March 12 Loving Others

Esther 6:1-10 On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4 And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 5 And the king’s young men told him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” 6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” 7 And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. 9 And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” 10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king’s gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.” 
 
WE are likely familiar with Jesus’ teaching of the two great commands to summarize the law. These are recorded in Matthew 22:37-39 “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
    Have you ever really thought about what it is to “love your neighbor as yourself”? Surprisingly and unwittingly, the evil Haman gives us an answer. See how Haman is eager and willing to describe a lavish procession for “the man whom the king delights to honor”. The arrogant Haman sees himself as the only possible person in Persia to be so honored. He loved himself more than any other person in the kingdom!
    Isn’t this an illustration of how we want to be loved? With pride-laden hearts we robe ourselves in self-love. Our eyes see, “Me.” as the most important person “in the room”. Yes, we love ourselves! What would it look like to love others in that way?
    Jesus showed us. His parade into Jerusalem was on a humble donkey. Yes, he rode that Palm Sunday in a chorus of celebration and praise from the crowd of his disciples. But his ride was to demonstrate how deeply he loves you. Lovingly, he rode to his crucifixion. He rode to point you not to himself but to your Father in Heaven. He rode not to be lifted up in praise, but he rode to be lifted up on a cross to die. He did this because he loves God, and he loves you. The Commander of Heaven’s Armies obeyed his Father’s commands.
    We must do as Jesus. Love God. Love others. Raise up your friends, family, church and neighbors to a place of love, encouragement and blessing. Think of what you desire for yourself. Then give those things to others.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus for your great love. Stir me to love you and to love others more than I love myself. In your name I pray, amen.