SCRIPTURE: Esther 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live. [Esther 3:8]
In this passage, it is because of how Mordecai (and the Jews) live that they are hated.
Their keep themselves separate, their laws are different, they refuse to obey the king.
Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. [Matthew 24:9]
Jesus points out that it is because people follow Him (i.e. live like Him, obey Him) that they are hated.
That we are believers is not the problem for others, but that we actually try to live out of those beliefs.
We separate ourselves from immoral behaviour, we live according to Jesus’ law of love.
Guaranteed, if we actually lived out Jesus’ teachings, we would face some persecution – from mockery to rejection, possible job loss or loss of friends.
Today’s story shows how God’s people have always had a tough time living out God’s will in this world.
It is a recurring theme throughout history, one that Jesus also experiences and says His followers will experience.
But the thing that stands out for me is that the persecution is tied to how we live – the choices we make, the values we hold, the things we do and the things we don’t do.
Believing itself is not the problem, its “beliving” what we believe.
I know, “beliving” is not a word, but maybe it should be!
Think about it, if I was as generous as Christ calls me to be, it might cause tension within my family.
If I forgive someone that someone else refuses to forgive, that other person may be angry at me too.
If I refuse to engage in some immoral practice, it may cause my friends to mock or reject me.
If I stand up for someone that others are bullying, I might get bullied too!
Its not all bad; if I do these things there will be people that are impacted and blessed by what I do (or refuse to do).
I would guess that my whole world would be turned upside down.
And isn’t this what’s supposed to happen for following Jesus?
Shouldn’t my decision to believe and “belive” have repercussions that other people notice?
Shouldn’t following Jesus turn my life upside down… or better, right side up?
This is food for thought today – is my decision to follow Jesus making things different for me, for how I live?
And is it affecting how other people respond to me – for good and for bad?
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to belive, not just believe. Help me to follow You so that people around me will be impacted by it. And may they be impacted in a good way, not a bad!
Some years ago I remember hearing a sermon(not you Norm)about if we weren’t suffering we were not really living for Jesus. Suffering was the proof. I remember I got quite angry about it, I felt judged and that I was being told I did not measure up. At the time I was struggling but walking with God as best I could.
Perhaps I would hear with different ears today?
i will say that the more I determine to follow Jesus the more it does turn my life upside down. I am always doing and saying things that even most other believers don’t do or understand. I also give up things which I suppose is a form of suffering but don’t get me wrong, I am still ofton selfish too….
What would it look like if I was totally 100% devoted to Jesus?
Becasue I say I am but I’m not…
Help me Lord, please,change me, I want to be 100% devoted to You, at least Ithink I do….
Worship is more about we do than what we say.
All of our life is worship.
Worship the King!
Our head and our heart and our hands all need to be in sync – but all too often it is not. Mordecai was in tune. I need to be in tune. I need to live God’s way. Worship demands sacrifice as we also see with Mordecai. God’s way need to be lived out each day.
Worship is living for Christ.
Worship is believing put into living.
Worship is ‘beliving.’
I like that word – beliving. That’s what I must do today – putting into my living what I believe. Living for Jesus.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Refrain
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
Refrain