Another Temple tradition that had developed during the Feast of Tabernacles was the Candle Ceremony. God had not commanded it, but the tradition pointed to God as the source of light. On the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the priests constructed three seventy-five-foot-high candles in the court of the Women of the Temple. This is an outer court where all people could come, and it is also the location of the Treasury.
These lights commemorated the glory of God that filled Solomon’s Temple at its dedication. 2 Chronicles 5: 14 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.[1] These giant lights also anticipated a time when God’s glory would return as predicted in Ezekiel 43:1-6.
Jesus’ Surprising Statement as the Lights are Extinguished
Jesus was standing and teaching near the area of the Treasury on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles (John 8:20). After the priests extinguished the candles, Jesus made a surprising statement. John 8: 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”[2]
The Pharisees, listening to this, immediately knew that Jesus had claimed to be the Messiah. They knew the prophecies of Messiah. Isaiah 49: 6 He says,“You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”[3] As 21st-century Christians, we miss this because we do not understand the Feast of Tabernacles and the context in which Jesus made this statement.
Let Tradition Point to Jesus
The Candle Ceremony reminded the people of what God had done for them in the past. Jesus did not condemn this tradition but used it to point to His identity. When Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World,” He was stating a fact in the present tense. God wanted to give them the Light of Life. While there was physical light in the Temple, there was spiritual darkness in the Pharisees’ minds and hearts.
The Jews at the Temple were correct to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles because God had commanded it. But sadly, in their traditions, they missed the Son of God who wanted to give them spiritual light. We must let our traditions always point to Jesus. We may begin a tradition with the best of intentions to honor God. However, if our focus ever drifts away from God, it is time to stop the tradition.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-said-i-am-the-light-of-the-world
[1-3]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.