The Branch of the Lord

OLD TESTAMENT: Zechariah 5-6
POETRY: Psalm 144
NEW TESTAMENT: John 17:6-19

Zechariah 6:12-13(NLT) Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the LORD. 13 Yes, he will build the Temple of the LORD. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.’

Psalms 144:12-13 (NLT) May our sons flourish in their youth
like well-nurtured plants.
May our daughters be like graceful pillars,
carved to beautify a palace.
13 May our barns be filled
with crops of every kind.
May the flocks in our fields multiply by the thousands,
even tens of thousands,

John 17:13-21  (NLT)“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. 20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

This is a wonderful story that we are a part of in the church today.  We are called members of this wonderful church of the body of Christ where God has set us.  We are called out from the world for a purpose and God is building a holy temple for us to be part of where God will dwell.  To be called out from the world is the same as being made holy. When you build a structure out of stone the rocks must be cut or dressed to make them ready to be used in the construction of the structure.  Look at these verses from Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NLT) So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

God has chosen you who were rocks with no shape and dressed you to become part of His holy temple.  We have been separated from the world and given a purpose to be part of this great plan.  We are carefully joined together making us part of each other as well as part of God’s dwelling place.  Yesterday we looked at a different figure of the “Branch” who is Jesus Christ.  This word would be better translated as “shoot” or “tree”.  Israel is called the olive tree of God in the OT.  Jesus is the new olive tree growing from the stump and roots of Jesse.

Jeremiah 11:16 16 I, the LORD, once called them a thriving olive tree, beautiful to see and full of good fruit.

This figure has the same meaning as the dressed stone from Ephesians.  Both of the figures of the dressed stone and the grafted branch give us insight into God’s matchless grace and love for mankind.  God is doing everything for His glory and the glory given to Christ Jesus His son.  We are His masterpiece in Christ, another figure of His love for us.  Live today as a wonderful child of God part of a present and future plan of deliverance for all heaven and earth.

-Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions:

Which figure of speech stands out the most in your mind?

How is God dressing (shaping) you for His service today?

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A Strong Green Olive Tree

OLD TESTAMENT: Zechariah 3-4
POETRY: Psalm 144
NEW TESTAMENT: John 17:1-5

Zechariah 3:6-10 (NKJV) Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying, 7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
‘If you will walk in My ways,
And if you will keep My command,
Then you shall also judge My house,
And likewise have charge of My courts;
I will give you places to walk
Among these who stand here.
8 ‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest,
You and your companions who sit before you,
  For they are a wondrous sign;
For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.
9 For behold, the stone
That I have laid before Joshua:
Upon the stone are seven eyes.
Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’
Says the LORD of hosts,
‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
10 In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts,
‘Everyone will invite his neighbor
Under his vine and under his fig tree.’ ”

Psalms 144:3-4 (NKJV) O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them,
mere mortals that you should think about them?
4 For they are like a breath of air;
their days are like a passing shadow

John 17:1-5 ​(NKJV) After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

The greatest message of the kingdom that we need for ourselves, and that we also need to share with others is this wonderful news about Christ and his life and death.  When we read the Bible histories in both OT and NT we are brought to an understanding of who the Father is and what He desires for mankind.  We get this by opening our hearts to His message that He is sending to us.  The Bible is not an encyclopedia where we look up the answers to our questions alphabetically.  God wants us to have faith and trust in Him and He shows us who He is in all these interactions with people who believe.  Especially we see Him in the life of Christ.  Jesus fulfills the law of God by doing the things and saying the things which truly represent God’s love and grace.  We become involved in a lifetime study of trust and faith.  Every day we should see a larger and greater picture of this love God has for us. We also learn of our inability to earn our own salvation but are dependent on His grace.  As we grow, we should come to  appreciate more and more God’s wonderful plan for mankind. 

About 500 years before Christ is born Zechariah prophecies about a man who is called the “Branch”.  This word is better translated as “shoot” or tree.  The stump of the tree of Israel has been cut off and this tree is no longer what it was.  God in the OT compares Israel to a strong olive tree. 

Jeremiah 11:16(NKJV) The LORD called your name,
Green Olive Tree, Lovely and of Good Fruit.
With the noise of a great tumult
He has kindled fire on it,
And its branches are broken.

Jesus becomes a strong tree shoot that grows from the roots of this tree stump and becomes a new tree of life. In Romans 11 God tells us that we are branches from a wild olive tree grafted into this new tree of Christ.  “Romans 11:24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree”.  The words “wild olive” in the Greek is “Oleaster tree”.  If you have noticed in the Midwest we have a terrible plague of invasive Russian olive or autumn olive trees growing everywhere.  These are from the “oleaster” family of trees.  They are very invasive and have no particular value to anyone.  They have small red berries which the birds eat and spread everywhere, but which are very bitter and have no food value.  They look at first like an olive tree especially from a distance.  They have silvery gray leaves and a shape like an olive tree.  But when you get close you see that it is this tree which everyone wishes to get rid of with no value or fruit.  God takes us Gentiles who have no value and aren’t even the right genus of plants and grafts us onto the wonderful tree of Christ.  We become part of this tree of life which God has decided to make us.

 These are branches grafted onto the roots in the humanity of people (which is why it is called the stump of Jesse instead of the stump of David).  But this is a tree chosen and prospered by God and then made even more diverse with the addition of wild olive tree branches to the tree.  What a wonderful picture of the love God has for us.  When we see ourselves in God’s plan then we are trusting Him with our hearts.  This is the desire that God has for us to be in His wonderful family of faith and love. God is always faithful to keep His Word. We have received a wonderful life today and a future with Him.  Have a great day in fellowship with our big brother Jesus Christ and our Father Yahweh God.

Revelation 19:10 (NLT) Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.”

-Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions:

How do you see yourself in God’s plan?

What ministry does He have for you to do this day?

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God Shows Us His Love and Mercy

12/15/24

OLD TESTAMENT: Zechariah 1-2

POETRY: Psalm 143

NEW TESTAMENT: John 16:17-33

Zechariah 1:16-17(NLT) “‘Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.’ 17 “Say this also: ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own.’”

Psalms 143:7-11(NLT) Come quickly, LORD, and answer me,
for my depression deepens.
Don’t turn away from me,
or I will die.
8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, LORD;
I run to you to hide me.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
on a firm footing.
11 For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life.
Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.

John 16:17-24 (NLT) Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.” 19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

How many times do we think to ourselves “I wish I could ask Jesus about what he said in a passage?”. Here in John 16 Jesus sees that question in the hearts of his disciples without them even asking.  He then answers that question of their hearts. 

I was able to witness the birth of all four of our children who are now in their 30’s and 40’s.  I was a participant in the event, Lamaze called me a coach, but really the events were all focused on the effort it took my wife Sandy to birth the children.  Labor for her started many hours before the actual birth event.  The start of the contractions was usually strong but the effort and pain at the end when the child is birthed became almost overwhelming for her.  Thanks be to God that she is so tough and resilient that all were born without complications and were beautiful children when born.  The intensity of the birth process is still embedded in my mind forever.

Jesus tells the disciples about the events that are going to occur in the near future for all of them.  God has showed Christ by the Old Testament scriptures and by revelation what he will have to endure.  Jesus compares these events to the birth of a child, where the pain and effort are replaced in the end by the joy of the new child and her or his coming into the world.  My wife and I had great joy at the birth of the children when we were able to hold them in our arms and enjoy the blessing of the new child.

Jesus tells the disciples that in the future they will rejoice about the events of the cross.  Jesus sees and knows what’s coming for him, but they do not yet at this time understand.  But he is getting them ready for the future message of hope that will come from the resurrection and the ascension.  This leads to the day of Pentecost and the founding of the church of the body of Christ. 

Zechariah 1:16-17 (NLT)

Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.’ 17 “Say this also: ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own.’”

As we read through Zechariah it will become clear to us that the visions he sees about the building and construction that God shows him are immediately fulfilled in the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. The books of Nehemiah and Ezra give us the history of this rebuilding.  But the really big picture is of the future building of the millennial kingdom and the city of Jerusalem by the Messiah.  As we read through Zechariah try to look at the immediate fulfilling of his prophecies, but more importantly look at how they fit together at the end of the Tribulation and the establishment of the Millennial kingdom.  The judgement of wrath which judges Israel and Judah are turned to the great blessings of all the promises to Israel fulfilled in the righteous kingdom.  Jesus Christ is the head of both government and religion in this future rulership.  Almost all prophecy has a near fulfillment and then a future truth of God’s promises.  As you read Zechariah and the words from Psalms and John this week look for the immediate fulfillment but more importantly see the message that God shows of the future.

-Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions:

What are the great anticipations of your heart for your life?

How does our hope in Christ grow as we live today but look forward to the fulfillment of prophecy?

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The Helper

OLD TESTAMENT: Haggai 1-2

POETRY: Psalm 143

NEW TESTAMENT: John 16:5-16

Jesus follows up his warnings of persecution in John 16 by promising his disciples a helper. Or, more specifically, the Helper. 

Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send it to you. And when it comes, it will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment. (John 16:7-8 REV)

To human beings who rely on our five senses to understand the world around us, it can be hard to make sense of this invisible power mysteriously referred to as the Helper. Jesus is vague in his description of the Helper—so vague that the disciples may have been picturing a cape-wearing, hammer-throwing, bad-guy-slaying superhero. 

Throughout the New Testament, in Jesus’ teachings and the following epistles, we get a clearer picture of what the Helper is. We most commonly refer to the Helper as the Holy Spirit. It is the power and presence of God active in the lives of believers.

Using scripture as our reference, let’s demystify what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life. (If you’ve committed to following Christ, this power is already inside you! If you haven’t yet, this power is available to you!) 

The Holy Spirit, through Jesus, dwells in us to be our helper. 

This helper is the spirit of truth, which the world is not able to receive, because it does not see it or know it. You know it, for it is present with you, and will be in you. (John 14:17 REV)

The Holy Spirit is received at conversion and is the seal of our salvation. 

In union with him you also, when you heard the message of truth—the good news of your salvation—and when you believed in him, were marked with a seal—the promised holy spirit. (Ephesians 1:13 REV)

The Holy Spirit guides us in truth & convicts us of our sin.

And when it comes, it will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment. (John 16:8 REV)

The Holy Spirit produces fruit to help us live set apart from the world. 

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 REV)

The Holy Spirit equips us with spiritual gifts to build up the church.

Now to each one the manifestation of the spirit is given for the common good. For to one is given through the spirit a message of wisdom, and to another a message of knowledge by means of the same spirit, to a different one trust by the same spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the one spirit, and to another energizings of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to a different one various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. Now all these are energized by the one and the same Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as he purposes. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11 REV)

Through Jesus’ sacrifice, which made you a vessel fitting of the Holy Spirit, God’s power lives in you. Whether you’ve realized this before or not, you wield a supernatural force—your very own super power, your helper.

-Mackenzie McClain

Reflection Questions

  1. When are you aware of the Spirit?
  2. What help have you received from the Spirit?
  3. How can you work closer with your Helper?
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When They Kill You

OLD TESTAMENT: Ezra 9-10

POETRY: Psalm 142

NEW TESTAMENT: John 15:18 – 16:4

Ominous title, right? In John 15 and 16, Jesus warned his disciples that they would be hated by the world, just as he, himself, was hated by the world. His final warning makes me shudder: 

Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. (John 16:2b ESV)

Jesus doesn’t say, people might not like you. Instead, he says, when people kill you. Jesus told his disciples they would die. And, they did. 

While many reports of their deaths are extra-biblical, there is a range of sources (from pretty well-verified to pretty random) that enumerate the tragic deaths of the apostles. This list includes executions by the sword (Acts 12:2), upside-down crucifixions, beheadings, stabbings, stonings, burnings, and drownings. 

The point is this: the disciples knew the dangers of following Jesus, but they did it anyway. The holiness of Jesus was worth emulating. The message of Jesus was worth spreading. The splendor of Jesus was worth striving for—even when it meant being spat on, looked down upon, imprisoned, and killed. They knew the terms. And they signed up anyway.

The next time you’re called a heretic, a prude, or a member of a cult, be encouraged by the apostles who came before us. These apostles faced greater persecution but remained steadfast followers of Christ. 

We know why they did it—it’s the same reason we do it. But how did they do it? I think the answer lies in having an eternal perspective, in remembering that a crown of thorns will be exchanged someday for a crown of glory. The pain is temporary, but the glory is eternal. 


So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV)

-Mackenzie McClain

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you feel you have experienced any persecution yet because of your faith?
  2. How does one prepare for persecution?
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Set His Heart to Study

OLD TESTAMENT: Ezra 7-8

POETRY: Psalm 142

NEW TESTAMENT: John 15:1-17

About 60 years after the first Babylonian exiles returned to Jerusalem, Ezra, appointed by King Artaxerxes, returned to Jerusalem with a new wave of exiles. His mission was to renew Israel’s commitment to following God’s Law. 

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. (Ezra 7:10)

For Ezra had set his heart…

At the time this passage was written, there was no Hebrew word for brain and no concept of its role in the body. Instead, biblical authors used the word heart (lev or levav) to describe both our emotions and thoughts. Here, when Ezra says he “sets his heart” on studying the Law, he means dedicating his entire being to knowing and following God’s Word.  

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 ESV)

…To study the Law of the LORD…

The Law, or Torah, refers to the first five books of the Old Testament. It contains 613 laws that establish a covenant between Israel and God. God promises that following His way will lead to blessing. 

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8 ESV)

…And to do it… 

While being able to recite all 613 laws would be impressive, knowledge without application is futile. It’s significant that not only does Ezra know the Law, but he also commits himself to following it. 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (James 1:22-25 ESV)

…And to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

This is where Ezra’s preparation meets his ministry. As a “scribe skilled in the Law of Moses” (Ezra 7:6), his knowledge of the Torah is complete. His mission is to teach the Torah to restore Yahweh’s rule and reign in Jerusalem.

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 ESV)

May we be like Ezra. May we set our hearts to study God’s Word, to live it out, and to teach its message to a world in need of revival. 

-Mackenzie McClain

Reflection Questions

  1. What have you set your heart on? What is your entire being dedicated to? How is this displayed in your life?
  2. What is the value of setting your heart on studying the law of the Lord (and now the whole word of the Lord made available throughout the 66 books not just the first 5 Ezra had the privilege of knowing)?
  3. Do you find it easier to study God’s law or to do it? Can you have one without the other?
  4. What ministry has God called you to? Who do you know that you can teach what you know about God and His Word?
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Remember & Celebrate

OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 8-10

POETRY: Psalm 141

NEW TESTAMENT: John 14:15-31

Esther 9:22 – “as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.”

How often do you remember and celebrate the mercies God has shown you?

In this last section of the book of Esther we read about the establishment of the celebration of Purim which commemorates when the Jews saw their fear and sorrow turn into relief and joy as the edict of annihilation was overturned.

All throughout the Old Testament, God calls His people to set aside specific days to remember and celebrate all that was done on their behalf. From Passover to Purim and Rosh Hashanah to Chanukah, these Jewish holidays are full of traditions that have been passed down through the generations.

As New Testament believers we take time to celebrate Christmas and Easter. He is our Messiah, and our salvation and hope are only available to us because of his perfect life, atoning death, and miraculous resurrection.  

Additionally, many of us regularly partake in communion, once again recognizing the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of God. 

But doesn’t God show us His grace and mercy daily? Shouldn’t we set aside time each day to pause, reflect, and give glory and honor for all that has been accomplished on our behalf? Like the Jews in the time of Esther, we too have been saved from the threat of annihilation from our enemies. We have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to do battle and conquer fear and so much more. 

Every day we have reason to celebrate. Abundant living is ours today! God has given us so much. Let us never take it for granted.

-Bethany Ligon

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think God gave directions for days of celebration? What benefits do they have?
  2. What has God given you that He wants you to remember?
  3. What was to be included in the celebration of Purim? What ingredients can you include in your holy days and in your every day?
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Humility that Leads to Life

Pride that Leads to Death

OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 5-7

POETRY: Psalm 141

NEW TESTAMENT: John 14:1-14

Esther 6:6 – “When Haman entered, the king asked, ‘What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?’”

Today’s Old Testament reading includes some of the most dramatic events! In the end, the bad guy loses and the good guy wins. And through it all we see how humility comes before honor and pride comes before a fall.

At the end of Esther chapter four we see Esther demonstrating humility as she recognizes that the only hope she has to save the Jews from destruction is to fast and pray to God.

Esther is also humble as she risks her life to approach the king uninvited. She knows that the only hope that she has of saving her people is if she shows proper honor to the king.

Mordecai showed humility as he continued to show up to the king’s gate day after day. The king had failed to acknowledge Mordecai’s part in uncovering the conspiracy to kill him. But that didn’t stop Mordecai from doing what he was called to do. What I find especially intriguing is that even in the light of impending destruction of all the Jews, Mordecai remained faithful and humble; he resisted becoming bitter and resentful.

Have you ever been overlooked? Ignored or dismissed after putting forth effort on behalf of someone else or to complete a task. Have you ever taken initiative only to have someone else receive the credit? 

If so, it can be disappointing, frustrating, and disheartening, which can then lead to apathy or even bitterness and resentment. 

But as believers, we are called to a higher standard. We are instructed multiple times that we do not work for anyone other than God. It is Him who we aim to please. He sees us, He knows how hard we work, He is aware of the self-discipline that is required to practice excellence. And even if our efforts are never acknowledged by others around us, we can count on God being fair and just. 

In due time, Mordecai was honored in the king’s court, Esther kept her status as queen, and the Jews were saved from destruction. And as for Haman, his pride led to his death. 

God saw and made what was wrong, right. He will do the same for you as you live in humility and honor Him in all that you think, say, and do.

-Bethany Ligon

Reflection Questions

  1. How is fasting (as seen at the end of chapter 4) an act of humility? What is your experience with fasting? How do you think God views fasting? Do you think there was benefit in the 3 day fast of Esther, her maids, Mordecai and the Jewish people?
  2. Where would you rate yourself on the humility – pride scale? What do you tend towards?
  3. What are the dangers that come with pride? When have you seen the pride fall?
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When You are Bewildered

OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 3 & 4

POETRY: Psalm 140

NEW TESTAMENT: John 13:18-38

Esther 3:15 – “Spurred on by the king’s command, the couriers went out, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.”

The third chapter of Esther opens up with yet another character of the narrative being introduced, Haman. We don’t know where he came from or what he did to deserve such a high rank among the king’s court, but we quickly learn that he comes from a lineage that is known for being at odds with Israel, the Agagites. We also learn that he thinks of himself as someone who deserves to be honored by those who are lower in status. And when Mordecai refuses to bow down to Haman, that’s when life as the Hebrews knew it, would change almost over night.

Chapter four has some of the most famous sentences recorded. As Mordecai is imploring Esther to take action to save her people from annihilation, he says to her, “And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this?” (verse 14) And two verses later, Esther replies, “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Talk about resolve in a time of tribulation! Esther’s character in this time is certainly one to take notice and imitate.

Which brings me to the phrase that jumped out at me in preparation for today and it’s found back in chapter 3, verse 15. Haman is thrilled that his plot will be carried out, even if he has to wait months for it to come to fruition. But just in case the king starts to really think about what he’s agreed to, Haman takes him out for drinks to keep him distracted. Meanwhile, the city of Susa is left wondering why would an edict for the complete destruction of a people group be made? What happened? Why the Jews, what did they do? What if Jews were intermarried, would some family members be killed while others be left alone? What if I did business with some Jews? What if my closest friends were Jews? Was I just expected to stand aside and let the authorities carry out a nonsensical edict? Who am I to stand against the government?

Does this sound like another time as described in modern day world history books? 

As an ordinary citizen in my town, in my state, in my country, there are plenty of times when governing authorities make decisions that don’t quite make sense. I admit that while I do participate in elections, I’m otherwise not politically active or especially knowledgeable beyond the headlines that pop up in my notifications. And so I can relate to the citizens of Susa who were left bewildered. Would I take action to try to stop the impending atrocities or would I remain in my confused state and watch events play out?

There are plenty of causes that anyone could choose to become involved in to make a difference for the vulnerable. How and when is between the individual and God. But that’s not exactly where I’m going with this.

I do want to remind you, dear friend, that even when this world leaves us bewildered, confused, or even indignite over injustices, as believers in the faith, we are also citizens of the Kingdom of God. And as God is eternal and true, we do not have to wonder or worry about some other authority coming in and stripping us of our spiritual citizenship. God is Almighty, He is holy, He is just, He is compassionate, He reigns over all creation, nothing is beyond His notice or His control. His care is over each and every one of us; He is trustworthy and faithful to His people. We can remain confident through prosperous times and turbulent trials that not only are we citizens, but we are children and even co-heirs with Christ in a Kingdom that will never end.

-Bethany Ligon

Reflection Questions

  1. What do we learn of Esther’s character? Mordecai’s? Haman’s? The kings? Of those characteristics you listed which ones can you see in yourself this past month? Which would you like to work on eliminating in your life? Which would you like to work on growing in your life?
  2. When have you been bewildered – perhaps by a government decision?
  3. What do you know from your own experiences and from Esther’s life about God’s character?
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“Now there was…”

OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 1-2

POETRY: Psalm 140

NEW TESTAMENT: John 13:1-17

Esther 2:5 – “Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish,”

The book of Esther opens up with introducing the reader to the reign of King Xerxes of Persia. His kingdom was vast and wide. His wealth was beyond measure. His wife, Queen Vashti, was one of the most beautiful women in all of the land. He seemed to have it all. Except King Xerxes didn’t have it all. He hadn’t yet conquered Greece. And his wife, well, she wasn’t keen on being paraded around objectified by men in drunken states. And for this, she was punished, dethroned, and for all intents and purposes, exiled. Now, King Xerxes didn’t have a queen.

Chapter two of Esther opens up with the phrase, “Now there was…” introducing us to a new set of characters in the story, Mordecai and Esther, who are the individuals that we should really turn our attention to. These two new characters are Hebrew exiles living in Persia under the reign of King Xerxes. And as we read through the book of Esther, we see that their presence in this kingdom is vital to the survival of Xerxes, but more significantly, the Hebrew population in Persia.

This phrase “Now there was…” has gotten me thinking about the other times it is used in Scripture. Within the NIV translation, it is used eight additional times. (Gen 12:10; 26:1; Nu 20:2; 2 Sam 9:2; 1 Kings 13:11; Luke 2:25; 23:50; and John 3:1) It’s an author’s way of transitioning to something new, maybe even something unexpected. 

As we find ourselves in the middle of Advent season, I’m going to take my devotional-writer prerogative and divert slightly and transition to another, but related, idea. (We’ll come back to Esther tomorrow, I promise.)

I am thinking of key people in the narrative of Jesus’ birth that also deserve a “Now there was” introduction.

Now there was…Mary, the betrothed of Joseph, chosen by God to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah.

Now there was…Joseph, the man selected to raise the Messiah as his own.

Now there was…Gabriel, the angel who was sent to share the news of parenthood with Mary and Joseph.

Now there were…the shepherds who witnessed a great company of the heavenly hosts praising God upon the birth of Jesus.

Now there were…the Wise Men who traveled from afar to present gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh to the new born child. 

All of these people had a role in introducing Jesus to the world, just as he was born. There are many prophets who foretold Jesus in the Old Testament. There are many apostles and disciples who continued to tell the world about Jesus through the Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament. 

Who is telling the world today about Jesus?

Now there was…YOU.

We each have the privilege and responsibility to continue to share the Gospel message to those who do not know it yet. 

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus with family and friends, let us not forget that there might be someone we know who needs to be introduced to the Lord and Savior of the world. They need to hear the message that they are loved, that they can be healed, that there is hope beyond what they experience today. YOU can be the difference for someone else today and give them the greatest gift of all, the Gospel message. 

May God bless you and keep you as you go about your day.

-Bethany Ligon

Reflection Questions

  1. In the first two chapters of Esther what have we learned so far about the main characters: the King of Persia, Mordecai, and Esther? How would you describe each one?
  2. Choose a character from the events of the birth of Jesus. How would you describe him/her?
  3. How would you like to introduce someone to Jesus? Pray about the opportunity, the words, the hearts (yours and theirs) that can make the difference.
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