The Hidden Messiah
The Hidden Messiah: Seeing Beyond the Surface
The winter season brings with it a convergence of questions, traditions, and spiritual opportunities. As lights flicker in windows and families gather, we find ourselves at a crossroads of history, tradition, and faith. But beneath the surface of our celebrations lies a deeper question that demands our attention: Are we asking the right questions?
The Problem Behind the Problem
In counseling, there's a well-known principle: the presenting issue is rarely the core issue. What appears to be the problem is often just a symptom of something deeper. A massage therapist once discovered that lower back pain wasn't actually a lower back problem at all—it was tension in the upper back manifesting elsewhere. The apostle Paul understood this spiritual principle when he wrote that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces.
This principle applies to our faith journey as well. We often focus on surface-level questions when the real issues lie much deeper. When we ask whether we should celebrate certain holidays or observe particular traditions, we might be missing the more profound question: What are these moments in history teaching us about God's redemptive plan?
A Battle Against Assimilation
The story of Hanukkah offers a powerful lens through which to view this principle. Yes, there's the well-known legend of the miraculous oil lasting eight days. But dig deeper, and you'll find a story about identity, resistance, and spiritual awakening.
By the second century BCE, the Jewish population had grown apathetic about their identity. Greek culture was alluring, and forced assimilation was eroding their distinctiveness. When Antiochus ordered Zeus to be erected in the Temple, banned circumcision, and sacrificed pigs on the altar, it represented the culmination of cultural erosion.
The Maccabean revolt wasn't just about military victory—it was about refusing to disappear into the surrounding culture. From 167 to 160 BCE, this small band fought not just for political independence, but for the right to remain who God had called them to be. When they recaptured and cleansed the Temple, dedicating it on the 25th of Kislev in 164 BCE, they were declaring: "Enough is enough."
This spiritual resurgence prepared the world for something unprecedented—the entrance of the incarnate God.
The Preparation for Messiah
The victory of the Maccabees sparked a renewal of holiness and righteous living among the Jewish people. Not everyone got it right—the Sadducees sought power through Roman government connections, while the Zealots pursued violent revolution. But among the faithful, there emerged a remnant who were "righteous and waiting."
When we read about Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna in the Gospel accounts, we're seeing the fruit of this spiritual preparation. These were people who hadn't assimilated, who kept their eyes fixed on God's promises, who recognized the Messiah when He came.
The timeline from the Maccabean revolt to the birth of Yeshua is remarkably short. God was orchestrating history, using even periods of conflict and struggle to prepare hearts for revelation.
The Hidden King
When Yeshua walked the earth, His identity was simultaneously revealed and concealed. He performed miracles, forgave sins (something only God could do), and taught with unprecedented authority. Yet even after all this, religious leaders surrounded Him at the Feast of Dedication and demanded: "How long will You hold us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us outright!"
His response was telling: "I told you, but you don't believe! The works I do in My Father's name testify concerning Me."
This echoes the story from the Torah portion where Joseph's brothers didn't recognize him, even though he dropped obvious hints. What seems clear in hindsight is often obscured in the moment. The question isn't whether Yeshua revealed Himself—it's whether people had eyes to see.
Who Do You Say He Is?
The word "Messiah" means "anointed one," typically reserved for kings and those in God's service. When we confess Yeshua as Messiah, we're acknowledging Him as Savior—the One whose death, burial, and resurrection provides redemption through faith.
But there's more. A king is only a king if he has subjects. The question isn't just "Did Yeshua die for your sins?" but "Is He your King?" In the first century, faith meant loyalty. So the deeper question becomes: Where does your loyalty lie?
The sign above the cross declared it plainly: "King of the Jews." This wasn't just a taunt—it was a revelation. Yeshua's identity as a Jewish rabbi, born into a Jewish household, raised in Jewish tradition, teaching in Jewish ways, matters profoundly. It means God's covenant with the Jewish people still stands. It means Israel remains relevant. It means those of us grafted in are connected to something ancient and ongoing.
Enough Is Enough
The Maccabees said "enough is enough" to cultural assimilation. Yeshua said "enough is enough" when He voluntarily laid down His life for us. Now the question comes to us: Will we say "enough is enough" to the forces pulling us away from God?
Each of us is called to be a temple of the Holy Spirit, a light that cannot be hidden. We're called to resist baseless hate and practice baseless love—the unconditional love of Messiah. We're called to make disciples, asking questions that lead to deeper truth rather than making assumptions.
Jerusalem fell and the Temple was destroyed, tradition tells us, because of baseless hatred among the Jewish people. Within the Body of Messiah today, we must do our part to stop such division. None of us has complete understanding—we all see in part. This should humble us and draw us together.
Arise and Shine
This season offers unique opportunities. People are more spiritually open during this time of year, whether through the joy of celebration or the weight of winter darkness. Some need to know there's more to life when God is at the center. All of us need encouragement to persevere, to keep our lives centered and anchored in Yeshua.
The call is clear: Arise and shine. Let your light illuminate the darkness. Help others resist assimilation into worldly patterns. Swing the gate wide and let the Light of Messiah shine like never before.
Our faith is built on the blood of a Jewish rabbi—His death, burial, and resurrection. Understanding His teachings through the lens of His Jewishness opens new depths of meaning. Being attached to His people, seeing them in new light, transforms how we read Scripture and live our faith.
The Hidden Messiah has revealed Himself in these last days. The question is: Do we have eyes to see?
The winter season brings with it a convergence of questions, traditions, and spiritual opportunities. As lights flicker in windows and families gather, we find ourselves at a crossroads of history, tradition, and faith. But beneath the surface of our celebrations lies a deeper question that demands our attention: Are we asking the right questions?
The Problem Behind the Problem
In counseling, there's a well-known principle: the presenting issue is rarely the core issue. What appears to be the problem is often just a symptom of something deeper. A massage therapist once discovered that lower back pain wasn't actually a lower back problem at all—it was tension in the upper back manifesting elsewhere. The apostle Paul understood this spiritual principle when he wrote that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces.
This principle applies to our faith journey as well. We often focus on surface-level questions when the real issues lie much deeper. When we ask whether we should celebrate certain holidays or observe particular traditions, we might be missing the more profound question: What are these moments in history teaching us about God's redemptive plan?
A Battle Against Assimilation
The story of Hanukkah offers a powerful lens through which to view this principle. Yes, there's the well-known legend of the miraculous oil lasting eight days. But dig deeper, and you'll find a story about identity, resistance, and spiritual awakening.
By the second century BCE, the Jewish population had grown apathetic about their identity. Greek culture was alluring, and forced assimilation was eroding their distinctiveness. When Antiochus ordered Zeus to be erected in the Temple, banned circumcision, and sacrificed pigs on the altar, it represented the culmination of cultural erosion.
The Maccabean revolt wasn't just about military victory—it was about refusing to disappear into the surrounding culture. From 167 to 160 BCE, this small band fought not just for political independence, but for the right to remain who God had called them to be. When they recaptured and cleansed the Temple, dedicating it on the 25th of Kislev in 164 BCE, they were declaring: "Enough is enough."
This spiritual resurgence prepared the world for something unprecedented—the entrance of the incarnate God.
The Preparation for Messiah
The victory of the Maccabees sparked a renewal of holiness and righteous living among the Jewish people. Not everyone got it right—the Sadducees sought power through Roman government connections, while the Zealots pursued violent revolution. But among the faithful, there emerged a remnant who were "righteous and waiting."
When we read about Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna in the Gospel accounts, we're seeing the fruit of this spiritual preparation. These were people who hadn't assimilated, who kept their eyes fixed on God's promises, who recognized the Messiah when He came.
The timeline from the Maccabean revolt to the birth of Yeshua is remarkably short. God was orchestrating history, using even periods of conflict and struggle to prepare hearts for revelation.
The Hidden King
When Yeshua walked the earth, His identity was simultaneously revealed and concealed. He performed miracles, forgave sins (something only God could do), and taught with unprecedented authority. Yet even after all this, religious leaders surrounded Him at the Feast of Dedication and demanded: "How long will You hold us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us outright!"
His response was telling: "I told you, but you don't believe! The works I do in My Father's name testify concerning Me."
This echoes the story from the Torah portion where Joseph's brothers didn't recognize him, even though he dropped obvious hints. What seems clear in hindsight is often obscured in the moment. The question isn't whether Yeshua revealed Himself—it's whether people had eyes to see.
Who Do You Say He Is?
The word "Messiah" means "anointed one," typically reserved for kings and those in God's service. When we confess Yeshua as Messiah, we're acknowledging Him as Savior—the One whose death, burial, and resurrection provides redemption through faith.
But there's more. A king is only a king if he has subjects. The question isn't just "Did Yeshua die for your sins?" but "Is He your King?" In the first century, faith meant loyalty. So the deeper question becomes: Where does your loyalty lie?
The sign above the cross declared it plainly: "King of the Jews." This wasn't just a taunt—it was a revelation. Yeshua's identity as a Jewish rabbi, born into a Jewish household, raised in Jewish tradition, teaching in Jewish ways, matters profoundly. It means God's covenant with the Jewish people still stands. It means Israel remains relevant. It means those of us grafted in are connected to something ancient and ongoing.
Enough Is Enough
The Maccabees said "enough is enough" to cultural assimilation. Yeshua said "enough is enough" when He voluntarily laid down His life for us. Now the question comes to us: Will we say "enough is enough" to the forces pulling us away from God?
Each of us is called to be a temple of the Holy Spirit, a light that cannot be hidden. We're called to resist baseless hate and practice baseless love—the unconditional love of Messiah. We're called to make disciples, asking questions that lead to deeper truth rather than making assumptions.
Jerusalem fell and the Temple was destroyed, tradition tells us, because of baseless hatred among the Jewish people. Within the Body of Messiah today, we must do our part to stop such division. None of us has complete understanding—we all see in part. This should humble us and draw us together.
Arise and Shine
This season offers unique opportunities. People are more spiritually open during this time of year, whether through the joy of celebration or the weight of winter darkness. Some need to know there's more to life when God is at the center. All of us need encouragement to persevere, to keep our lives centered and anchored in Yeshua.
The call is clear: Arise and shine. Let your light illuminate the darkness. Help others resist assimilation into worldly patterns. Swing the gate wide and let the Light of Messiah shine like never before.
Our faith is built on the blood of a Jewish rabbi—His death, burial, and resurrection. Understanding His teachings through the lens of His Jewishness opens new depths of meaning. Being attached to His people, seeing them in new light, transforms how we read Scripture and live our faith.
The Hidden Messiah has revealed Himself in these last days. The question is: Do we have eyes to see?
Recent
Discovering Yeshua's Divinity in the Gospel of Mark
January 5th, 2026
The Heavens Torn Open
December 29th, 2025
The Hidden Messiah
December 29th, 2025
The Beginning of Good News
December 29th, 2025
The Ancient Conflict: Understanding the Roots of Antisemitism and God's Unchanging Covenants
December 1st, 2025
Archive
2025
October
Categories
no categories
No Comments