The Maccabees faced daunting odds. It would take a miracle, but something had to be done to protect the Jewish people and regain the Temple. The Seleucid army had the backing of Antiochus, but God was on the Maccabees’ side. The small group of revolutionaries fought against the soldiers and, by God’s grace and power, took back the Temple. God gave them victory.
God has given us a victory today that we could not attain without Him. Jesus, through His death and resurrection, won the victory over sin and death for us. He bought our freedom and gave us new life – abundant and eternal life. Through this miraculous gift, we can experience victory in our lives as we face the sometimes-daunting challenges and sorrows that come our way.
On this third night of Chanukah, we consider Jesus’ triumph over this world on our behalf and thank Him for loving us so much to achieve the victory for us.
Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings
Place three candles in the Chanukah lampstand tonight, setting them in the holders from right to left. As you light the Shamash, 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, or Servant Candle, 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.
Scripture Readings
“But thanks be to God, who keeps giving us the victory through our Lord Yeshua Messiah!” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
“But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for securing for us the ultimate victory of eternal life with You. Thank You, Father, that You are with us always and help us fight the everyday battles we face here on Earth. May we learn to receive comfort and hope from You more each day as we learn to trust You more completely with all that matters to us.
