On this sixth night of Chanukah, we reflect on the Feast of Dedication and the Temple’s purification, we give thanks for our spiritual purification through Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).
Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings
Place six candles in the chanukiah tonight, setting them in the holders from right to left. As you light the Shamash, or Servant Candle, recite the Messianic Jewish Chanukah blessings:
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and has given us Yeshua the Messiah, the Light of the World.
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.
Candle Lighting
Using the Shamash, light the Chanukah candles in the opposite direction from which you placed them in the holders. Light them from left to right. Return the Shamash to its place. Let the candles go out on their own. They should burn for a least half an hour.
Devotion
God’s instructions for building the Temple had included meticulous detail and beauty. The Temple was His holy dwelling place; it had to be pure. Its desecration at the hands of Antiochus’ regime was unbearable for God’s people. When they regained the Temple, they wanted to cleanse it and rededicate it as soon as possible. God performed the miracle of the oil that enable the light to burn as they went about this most holy task.
God works miracles in our hearts through the gift of new life and the impartation of the Holy Spirit. He has given us the righteousness of Messiah and works to transform our lives into His image. As God looks upon us, He sees the purity of Jesus’ life and blood, counting our faith in Him as righteousness even as He works to purify us into His likeness day by day.
From the Lord’s Word
“The Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness’ – and he was called God’s friend” (James 2:23, see also Genesis 15:6 and Galatians 3:6).
“He made the One who knew no sin to become a sin offering on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
“This Son is the radiance of His glory and the imprint of His being, upholding all things by His powerful word. When He had made purification for our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3).
“For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son …” (Romans 8:29).
“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
For Reflection and Discussion
- The Maccabees didn’t want to wait even a week to purify and rededicate the Temple. How eager are you to let God do His work of purification in you?
- What’s the most dramatic transformation story you know of concerning someone’s life before knowing Jesus and after?
- Compare your life before you came to faith in Messiah to now; how has God changed you?
On this sixth night of Chanukah, we reflect on God’s grace toward us and His power in us to purify us into the likeness of Yeshua (Jesus).
Prayer
Father, Your purity surpasses all that we can imagine. Without Jesus, we couldn’t even come near to You. But through His sacrifice, You receive us and count us as pure. Even so, You faithfully work in us to help us live more purely each day. May we do our parts by abiding in Your presence, saturating our lives with Your Word, living by faith, and walking by the Spirit.
