Jesus Changed Everything
The Roman emperor Constantine lived from 272 to 337 A.D. Emperor Constantine is an important historical figure because he implemented reforms that stopped the persecution of Christians. He also instituted the calendar dividing all of history into B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (anno domini, in the year of the Lord). The move to secularize this dating system caused the labels to change to C.E. (common era) and B.C.E. (before the common era). Some people today might say the world is trying to keep God out.
Regardless of how hard the world has tried, God hasn’t gone anywhere. Our calendar still centers around the reality of Jesus’ life on earth. Israel’s history often teaches us that tragedy frequently produced celebration. The tragedy of four centuries of slavery in Egypt produced Passover. The desecration of Israel’s temple by the Seleucids in the second century BC led to the feast of Hanukkah, which commemorated the temple’s rededication. The threat of genocide raised against the Jews in the Book of Esther resulted in the Feast of Purim. In Israel today the Feast of Purim has a tradition where the children dress up in costumes from the characters in Esther’s story. Jewish children are encouraged to remember the stories of their ancestors’ rescue throughout their history.
The Book of Esther is unusual in that it contains no specific mention of God, and yet it tells the story of God’s deliverance. The people of Israel had been banished from their homeland and were living in a place indifferent to God. Esther 3:8-9, 12-14 tells how a government official wanted to kill all the Israelites. God used Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai to deliver all His people. This story is celebrated to this day as the Jewish holiday Purim (9:20-32).
Regardless of what the world chooses today, Jesus changed everything. Jesus introduced us to an uncommon era – one filled with hope and promise. Look around and you will discover that “Jesus changed everything.”
Prayer – Father, we thank you for the story of Esther and the reality that “Jesus changed everything.” Amen.
Esther 9:23 – “The Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them.”
By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: Gift Habeshaw & Nick Fewings, courtesy of Unsplash
