Good morning,

Passover is 15 April and Resurrection Sunday is 17 April, 2022.

This week we will look at the events that happened prior to the cross. The preparation for the Passover, preliminary meal before Passover, the institution of the Lord’s supper, the garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, and His trials before Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod Antipas, concluding with Pilate. 

Next week we will look at the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

The preparation for the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-19)

“Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?¹⁸ And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.¹⁹ And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.”

This was a preparation day. All leavened bread was to be removed. The lambs had not yet been slain. Jesus would be crucified at the precise time the Passover lambs were being slain.

The preliminary meal before Passover (Matthew 26:20-25)

“Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.²¹ And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.²² And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?²³ And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.²⁴ The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.²⁵ Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.”

Jesus’ announcement that one of them would betray Him, caused grief to 11 of the 12. Judas knew he would betray Jesus.

The institution of the Lord’s supper (Matthew 26:26-29)

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. ²⁷ And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;²⁸ For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.²⁹ But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Jesus gave us a picture to remember. The bread symbolizes the broken, beaten, body of Jesus. The cup symbolizes the blood shed by Jesus to take away man’s sin.

This week please reflect on what Jesus came to do and what that means to you.

The garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46)

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.³⁷ And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.³⁸ Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.³⁹ And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.⁴⁰ And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? ⁴¹ Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.⁴² He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.⁴³ And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.⁴⁴ And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.⁴⁵ Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.⁴⁶ Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.”

Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done. The cross, shed blood, and resurrection was the only way. God the Father could not look on sin. Jesus was to become sin for all mankind. Father and Son would be separated for the first time.

The disciples are like us. We are asked to pray for something and we either forget or fall asleep while praying. 

The betrayal and arrest of Jesus (Matthew 26:46-56)

“Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.⁴⁷ And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.⁴⁸ Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.⁴⁹ And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.⁵⁰ And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.⁵¹ And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.⁵² Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.⁵³ Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?⁵⁴ But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?⁵⁵ In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.⁵⁶ But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.”

The disciples are a fine lot. Three fell asleep in prayer. One betrays Him openly. One cuts off the ear of the servant to the high priest. The rest forsake Him and flee. The reason why, so the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.

How do we forsake Jesus? Do we faithfully read His word, witness about Him, pray, worship? Unfortunately, we are no better than the disciples. However, when the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us, convicts us, we have the opportunity to get back into a right relationship with Jesus.

Will we?

Trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-68)

“And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.⁵⁸ But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.⁵⁹ Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;⁶⁰ But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,⁶¹ And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.⁶² And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?⁶³ But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.⁶⁴ Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.⁶⁵ Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.⁶⁶ What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.⁶⁷ Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,⁶⁸ Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?”

The religious leaders tried to get false witnesses to accuse Jesus. They could not. But when Jesus was asked directly are you the Son of God, He told the chief priest, He was. In their eyes Jesus was guilty of blasphemy and worthy of death. Unfortunately for them, they could not carry out the execution of Jesus. They needed help from Rome.

Jesus was going to the cross because He was God’s Son, sent to redeem mankind through His precious holy blood. We were and are guilty of not following Jesus. We have a better way than Jesus gave us through the Bible.

If you do not know Jesus as Savior and Lord, repent now. Confess your sin and ask Jesus to take residence in your life. Allow Him to have complete control of all areas of your being.

Trial before Pilate (Matthew 27:11-26)

“And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.¹² And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.¹³ Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?¹⁴ And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.¹⁵ Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.¹⁶ And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.¹⁷ Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?¹⁸ For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.¹⁹ When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.²⁰ But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.²¹ The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.²² Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.²³ And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.²⁴ When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.²⁵ Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.²⁶ Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.”

Although the Jewish religious leader thought that crucifying Jesus would end their problems, it did not. Going to the cross was God’s plan all along. So the wicked religious leaders were playing right into the plan of God. They killed the Messiah for their own political gain. They made their decision, have you?

Fifty years ago, I was at this decision point. I was confronted with the fact that Jesus was real, He died on the cross for my sin, and He wanted me to live with Him forever. I confessed my sin and trusted Christ to be my Savior and Lord.

God wants you too. Would you bow the knee to Him today?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Passover is 15 April and Resurrection Sunday is 17 April, 2022.

This week we will look at the events that happened prior to the cross. The preparation for the Passover, preliminary meal before Passover, the institution of the Lord’s supper, the garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, and His trials before Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod Antipas, concluding with Pilate. 

Next week we will look at the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

The garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46)

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.³⁷ And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.³⁸ Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.³⁹ And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.⁴⁰ And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? ⁴¹ Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.⁴² He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.⁴³ And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.⁴⁴ And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.⁴⁵ Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.⁴⁶ Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.”

Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done. The cross, shed blood, and resurrection was the only way. God the Father could not look on sin. Jesus was to become sin for all mankind. Father and Son would be separated for the first time.

The disciples are like us. We are asked to pray for something and we either forget or fall asleep while praying.  

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Passover is 15 April and Resurrection Sunday is 17 April, 2022.

This week we will look at the events that happened prior to the cross. The preparation for the Passover, preliminary meal before Passover, the institution of the Lord’s supper, the garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, and His trials before Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod Antipas, concluding with Pilate.  

Next week we will look at the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

The preparation for the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-19)

“Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?¹⁸ And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.¹⁹ And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.”

This was a preparation day. All leavened bread was to be removed. The lambs had not yet been slain. Jesus would be crucified at the precise time the Passover lambs were being slain.

The preliminary meal before Passover (Matthew 26:20-25)

“Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.²¹ And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.²² And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?²³ And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.²⁴ The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.²⁵ Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.”

Jesus announcement that one of them would betray Him, caused grief to 11 of the 12. Judas knew he would betray Jesus.

The institution of the Lord’s supper (Matthew 26:26-29)

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. ²⁷ And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;²⁸ For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.²⁹ But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Jesus gave us a picture to remember. The bread symbolizes the broken, beaten, body of Jesus. The cup symbolizes the blood shed by Jesus to take away man’s sin.

This week please reflect on what Jesus came to do and what that means to you.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will be encouraged and challenged by five devotions from the Grace Gems website.

My grace is sufficient for you!

(J.C. Philpot, “Strength Made Perfect in Weakness”)

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“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

Not your strength,
not your wisdom,
not your prayers,
not your experience;
but “My grace“–My free, My matchless grace:
  independent of all works and efforts,
  independent of everything in the creature,
  flowing wholly and solely, fully and freely, out of the bosom of Jesus to . . .
    the needy,
    the guilty,
    the destitute,
    the undone.

You who are tried in worldly circumstances, who have to endure the hard lot of poverty–“My grace is sufficient for you.”

You who are tempted, day by day, to say or do that which conscience testifies against–“My grace is sufficient for you.”

You who are harassed with family troubles and afflictions, and are often drawn aside into peevishness and fretfulness–“My grace is sufficient for you.”

Our weakness, helplessness, and inability are the very things which draw forth the power, the strength, and the grace of Jesus!

Believer, your case is never beyond the reach of the words–“My grace is sufficient for you!”

The free, the matchless, sovereign grace of God, is sufficient for all His people–in whatever state, or stage, or trouble, or difficulty they may be in!

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

     ~ ~ ~ ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will be encouraged and challenged by five devotions from the Grace Gems website.

Seven principles of Christian discipleship

William MacDonald’s Seven Principles of Christian Discipleship:

1. A supreme love for Jesus Christ.

2. A denial of self.

3. A deliberate choosing of the cross.

4. A life spent in following Christ.

5. A fervent love for all who belong to Christ.

6. An unswerving commitment to His Word.

7. A forsaking of all to follow Him.

“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has, cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33

    ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will be encouraged and challenged by five devotions from the Grace Gems website.

Christian contentment

(Don Fortner)

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

Here are five things which, if God the Holy Spirit is pleased to establish them in our hearts, will surely give every believer contentment:

1. The purpose of God. All things that have ever come to pass in this world . . .
 both great and small,
 both prosperous and adverse,
 both pleasing and painful,
 both good and evil,
come to pass according to God’s eternal, immutable, unalterable purpose. Learn this in your heart, and you will learn to be content. “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36

2. The providence of God. Everything in Heaven, earth and Hell is sovereignly ruled, governed and manipulated by God in infinite wisdom, according to His own holy purpose for the eternal, spiritual good of His people. Nothing in this universe breathes or moves without God’s decree and God’s direction. “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28

3. The power of God. Our God is almighty. He has purposed to do us good, and He has the power to accomplish his purpose. He cannot be frustrated or defeated. “All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of Heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have you done?” Daniel 4:35. He is God almighty! You can safely trust Him.

4. The presence of God. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said: I will never leave you! I will never forsake you!” Hebrews 13:5. Can you get a sense of this fact? If you are one of God’s believing children–then the omnipotent, eternal God is with you! Surely, the presence of God with you should give your heart contentment at all times.

5. The promises of God. Open the book of God’s promises, and find a rich source of contentment for your soul. To all who are in Christ Jesus, “He has given us His very great and precious promises!” 2 Peter 1:4

“Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

 ~ ~ ~ ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will be encouraged and challenged by five devotions from the Grace Gems website.

These eternal fountains!

(William Nicholson, 1862)

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“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd.
 He will lead them to springs of living water.
 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!” Revelation 7:17

“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!” Numerous are the sources of sorrow here on earth–but God will dry them all up in Heaven. There will be no mourning Christian to drop tears there, “for all sorrow and sighing shall flee away!” There is nothing in that happy residence to distress or annoy.

Jeremiah will utter no plaintive language there.
Transgressors will grieve the holy no more.
Bartimaeus is the poor blind beggar no more.
Lazarus’s sores have been replaced by immortal beauty.
The weeping widow is no longer crushed to the dust by the heavy hand of poverty.
The orphan child is no longer forsaken and homeless.
Pinching poverty and wasting disease are unknown.
The distressing complaint will never accost the ear, “I am sick!”
The sting of death and the terrors of the grave will never present themselves there.
There are no graves in the land of eternal life.
There is no death of friends there.
Martha and Mary go to no beloved brother’s grave to weep.

Yonder, there is . . .
   no deceitful heart,
   no secret foe,
   no fascinating world,
   no artful Satan!
 
The former things have passed away, and the era of immortality has arrived.

God shall give them everything calculated to secure, continue, and increase their happiness. “He will lead them to springs of living water,” which shall never be exhausted. A spring is termed living water, because constantly bubbling up, and running on. These “springs of living water” indicate endless sources of happiness, which Christ will supply to His redeemed people from His own infinite plenitude.

These eternal fountains will make an infinite variety for the enjoyments of the blessed. There will be no sameness, and therefore no weariness to the spirit. Every moment will open a new source of pleasure. And as God is infinite, so His attributes are infinite, and throughout infinity more and more of those attributes will be unveiled–and the discovery of each will be a new fountain of enjoyment. These sources will be ever-opening through all eternity–and yet, through all eternity, there will still remain in the absolute perfections of the Godhead, an infinity of them still to be opened!

Such bliss is enough to make the Christian say, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!” Philippians 1:23

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will be encouraged and challenged by five devotions from the Grace Gems website.

Nothing escapes His notice!

(Arthur Pink, “The Attributes of God”)

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What a wondrous Being is the God of Scripture!

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13

God is omniscient. He knows everything:
  everything possible,
  everything actual,
  all events,
  all creatures,
of the past, the present, and the future.

He is perfectly acquainted with every detail in the life of every being in Heaven, in earth, and in Hell. Nothing escapes His notice, nothing can be hidden from Him, nothing is forgotten by Him.

His knowledge is perfect.
He never errs.
He never changes.
He never overlooks anything.

God not only knows whatever has happened in the past in every part of His vast domains; and He is not only thoroughly acquainted with everything that is now transpiring throughout the entire universe–but He is also perfectly cognizant of every event, from the least to the greatest, that will ever happen in the ages to come! God’s knowledge of the future is as complete as is His knowledge of the past and the present; and that, because the future depends entirely upon Himself. God has Himself designed whatever shall yet be–and what He has designed, must be effectuated. God’s knowledge does not arise from things because they are or will be–but because He has ordained them to be! Yes, such is the God with whom we have to do!

“You know when I sit and when I rise;
 You perceive my thoughts from afar.
 You discern my going out and my lying down;
 You are familiar with all my ways.
 Before a word is on my tongue–You know it completely, O Lord!” Psalm 139:2-4

How solemn is this fact: Nothing can be concealed from God!

“For I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them” (Ezekiel 11:5). Though He is invisible to us–we are not so to Him. Neither the darkness of night, the closest curtains, nor the deepest dungeon–can hide any sinner from the eyes of Omniscience! Men would strip Deity of His omniscience if they could. They wish there might be . . .
  no Witness of their sins,
  no Searcher of their hearts,
  no Judge of their deeds!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

We have come to the conclusion of our study of the Book of Esther.

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 16 March and ends on the evening of 17 March.

This week we will look at chapters 7-10. The plot of Haman is revealed to the King. Haman is judged. Mordecai is promoted. A new letter is sent. The feast of Purim is inaugurated.

Today we look at chapter 9-10, Jews prevail and Purim initiated.

Chapter 9 Jews destroy their enemies and Purim instituted

“Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.” (9:5)

“And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” (9:20-22)

“Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,” (9:26)

The Jews defeated their enemies. To commemorate this event the festival of Purim was initiated.  It has been celebrated from that time till today.

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.² Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. ³ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; ⁴ What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:1-4)

God avenges the enemies of the Jews.

Chapter 10 Mordecai’s greatness

“For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” (10:3)

Mordecai is second to the king. More importantly, he is accepted by the Jews as a great benevolent leader.

So the story has a happy ending.

God orchestrated each event. He was in every circumstance that Mordecai, Esther, and Haman encountered.

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

We have come to the conclusion of our study of the Book of Esther.

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 16 March and ends on the evening of 17 March.

This week we will look at chapters 7-10. The plot of Haman is revealed to the King. Haman is judged. Mordecai is promoted. A new letter is sent. The feast of Purim is inaugurated.

Today we look at chapter 8, Mordecai is promoted and writes a new letter.

Chapter 8 Promotion of Mordecai and new decree to allow the Jews to defend themselves

“On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.” (8:1-2)

“Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.” (8:8)

“And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,” (8:10-11)

The problem still exists, what will become of the Jews? The king’s decree could not be revoked.

The king promotes Mordecai to Haman’s position. He suggests that Haman write a new decree. He does. Verses 10-11 above tell us what Mordecai wrote. Basically, he gave the Jews the ability to defend themselves, to destroy, to slay and cause to perish, all those that would try to destroy them.

The anti-Semites of that day were about to understand the power of God.

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; ¹⁰ And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. (Deuteronomy 7:9-10)

He did!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com