listen. We didn't hear. 

Conclusion

I'm going to give you my conclusion in a song. On another one of Bob Dylan's famous albums, "Slow Train Coming," is one of his very many hit songs. It is titled, 🎵 You Gotta Serve Somedody. Shema, hear. Here is a link to listen to my conclusion. 

Happy Hanukkah 🕎 and Merry Christmas🎄

SAGE OR PROPHET

What Christmas would be complete without considering Daniel's prophecy concerning the Messiah. Especially on the 8th day of Hanukkah!

A person's title can have a giant affect on how they are perceived and the authority they are granted. One of the greatest and most profound examples of this has to do with famous bible figure Daniel, of the Book of Daniel. 

Impact on Perception

Titles amplify Daniel's influence: sages see unmatched intellect in exile; prophets embody foretold hope. This duality affects authority—sage for ethical guidance, prophet for eschatology. Modern interpreters blend both, viewing him as faithful servant amid pagan courts.

To the Jewish scholar, Daniel is a "Sage." To anyone who believes Jesus came on the scene as the Messiah, Daniel is a "Prophet."

These distinctions highlight how interpretive lenses affect biblical figures' legacies. The contrast underscores the power of titles in granting perceived wisdom or foresight.

Sage Isn't A Bad Thing

In fact, "sage" is a good thing. Judaism views the rank of a sage as superior to a prophet due to deeper insight from God's Spirit, the Ruach Hakodesh.

The Jewish Sage Gamaliel

I will mostly quote now from this article, "Gamaliel: Renowned Jewish Sage of Ancient Times"

Gamaliel was mentioned twice in the Acts of the Apostles. He was a Hebrew Sage that had a big impact on Jewish history and early Christianity. He was a key figure in the Sanhedrin, the top ancient Jewish law group during the Temple period. His wise and kind way with the apostles made him well-respected by early followers of Jesus who were still Jews.

Gamaliel took over as the Sanhedrin’s leader after his grandfather Hillel.  He followed in his family’s footsteps, making laws that were kind to women and outsiders. His open-mindedness made him stand out among other Pharisees.

He was known as Gamaliel ha-zaqen or “Gamaliel the Elder.” His teachings are found in the Mishnah, a key Jewish text. As a Rabban, he was one of seven doctors of Jewish law, greatly influencing Jewish law. His actions were seen as kind and forward-thinking.

The Deciding Factor with Daniel

Daniel's exceptional wisdom outweighed all the gentile wise men in King Nebuchadnezzar II's Kingdom of Babylon. Because of the emphasis on Daniel's interpretive skill and wisdom over direct prophecy, his book resides in the "Writings," and NOT in the "Prophets" of the Hebrew bible. This distinction reflects this emphasis on ruach ha-kodesh as "inspired knowledge," also known as "intuition."

Christian View as Prophet

Even though Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dreams with divine revelation, Christians regard Daniel as a major prophet for his prediction of Messiah's kingdom and end-times (Daniel 7–12).  Prophecies such as the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:24-27), which is linked to Jesus' comings, elevated Daniel's prophetic status.

The Basis For The Different Understanding 

The distinction between Jews and Christians understanding of the Ruach Hakodesh needs to be pointed out in order to appreciate why Daniel is classified as a sage versus a prophet.

It All Centers on the Ruach HaKodesh

Jewish and Christian understandings of Ruach HaKodesh diverge sharply, explaining why Daniel embodies sagely wisdom rather than prophetic status in Jewish eyes. This distinction roots in prophecy's cessation post-Malachi and Ruach's redefined role, elevating interpretive genius over visionary revelation.

Jewish Concept of Ruach HaKodesh

Ruach HaKodesh denotes divine inspiration for profound insight, not a personified entity or ongoing prophecy. Jewish belief holds sages surpass prophets through this Spirit-driven discernment, as it yields Torah-deep understanding amid exile. Daniel's visions reflect such elevated wisdom (ruach ha-kodesh), placing his book in Ketuvim (Writings) rather than Nevi'im (Prophets).

Christian Concept of Holy Spirit

Christians view the Holy Spirit as the third Trinitarian person—active, indwelling, and prophetic—who empowers foretelling, like Daniel's Messianic timelines (Daniel 7–12, 9:24-27). This personal, eternal Spirit equates Ruach with New Testament outpouring (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2), affirming Daniel's prophetic mantle. 

Conclusion

I do not put as much stock in the distinction between having divine wisdom and being a prophet. As I see it either way the Book of Daniel, and Daniel himself, are amazing. I think we would all do well to give Daniel the grace he deserves.

Daniel's legacy transcends titles like sage or prophet, uniting Jews and Christians in awe of his unwavering faithfulness and divine insight. His book reveals profound wisdom amid exile, offering timeless lessons on integrity and God's sovereignty. Daniel's story inspires across traditions. His visions encourage hope amid uncertainty, blending wisdom with foresight.

Citations:

[1] Ruach and the Hebrew Word for the Holy Spirit — FIRM Israel https://firmisrael.org/learn/ruach-the-hebrew-word-for-holy-spirit/

[2] The Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) - March 2015 - Jewish Jewels https://www.jewishjewels.org/news-letters/ruach-hakodesh-march/

[3] Holy Spirit vs. Ruach HaKodesh: Divine Presence https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/holy-spirit-vs-ruach-hakodesh-revealing-the-essence-of-divine-presence/

[4] The Ruach HaKodesh: What can we know about “It?” Part I https://rabdavis.org/the-ruach-hakodesh-what-can-we-know-about-it-part-i/

[5] Spirit in Judaism - part 2: Rabbis and Chasidism - Segullah https://www.segullah.net/spirit-judaism-part-2/

[6] Holy Spirit in Judaism - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit_in_Judaism

[7] What is the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in Judaism? - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Judaism/comments/1pdemvm/what_is_the_doctrine_of_the_holy_spirit_in_judaism/

[8] I have a question. I have come to believe that the Holy Spirit isn't a ... https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianstodayneedtorah/posts/9399733163411152/

[9] RUACH HAKODESH (The Holy Spirit) - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kofiowusupeprah/posts/ruach-hakodesh-the-holy-spirit/798343762292507/

[10] Daniel, the Prophet Who Was Not a Prophet | Messianic Bible https://www.messianicbible.com/feature/daniel-the-prophet-who-was-not-a-prophet/

[11] Why Isn't the Book of Daniel Part of the Prophets? - Chabad.org https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1735365/jewish/Why-Isnt-the-Book-of-Daniel-Part-of-the-Prophets.htm

[12] Prophet Daniel - Orthodox Church in America https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2016/12/17/103559-prophet-daniel

[13] Daniel - Insight for Living https://insight.org/resources/bible/the-major-prophets/daniel

NAMES MATTER

Exodus 20:7 states: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."

Names in Scripture are not just labels but revelations of identity, character, calling, and relationship—both for God and for human beings. 

The Second Commandment underscores the profound holiness of God's name by prohibiting its misuse, reflecting its intimate connection to divine identity and authority.

This protects "the name" as a revelation of God's essence, demanding reverence rather than casual or irreverent use.

Observant Jews use Hashem in conversation—"Baruch Hashem" for "Thank God"—to express gratitude or faith, preserving the mystery of the divine while bearing His name through righteous living. 

Hashem, meaning "The Name" in Hebrew (הַשֵּׁם), serves as a reverent substitute for the sacred Tetragrammaton YHWH (יהוה), the personal name of God revealed in Scripture.

Names Matter

To say “names matter in the Bible” is to say that naming is a theological act bound up with creation, covenant, and destiny. 

In biblical thought a name expresses a person’s essence, character, or nature, not just a sound used to address them.

To know someone’s name is, in some sense, to know the person. Names often summarize a life-calling or destiny: they can be prophetic, commemorative (marking an event), or descriptive of a person’s character or circumstances.

Jewish mysticism and midrashic traditions, holds that an angel whispers the child's destined name to the mother at birth, infusing it with prophetic significance tied to the soul's essence.

This belief posits that parents receive a spark of divine intuition and inspiration, known as the (רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ) the Ruach Hakodesh, when selecting a name, guided by an angel who reveals the name "from on high" that matches the infant's neshamah (soul), ensuring the child's identity aligns with heavenly decree. This is to say that there is some prophetic aspect to the name we are given.

God Given Names and Name Changes

When the bible tells us that God, or His angelic messenger assigns a name, it is a given that the person has a world affecting role, starting with Adam, אָדָם, which is Hebrew for "Man." 

Genesis 1:27 God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Adam names Eve in Genesis 3:20 -- And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. The Hebrew of Eve is חַוָּה (Chavah) which means "life" or "to give life," reflecting her role as the mother of all humanity after the Fall from Eden. 

Let's fast forward:

• Ishmael: (Genesis 16:11) "God hears" – named by the angel for Hagar.
• Isaac: (Genesis 17:19) "Laughter" – God told Abraham his wife Sarah would bear a son named Isaac.
• Solomon: (1 Chronicles 22:9) "Jedidiah" (beloved of the LORD) – God instructed Nathan to name him this.
• Josiah: (1 Kings 13:2) "Founded of the LORD" – Prophesied to be born to the house of David.
• Samson: (Judges 13) His parents were told by an angel he would be a Nazirite and deliver Israel.
• Isaiah: (Isaiah 44:26-28) God speaks of him by name, saying "He is my shepherd" and prophesying Jerusalem's rebuilding.
• John the Baptist: (Luke 1:13) "Jehovah has been gracious" – was given by the angel Gabriel to Zechariah.
• Jesus: (Matthew 1:21) The angel told Joseph, "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Speaking of Messengers/Angels, their names fit the context of the duty or function they are called to perform.

Daniel 10:13, 21: An angel tells Daniel that Michael, one of the chief princes, helped him fight off the spiritual "prince of Persia". In Daniel 8:16: "And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.”

Note: The book of Daniel is regarded quite differently in Judaism than in Christianity. Given the significance of Daniel in the New Testament versus the Tenach, this is profoundly important. A topic for another time. 

When God changes a person’s name, it signals a deep shift in identity and mission: Avram (אַבְרָם) (high father) becomes Avraham (אַבְרָהָם) for (father of a multitude), derived from Hebrew אב 'Av' (father) and הָמוֹן 'hamon' (multitude). 

 (“father of many nations”) with the covenant promise that many nations will come from him.

Jacob (“supplanter” or “heel-grabber”) becomes Israel, Genesis 32:28 --for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed. This change marks his transformed relationship with God and a new role as a Hebrew patriarch, forefather. 

My Personal Name Experience

Me - Tashlich 2016

Everyone who knows me prior to 2016 calls me by my first name, "Bobby." During the Jewish High Holidays, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, I asked everyone at my temple to call me by other name, my Hebrew middle name, Jonah יוֹנָה (Yonah)

At the time, I wrote this explanation - "Call Me By My Other Name."

God’s Name and God’s Self-Revelation

The Second Commandment’s prohibition of taking the divine name in vain presupposes that the name of the Lord is holy and intimately tied to God’s own being. 

Calling on the name of the Lord is associated with salvation and covenant loyalty, for example Joel 2:26 -- 

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the Lord your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame.

 Joel 2:32--

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls. 

At the burning bush, in Exodus 3:14 God reveals the name “I Am Who I Am” (Hebrew: Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh), a self-designation that discloses God’s eternal, self-existent nature and ongoing faithfulness. 

CHRIST-MAS

I trust everyone knows that "Christ" is Greek for the Hebrew word Messiah is Mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ). In Greek, "mas" (μας) is a possessive and personal pronoun meaning "our." So Christ-mas is essentially "Our Messiah." Therefore, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of "Our Messiah."

This begs the question of "who is the our" in that statement. It is fair to say that it is "the world" which includes the Jew and the Gentile. In fact, Jesus came for the Jew first. He also prophetically said that "the first would be last in the last would be first." Haven't we seen that enough times in the stories of the Hebrew Patriarchs? I'm reminded of Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

One God

Prior to Jesus, the only flame of holy Light, was burning in the temple in Jerusalem, in Zion.  With the birth of Jesus, a new Light was established. 

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה | אֶחָֽד

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6:4

Hashem tells us the Light is אֶחָֽד Echad, One. On Hanukkah, in John 10, Jesus makes the statement that rocks the world. 

 "I and My Father are one.” -- John 10:30

Tonight, on the last night of Hanukkah, the supernatural 8th night, I will be lighting the Menorah at a senior home in Millbrook called "The Fountains." How fitting! A devine appointment. I'm sure there will be Jews and Christians there.  If I have my way, we will all be one! 

The Birth of Jesus

With Christmas, the Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus just days away, and with so much strife in the world, it helps to understand the name of Jesus. 

Isaiah 7:14 foretells: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). 

The Hebrew text word virgin reads "almah (עַלְמָה)" which is literally "young woman." The Jewish understanding of an almah is a "young woman" of marriageable age, implying sexual maturity but not necessarily virginity. 

Interestingly, Mary's (Miriam) "to be husband" Joseph has the same question about Mary's "virginity." Mary's betrothal to Joseph mirrors almah's profile: a young, pledged woman whose unexpected pregnancy prompts Joseph's concern over fidelity (Matthew 1:18-19). 

This sets the stage for Isaiah's sign of divine intervention when an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, he instructed him, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21 NKJV). 

Sounds Familiar

Yeshua, or Joshua, Jesus’ name in Hebrew, means “Yahweh saves” or “The Lord is salvation.” Where have we heard the concept of "Yahweh saves” or “The Lord is salvation” before?  One answer is in the book of Jonah, verse 2.9:

וַאֲנִ֗י בְּק֚וֹל תּוֹדָה֙ אֶזְבְּחָה־לָּ֔ךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָדַ֖רְתִּי אֲשַׁלֵּ֑מָה יְשׁוּעָ֖תָה לַֽיהֹוָֽה" 

But I, with a voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You; that which I have vowed, I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!

That proclamation is enough. Immediately after Jonah declairs "Salvation belongs to the LORD!" Is verse Jonah 2:10

"And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land."

The book of Jonah starts by telling us in 

Jonah 1.1 "And the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai"

Jonah is the son of Truth. Jonah, (pronounced Yona in Hebrew) means "Dove."  There is another time in scripture when a Dove, a יוֹנָה (Yonah) is linked to dry land. It is in the story of the Great Flood and the New Creation told to us in Genesis 8:8.

"He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground."

The Dove יוֹנָה (Yonah) is the sign of the new earth, new creation!

The verses continue 8:9-13

But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark.  Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore.

And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry. 

Jonah 2.9 -- But I, with a voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You; that which I have vowed, I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD! 

Baruch Hashem -- Thank God. 

WRAPPED IN CLOTH

Luke 2:12 (ESV) -- And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. 

With Christmas 7 days away, I ask you, where does the prophecy say the Messiah will be found? 

Micha told us where ...

Micah 5:2 (ESV) -- But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 

So the "Wise Men," having been schooled long ago by the prophet Daniel, knew where to look: 

Matthew 2:1-2, 9-10 (ESV) -- Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” ... After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 

How Will They Recognize Him?

The "Wise Men" went to see him, but before that, just after he was born, Yeshu'ah was wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger. Both details are important.  

Stone Manger

Swaddling clothes are long strips of linen (swaddling bands). In a "manger" underscores Jesus's profound humility. In first-century Judean homes or caves, a manger (Greek phatnē) was a rectangular trough or stone ledge where livestock ate fodder like hay or grain. It held food accessible to animals' heads. It was basically a raised basin. 

WITNESSES

Christmas is the story of Jesus's birth. The next time we hear of Jesus being wrapped in linen clothes is when he is placed on the stone ledge along a wall in his tomb by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. That's where two of his apostles, John and Peter, looked in and saw only the linen clothes. 

John 20:4-5 (ESV) -- Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 

Seeing only the linen clothes without Jesus, they finally understood. 

John 20:9 (ESV) -- for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 

WRAPPED IN CLOTH

Seeing the baby wrapped in linen cloth is how they recognize baby Jesus. Seeing the linen clothes without Jesus's body is how when they realize Jesus has risen.

Those famous burial linen clothes, known for many centuries as the Shroud of Turin and the Sudarium (facecloth) of Oviedo, testify to Jesus's death and ressurection. They are Jesus's own testimony written with his own blood.  The shroud is a Love Letter written to the world.

What Is It About Birth and Death that IS So Significant?

What is the very first and the very last thing associated with the moment life starts and ends?  At birth, the baby makes a loud cry and breath inflates its lungs.  When we die, our last breath leaves our body.  Our soul departs our body.

Matthew 27.50 (ESV) -- And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. As it says in Luke 23:46 (ESV) "... And having said this he breathed his last."

Read about Crying out. 

THE TRUTH

Jesus foretold to his disciples why he had to breath his last breath in John chapter 16. The whole chapter is amazing, but I want to point out a particular verse in light of the holiday we are in. 

John 16.7 (ESV) -- Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 

The First and Only Mention of Hanukkah is in the Bible - The gosple of John chapter 10.

There is no mention of Hanukkah in the Hebrew Tenach. But Jesus is at the temple for Hanukkah in the Gospels. 

Jesus had many Jewish followers in addition to his apostles, but earlier in the gospel of John, the Jews who are not following Jesus, asked him for the plain truth. The answer he gives them will bring about a pivotal shift in the story of his ministry. 

John 10:22-24 (ESV) -- At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the [Messiah], tell us plainly.”

Jesus gives them as plain and truthful of an as answer possible. He says, 

John 10:27-30 (ESV) -- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will 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.”

Verse 30, "I and the Father are one,” is for all intents & purposes is Deuteronomy 6:4, the first verse of the Hebrew prayer called the "Shema."

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Jesus’s response is enough for the Jews to hear that Jesus is saying that he is "deity." To those "who do not understand," Jesus has spoken blasphemy -- a crime punishable by death. 

TIS THE SEASON

It isn't Christmas yet. The holiday we are in is Hanukkah. Today is the 4th day of Hanukkah.

When we light the Hanukkah 🕎 menorah, the first candle we light, which is used to light the other 8 candles during the celebration Hanukkah (Dedication) is called the Shamash, which means "helper." Some refer to it as the "attendant" or "servant" candle because the Shamash remains available to re-light any of the menorah candles. 

The Shamash is a distinct, often higher, separate candle. The Shamash candle isn't given a number, but if it was it would be the 9th candle. 9 is a number in Hebrew that is associated with truth. 

Pause and reflect on the word "truth" as we celebrate Hanukkah. 

Shema and Shamash

The word "Shema" (Hear) derives from the Semitic root שמע, denoting auditory perception and obedience (as in "Hear, O Israel"). Above is Deuteronomy 6.4 as written in ancient Hebrew scrolls. Hebrew reads right to left. (We load the Hanukkah menorah candles from right to left.) So the far right Hebrew word is "Shema." Notice the last letter, which looks like a "y" is larger. That is the letter "Ayin," which means "Eye(s)." Therefore, the word for "hear" also emphasizes "eyes." 

Now I want to call your attention, your eyes, to the the last word. The word on the far left. It is the Hebrew word "Echad," which is written in English as "One," but means "a complex unity of one." In the word "Echad" you can see that the last letter is also larger than the others. That letter is the letter "Dalet." A dalet IS a "door." It is also the number 4. (This is the 4th day of Hanukkah.) 

The word Shamash (the center candle of the lampstand) stems from the Hebrew word שמש, which is linked to service or ministry. That is why the "Helper" candle is also called the "Servant" candle. 

BE THE LIGHT

When we look around the world it is easy to be consumed by the darkness in the world. On Hanukkah the light drives away the darkness. Rabbis tell us just as the light of the shamash spreads to other candles and quickly illuminates the night, we must also be the light that illuminate the darkness in the world.

Remember, this holiday season, that we are supposed to be like the Shamash. 

Chag Hanukkah Sameach...Happy Hanukkah!

A WORLD IN NEED OF PRAYER

Tefillin

I wonder if the world is truly that much worse off today, or does the access to information make it seem that way. If one could choose to go back in time to any period or place, I think I would choose to stay where I am now. 

By the same token, there are always plenty of reasons to pray. People pray for healing, relief, forgiveness, courage, strength or wisdom. Their are prays of gratitude and positive outcomes. Do you even really need a good reason to pray?

With Hebrew we find meaning in the study of a word. The main Hebrew word for prayer -- Tefillah (תְּפִלָּה), means to judge oneself or introspect, connecting the soul to God, encompassing praise, thanks, and requests.

Dress For Success

For many Jews there is an association between prayer and prayer clothing: the Kippah, Tallit and Tefillin. Going to temple to pray meant grabbing one's tallit bag, such as the one in this 

picture, that contains those items inside.

 In Hebrew–Jewish practice, clothing and prayer are tightly linked, both halakhically and symbolically.

The Torah commands visible markers on garments—tzitzit on four-cornered clothing—as a constant reminder of God’s commandments, which later develops into the tallit (prayer shawl) worn during formal prayer. This makes the act of “dressing for prayer” itself a mitzvah that frames the mind toward obedience and remembrance. Priestly garments in the Torah are likewise “for glory and for beauty,” signaling that clothing can sanctify the body’s presence before God. Tefillin bound on arm and head, embodies the call to love God with heart, soul, and strength—thought and action—during prayer. So in a Hebrew–Judaism sense, clothing functions as an exterior form of inward intention (kavvanah). Clothing helps the worshiper “put on” a prayerful identity, aligning outward appearance with inward intention. This carried over into Catholic ceremony. 

There is another Hebrew word which also means prayer. It is palal (פָּלַל). The root for palal (פָּלַל) is pal (פָּל) which is compromised of a פָּ (Pe) which is a mouth (80) and a ל (Lamed) which is a Shepherd's staff (30). 80+30=110. 

The letter Pe is a mouth

Both Joseph (Genesis 50:22) and Joshua (Joùshua 24:29) lived to be 110, a sign of divine favor and a full, righteous life. 

As a verb, the root means to judge, to evaluate oneself, or to intercede. It is often used in its reflexive form lehitpalel (לְהִתְפַּלֵּל), which implies a deeper sense of self-judgment, reflection, or "falling before" authority to plead a case. 

An example of prayer as an appeal of intercession would be Moses when he prayed for Israel in Deuteronomy 9:26 -- "And I prayed (וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣) to the Lord and said, "O Lord God, do not destroy Your people and Your inheritance, which You have redeemed in Your greatness, and which You have brought out of Egypt with mighty hand."

While tefillah (תְּפִלָּה) is the more common noun for prayer, palal (פָּלַל) emphasizes the action of petitioning or interceding, suggesting a spiritual accounting and a plea to a higher power, akin to falling to one's knees before a judge.

In the Reflexive Sense/form (hitpa'el) turns the meaning of prayer to evaluate one's spiritual state before God. For example Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:10 "She was deeply distressed and prayed (וַתִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל) to the Lord and wept bitterly."

Crazy Talk

It seems so crazy to think the Creator of

universe would listen us, let alone respond to our prayers. But, what if the creator designed the very fabric of the universe to do so?

If we begin with the premise that the Creator designed the universe not as a static system, but as a living medium of relation, then prayer might not be an interruption of natural law, but a function built into its structure. In that view, consciousness — and especially intentional consciousness like prayer — could resonate with the fabric of reality much like sound waves moving through air. Some religious and philosophical traditions have hinted at this.

In Judaism and Kabbalah, creation is sustained at every moment by divine speech — the letters and names of God form reality itself. Prayer, then, is a kind of “tuning” of human speech to the divine frequencies sustaining existence. In Christianity, the Logos (Word) that creates the universe is also incarnate — meaning divine communication and human communion are built into reality from the beginning.

Modern physics has a parallel to this thinking. Some speculate that consciousness interacts with the quantum field, suggesting a participatory universe — one responsive to observation, intention, and awareness. 

This thinking reframes prayer from a request sent upward to an interaction already embedded within the structure of being. It’s not that the universe occasionally “listens,” but that it is, by design, a listening universe.

Tuning In Through Prayer

Prayer, the process of spiritual introspection, aligns oneself with the Divine Plan, and acknowledges our dependence on the Creator. 

Psalm 37:4 promises that delighting in God shapes our desires to align with His plan. Hillel the Elder (Avot 2:4) teaches: "Make His will your will, so that He will make your will His will."

Alignment emphasizes transformation of the self—through introspection. Prayer reshapes human will to conform to God's preexisting purposes, as in Hillel's "Make His will your will" or Jesus' Gethsemane prayer. 

Intercession, by contrast, assumes a transactional dynamic: humans "intercede" to sway divine action, implying God's will needs human prompting, like pleading for mercy or miracles (e.g., Abraham interceding for Sodom in Genesis 18).

Praying Can Feel Intimating. 

Praying can feel intimidating because it confronts the deepest truth: a finite, fragile human trying to address the Infinite, Holy Creator. That sense of “Who am I to speak?” is actually very theologically honest.

Prayer exposes our vulnerability: hopes, fears, guilt, doubt. All is laid bare before One who knows everything already (Psalm 139:1–4). Prayer presses the question of worthiness: standing before perfect holiness highlights human smallness and sin (Isaiah 6:5).  

Prayer is ultimately about relationship, not formula. It is more than just reciting words. It is daring to believe the Creator is personally attentive and responsive (Psalm 34:15).

How Scripture Reframes Fear

We are told to "fear God," yet God invites us to “Call upon Me in the day of trouble” (Psalm 50:15). In times of danger, rather than fearing God, we run to God for shelter and prorection. David models this in Psalms: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (46:1). The faithful "take refuge" (chasah) under divine wings (91:4) transforming intimidation into security. This portrays God as machseh (shelter), inviting flight to Him amid storms, not away.

Think Of It This Way

Instead of “I must find the right words to reach God,” think “God has already given me permission to speak.” The Hebrew letters in Pal are a mouth (פָּ Pe) and a Shepherd's staff (ל Lamed), side-by-side. Read right to left, the mouth is speaking to the Shepherd.  To me, it appears that the letters (פָּל) are traveling together. 

Praying Aligns Us with God's Will 

Scripture presents prayer as God's own invitation and command, making the act of praying a direct fulfillment of divine desire. 

The bible frames prayer not as human presumption, but as response to God's expressed will: "Call to me and I will answer you" (Jeremiah 33:3), and Jesus teaches persistence in asking because "your Father knows what you need before you ask" (Matthew 6:8, 7:7-11). Prayer has a relational purpose from creation.  

Alignment Through Obedience

Commanded prayer—such as "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) or the daily tefillah in Jewish tradition—obeys the divine order, subordinating our will to His by participating in the rhythm He designed. Thus, every honest prayer, however faltering, enacts alignment by honoring God's call to relate.

Personally Speaking

For me, writing my blog posts is one way I pray. I like to be in a dark room without any sound. When I experience my deepest thoughts, I am making a connection to a source outside of me, that is inside of me. There are pauses when I wait for my muse to respond. Silence and pauses become sacred listening spaces. Jewish mystics like the Baal Shem Tov described Jewish meditative prayer (Hitbodedut הִתְבּוֹדְדוּת) as solitary spoken or written outpouring in quiet isolation. When communion is sensed, the lines between self and Source are blurred. The dark, silent room strips distractions, fostering that "outside yet inside" connection that helps the "still small voice" be heard (1 Kings 19:12). 

The World Needs Prayer

I gave this post its title. The world needs prayer because we need prayer. Otherwise, a darkness comes over the world. When light diminishes, the result is increasing darkness. The darkness in this world hates the Light. The darkness is an evil that comes to rob, kill and destroy.  We must not allow it to do so. We need to name it. We need to call it out. We need to increase the Light and drive that evil back into the cave where it belongs. Prayer is one of the strongest weapons we have to do so. 

In King David's first Psalm he wrote, "וּבְתוֹרָתוֹ יֶהְגֶּה יוֹמָם וָלָיְלָה" – "and in His Torah he meditates day and night." When life is good we pray. When life is hard we pray. Like I said at the start, there are always plenty of reasons to pray. We don't even need reasons. 

Increase the Light. Happy Hanukkah 🕎

Lighting the County Menorah for day #2.

RHET-O-RIC: EXAMINE YOUR HEART

The great philosopher Aristotle

I promise you that this post has to do with Hanukkah. Please indulge me as I take the long way to get there ...

The purpose of a rhetorical question or statement is to make a point by provoking thought, without expecting a direct answer, instead guiding the audience to a conclusion through deeper reflection.

This Morning I Was Provoked

This morning a dear friend sent me kind words concerning events in Australia. Of course I'm referring to the "Hanukkah massacre" on Bondi Beach in Australia. I replied to him saying, "Thank you for such a kind expression. "Your heart is always in the right place. It is so strange to be in this season of joy, while at the same time the world is attacking Jews for being Jews -- Lighting a Menorah." 

Right after the words left my fingertips, I meditated on the expression I had just used and what it means to "have a heart in the right place." 

Feeling lazy, I asked "Perplexity AI," to explore the expression "heart in the right place." Here is its reply: 

The expression “heart in the right place” is an English idiom that describes sincere inner motives, even when outward actions are clumsy or imperfect. It focuses more on intention than on competence or success.

Basic meaning: To say someone’s “heart is in the right place” means that the person genuinely means well and has good intentions, even if what they say or do is awkward, misguided, or not very effective. It usually carries a mildly corrective tone: the speaker recognizes flaws but wants to affirm the person’s fundamental kindness or moral orientation.

Moral and emotional nuance: The idiom draws on the symbolic association of the “heart” with compassion, love, and sincerity rather than anatomy. In practice, it is often used when someone’s behavior is strict, blunt, or socially inept, yet they are still considered kind, sympathetic, or caring at a deeper level. This allows a speaker to acknowledge problems in method while protecting the person’s character from harsh moral judgment.

Use in everyday language: In everyday conversation, the phrase appears in contexts where the outcome is disappointing or the form is off, but the underlying aim is good. Examples include comments about strict teachers, gruff relatives, or poorly chosen gifts that nonetheless sprang from generosity. It can also be extended to institutions or creative works, suggesting that a project or film is flawed but ethically or emotionally commendable in what it tries to do.

Origin and development: The precise historical origin of the idiom is unclear, but it fits into a broader tradition of heart-metaphors in English, such as “heart of gold,” “wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve,” and “take something to heart.” Over time, “heart in the right place” came to emphasize judging people by their core intentions rather than by polished performance, aligning the “right place” with moral rectitude or rightly ordered affections.

Ethical and spiritual dimension: Because the expression foregrounds inner disposition, it easily lends itself to ethical and spiritual reflection. Religious writers sometimes use it to ask whether a person’s deepest loyalties and desires are properly oriented—toward God, goodness, or neighborly love—rather than toward self-interest, even if the person’s practical judgment is immature or inconsistent. In this sense, having one’s heart “in the right place” becomes less about social niceness and more about the direction of the will and the fundamental posture of the self.

I followed up with this rhetorical statement to Perplexity: "So a heart in the right place is a heart oriented toward loving their fellow" to which Perplexity responded:

Yes, the idiom "heart in the right place" fundamentally points to a disposition oriented toward goodwill, compassion, and care for others, including loving one's fellow.

Core Orientation: This expression highlights an inner alignment where a person's deepest intentions prioritize kindness and empathy over self-interest. It implies the "heart"—as the biblical and cultural seat of emotion and will—is rightly directed toward benevolent actions, even if execution falters.

Biblical Resonance: In scriptural terms, this echoes commands like Leviticus 19:18 ("love your neighbor as yourself") and parallels New Testament expansions in passages such as Matthew 22:39, where love for fellow humans flows from a heart attuned to divine priorities. The "right place" suggests moral rectitude, with affections ordered toward communal good rather than isolation or malice.

Theological Implications:  Theologically, a heart "in the right place" reflects covenantal loyalty and agape love, judging character by motivational root rather than outward polish. Religious discourse often probes this: Is the heart's compass fixed on neighborly love, as in the Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:25-37), amid human imperfection?

To wrap up my conversation with Perplexity, I finished with a conclusion phrased as a rhetorical question: "Is this why we need to examine our heart?"

Yes, examining the heart is essential in biblical teaching because it reveals whether one's deepest affections and intentions—such as love for fellow humans—are truly aligned with God's will, given the heart's inherent deceitfulness.

Biblical Imperative: Scripture repeatedly calls for heart examination to uncover hidden sins, wrong motives, or misdirected loves, as in Psalm 139:23-24, where the psalmist invites God to search for offensive ways and lead toward righteousness. Jeremiah 17:9 warns that the heart is "deceitful above all things," prone to self-deception, so only divine scrutiny ensures proper orientation toward neighborly love and covenant loyalty.

Practical Reasons: Self-examination combats denial, exposes embraced lies, and fosters repentance, allowing God's Word to convict, correct, and renew the inner self for spiritual growth. It confirms faith's vitality (2 Corinthians 13:5) and guards against reactions revealing unhealed motives, ensuring the heart's compass points to agape love amid human frailty.

Theological Depth: Ultimately, this practice acknowledges human sinfulness while relying on God's healing as the Great Physician, transforming a heart "in the right place" from good intentions to obedient fruitfulness in loving God and neighbor.

Tools Are Only As Capable as the Craftsman's Hands

One reason I use Perplexity is that it provides citations (sources) for the responses it gives the user.  

If I wasn't being lazy, I could have done the research the old fashioned way.  On the other hand, I contend that in the new world, the future belongs to those who ask the best questions. Curiosity and inquiry are vital for progress, especially in the AI era, with focus shifting from just having answers to knowing how to seek them, challenge norms, solve problems creatively, and drive innovation by asking insightful questions. 

Those who question the status quo and explore possibilities, rather than accepting things as they are, are the ones who will adapt, lead, and build a better future. 

 "In the age of AI, we’ll start valuing different types of people – not just those with the right answers, but those who know how to ask the right questions." 
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI

I would add, that the future of the world depends on people having "their heart in the right place." 

The Connection To Hanukkah

The philosophical thinker most famous for developing a systematic theory of rhetoric is Aristotle. Aristotle's most famous student was Alexander the Great. There is perhaps no person more responsible for the holiday of Hanukkah than Alexander the Great. 

My family tie...

My wife and I chose to name our son "Alexander." Mary did so because she liked the character "Alex" on the hit TV show at that time, Family Ties. 

In that hit TV sitcom, Michael J. Fox played a character named "Alex" who portrayed an ambitious, Reagan-era Young Republican, Alex P. Keaton, whose conservative views clashed with his liberal parents. The name worked for me! 

There was greater reason I went with Alex. I

associated the name with Alexander the Great.  It inspired me to think about what I wanted our son to grow up to be.  By the way, our Alexander was born on the Jewish high holy day of Yom Kippur, which also happens to be the day Jews read the Book of Jonah. 

Conclusion

Today, while the world is trying to explain and deal with the massacre on a beach thousands of miles away, I believe it is important to have our heart in the right place. 

Chag Hanukkah Sameach...Happy Hanukkah! 

HANUKKAH PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Whether you light a Hanukkah menorah or not, kèep in mind this Sunday evening, the 25th, of Kislev, the beginning of Hanukkah, that the Maccabees lit the 7 branch temple menorah. 

The one unsealed bottle of the very special oil which should have lasted one night, lasted long enough for the worshipers to celebrate Sukkot and Simchat Torah. That's a total of eight nights. Thus the eight nights & days of Hanukkah and special menorah with 8 branches.

Exodus 25:37 You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it.

Revelation 4:5 -- And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

While the book of Revelation never names Hanukkah, Revelation is a Danielic reinterpretation of the Antiochus/Hanukkah crisis as a prototype of end‑time oppression. Daniel's prophecy and Revelation, adopts the Temple, the lampstand, and desecration and restoration imagery deeply associated with the Hanukkah story. Daniel's vision and prophecy predate Hanukkah by about 350 years! 

Revelation presents the final victory of God and the Lamb as a cosmic, ultimate “dedication” and “Festival of Lights” in which the entire creation becomes the dwelling place of God and radiates his glory.

History Keeps on Repeating

Judaism's history is filled with times our enemies sought to wipe us out. Yet, each time by some devine way we were saved. Jews say on Passover the following:

Vehi She’amda Prayer - "And this (Hashem’s blessings and the Torah) is what kept our fathers and what keeps us surviving. For, not only one arose and tried to destroy us, rather in every generation they try to destroy us, and Hashem saves us from their hands."

An evil leader from the Egyptians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans all tried and failed. The stories of their attempts make up the Hebrew bible. Hanukkah, with the evil Antiochus Epiphanes, is a documented example of the miraculous victory of the Maccabees including a tremendous battle in which Judas Maccabeus scores an incredible victory. Judas, "the Hammer" gives all the glory to God. Yet, the Jewish message of Hanukkah doesn't focus on the war. It focuses on the very special oil that lasted eight nights. What does this have to do with Jesus? 

Messiah means "anointed one." Consider the very special sealed jar of the high priests oil, reserved to anoint kings and priests for consecration and honor, that was found and used to light the temple menorah in the story of Hanukkah.  

In John 12:1-8 Mary anointed Jesus with "nard," a form of this oil, six days before the Passover, while Jesus and the apostles are having dinner. 

There is so much that can be said about the connection between the temple menorah, the Hanukkah menorah and Jesus. The parallels in the scriptures and the symbolism are quite amazing. I have written several blog posts about this, the most recent being The Menorah Psalm.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the point I want to conclude with is that Christians should be celebrating the defeat of Antiochus  and Hanukkah as well. In addition, Jews and Christians should take to heart the message Jesus gave at the time of the Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah, when He was at the temple in Jerusalem. Furthermore, Jews and Christians should rejoice that the Devine watches over His people. Mark the message Jesus gives in John 10:22-23 -- At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.

Jesus says "plainly" John 10:27-28 -- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 

Hanukkah has an end-times reassuring message for anyone who has ears to hear and eyes to see. One man who did was David. 

Psalm 27:1-4

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me
    to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
    it is they who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
    yet[b] I will be confident.
One thing have I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
    and to inquire[c] in his temple.

Amen

Fantastic teaching about Hanukkah! Advance to 40 min. into the video to get to the actual sermon. 

https://www.youtube.com/live/lLedB6D-mS8?si=6kJuj6czKuFmp5iJ