The four candelabras were seventy-five feet tall in the Court of Women on the Temple Mount. During the Feast of the Tabernacles, the four menorahs were lit and reminded the people of the pillar of fire by night that the LORD used to guide His people in the wilderness. During the Illumination of the Temple Ceremony, the light gleamed all night for the entire city of Jerusalem. “This festival was a reminder that God had promised to send a light, the Light, to a sin-darkened world.” ( http://jewishroots.net/library/holiday-articles/illumination-of -the-temple) And according to John 8:12 Jesus fulfilled that promise.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,’I am
the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (NIV)
The menorahs lit Jerusalem; however Jesus is the light of the world. Pastor Clay Ford shared
his testimony of how the Light came into his life.
When he was a college student, he partied, joined a fraternity, and was hostile and rebellious to the LORD. Though he was brought up in a religious home, he would curse his mom and slam the phone down when his mother reminded him that “Jesus loves you.” When she wrote a letter, he would read her message that Jesus loved him, and he would tear the letter up and throw it away before leaving the post office.
Several events occurred that affected Pastor Clay. One day his mother asked him,”If Jesus was who he said he was, would you believe Him and follow Him?“ He responded affirmatively, and she said it would happen. Another time. Pastor Clay went to a party: had a girl on each arm and a drink in his hand. When the band stopped, an all-American football player shared about the importance of Jesus in his life. Pastor Clay did not know that Campus Crusade sponsored dances. Though the speaker had a humble confidence, Pastor Clay mocked him.
Eventually he began analyzing who Jesus was:
-Was Jesus crazy? No, he knew that Jesus was not crazy.
-Was Jesus a liar? No! Jesus loved people, and He used his influence for good.
Finally in his dorm room as he was reading a book, Pastor Clay knew he had to decide for
Jesus as master of his life or not. That day Pastor Clay decided to follow Jesus after which he
felt the presence of God come on him.
As a Christ follower, he decided to ask the LORD about his future career. During a long walk, he
asked, “Should I be a psychologist?”
“No.”
“Should I attend law school?”
‘No”
“Should I become a minister?” Pastor Clay felt that God smiled on him. Though his fraternity
brothers teased him, Pastor Clay did not look back.
In John 14:6 Jesus said,”I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.” (NIV) Jesus is the embodiment of truth. In Him is no darkness.
Jesus was authentic; He knew who he was. In other words, He was the same person in private
and in public. He identified with the lost, the losers, the marginalized, the despised, and He
uplifted the women and children. Jesus could do anything. He healed the lepers; He calmed the stormy seas with a word. He set the captives free. He tore the curtain to the Holy of Holies through His crucifixion and death. He defeated death, and the tomb is empty. We have a risen Savior and Lord. Hallelujah!
Pastor Clay’s life was radically transformed once he encountered and chose Jesus as his
Savior. He never looked back. May we do the same and be salt and light in this sin-sick world.
Written by Annette Linthicum