Thursday, 14 December 2017

Latkes and oil

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Did I ever tell you why we eat potato latkes on Chanukah? The short answer is because they are fried in oil and the miracle of Chanukah was the burning of the oil (that lights the menorah in the Temple) which was only enough for one day, but lasted for eight days while more was refined.

Speaking of being refined: 1 Corinthians 3:13 (says our) work will become clear "For the Day will show it, because it is to be revealed by fire; and the fire itself will test each one's work - what sort it is." This can be painful unless we have died to self. Going through the fire hurts unless you're already dead.

Paul writes, Galatians 2:20 "and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me. And the life I now live in the body, I live by trusting in Ben-Elohim - who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Refined means to add value; to sift out the unvaluable or less valuable for what is pure and more concentrated of high value. So our value comes, not from what we do (works) but from Who He is and who we are in Him. Hebrews 10:14 "For by one offering He has perfected forever those being made holy."

The original Chanukah lights required refined (and sanctified) oil. So too God we need to be refined (and sanctified) in order to let our light shine.