THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 8:15-17
“Many people became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.” (Esther 8:17)
It seems people were converting to Judaism out of fear of the Jews.
It might be better to say that it was awe and respect, and not fear for their lives.
Like Haman’s friends, they sensed the power of God behind the Jews (Esther 6:13).
They couldn’t explain this great reversal, apart from their faith in the one God.
This kind of response had happened before (Joshua 2:11, Daniel 6:25-27).
Isaiah predicts a day when non-Jews will come to the Jews, “They will bow down before you and plead with you, saying, ‘Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god.'” (Isaiah 45:14)
Paul describes this same response at a gathering of Jesus-followers.
“But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, ‘God is really among you!'” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25)
It was this sense of God among Jesus’ followers that led to the rapid growth of the early church.
People were awed by the faith, hope and love of Jesus’ followers.
God wants everyone to know and experience the joy and hope that He has to offer.
It was God’s work among the Jews that awed and inspired non-Jews.
It is God’s work among us that will awe and inspire non-believers.
Our job is not to convert people, just let them see the joy and hope in us… they will want it.
We are to make Jesus attractive to the world by how He impacts our lives (Titus 2:10).
Does what people see in me as a Jesus follower compel them to say, ‘I want to know Jesus more’?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, sadly many Christians do not present life in You as something to be desired. Are joy and hope, love and peace, what people experience through me?