THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 4:1-5
“Mordecai… tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.” (Esther 4:1)
Much has been made of the shortest verse in the bible: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35).
In those two words, we see the heart of the whole bible.
Somehow, the God in Whose image we are made, is also moved by emotion.
Ever since we brought sin and death in the world, God has been deeply troubled (Genesis 6:6).
Humans also experience this deep sorrow, seen and heard through the ages.
Mordecai’s sorrow is just one expression of this global lament.
Esther wants to know “what was troubling Mordecai and why?” (Esther 4:5)
The real question is why we are not MORE troubled by all that is wrong.
Of course we would be troubled if our family was facing this kind of genocide.
But how about being troubled by the many who still suffer, part of our human family.
Grieving for the millions of children being abused, raped, forced in to slave labor?
Sorrow for victims of crime, injustice, persecution, poverty, addiction, racial oppression?
Like Esther, we can hide in our palaces, totally ignorant about what is going on.
Though its harder to claim ignorance, given the internet and news available.
I hear the Spirit of Jesus challenging me to step out of my ivory tower.
As Jesus joined us in our misery to help us, He sends us out to join with others.
We can’t do anything ourselves, but God can do things through us!
The victory of Jesus and the power of the Spirit are our confidence.
But we need to be with those who weep in order to stand with them against it.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I find sadness and misery overwhelming. The ‘fixer’ in me wants to fix it all, and when I can’t, I run. Help me to follow You in being with those who mourn, trusting Your Spirit to do through my weakness what only He can do.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observations/Application
What was written was written and it could not be changed. Mordecai mourned not just himself but also for the people. He however could not go to the king – no bad news in the palace – only good news – making merry even when there was great wailing among the people.
Even Esther did not understand at first when she sent clothes for Mordecai.
Not reading the situation or not wanting to hear the bad news – are we any different. We hear and see it daily and have become hard hearted. We/I too need to speak louder with the wrongs of the world today, people forced to leave homes, droughts, famines and more.
Lord help me to be an instrument of Your peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.