“Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.” . . . “She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.” Esther 2:12, 14b NIV
“Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son” . . . 11 But when the king came in to see the wedding guests, he saw a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But he had nothing to say. 13 Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Tie him up hand and foot and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!’ Matthew 22:1-2, 11-13 NET
God, Ruler of all,
Esther sounds like today, cosmetics, soaks, lotions, potions, hair and beauty treatments! Esther had to be beautiful to look at, small incredible and have a nature pleasing to the king. What if he forgot which one she was? Rereading Esher has reminded me that nothing we do or how we look or how we are as a person gets us into Your holy royal presence. Absolutely nothing. Only Jesus who told us in Matthews gospel that entering heaven is like being invited to a wedding. Attendance permitted only by wearing wedding clothes, Your costly yet freely given robes of righteousness. And You remember each one of us.
Esther was bathed in myrrh. A gift given to Jesus by the magi. Symbolising death. Jesus died for us. How wonderful that in Jesus it only takes a moment to wash away the sins of a lifetime, not 12 months!. Esther was perfumed to make the outside smell nice. Jesus makes us clean and beautiful inside and out. The sweet aroma and fragrance of life in Christ! (2 Corinthians 2:16). We do not need to put a spotless face on for You or try to be someone we are not. You loved us first and while we were still sinners Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8).
We are clothed in Christ’s righteousness, loved and known by name (John 10:3). Let this assurance build our faith.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of all, Ruler of all,
For our close family,
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church Ministers, lay leaders, Sunday school teachers, fellow worshippers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Royal family. Parliament on summer break.
For Ukraine. Bereaved families. Families still in other countries. Change Putin’s heart to end war.
For peacemakers in Gaza, Middle East. Change hard hearts, melt vengeance, make a new peace.
For Myanmar Your church people. Other areas where church is persecuted.
For those struggling in faith, disappointed, hurt or questioning. Your presence.
For the ongoing Olympic games. The pleasure effort and the strong yet peaceful competition.
For charities helping villages have clean fresh water supplies nearby.
For all those who meet You today for the first time. Assurance and protection.
For the youth of today bombarded with social media, to hear Your voice.
For us to have the assurance of sin forgiven and Your presence amidst all today brings
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 4th August 2024
Salvation Army. Great hymn. Can’t sing it half hearted or miserable . . . Not many hymns have two chorus’s!
Marching on in the light of God,
Marching on, I am marching on;
Up the path that the Master trod,
Marching, marching on.
A robe of while, a crown of gold,
A harp, a home, a mansion fair,
A victor’s palm, a joy untold,
Are mine when I get there.
For Jesus is my Saviour, he’s washed my sins away,
Died for me on Calvary’s mountain;
I’m happy in his wondrous love, singing all the day,
I’m living, yes, I’m living in the fountain.
Marching on through the hosts of sin,
Victory’s mine while I’ve Christ within.
Marching on in the Spirit’s might,
More than conqueror in every fight.
Marching on with the flag unfurled,
Preaching Christ to a dying world.
Lyrics: Captain Robert Johnson 1883
Little is known about Captain Johnson except that he worked for the Salvation Army in Scotland and in London. He was a singer and played hymn tunes on the violin.