|
|
by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada
“Then I will go to the king, even though it is against the law, and if I must die, I must die.” (Esther 4:16)
Risk a life to save thousands of lives!
In economics, risk-taking is the function of an entrepreneur for making profits
and being successful. There is no exception in other areas of life, even in
spiritual realms. The thrill of life and its happiness depends on the degree of
risk taken. 'Save your own skin and watch out for the number one are mottos that
reflect our world’s selfish outlook on life.' Esther’s attitude stands in bold
contrast to this. She knew she had to do it, and she also knew it could cost her
life, and yet she responded, "If I must die, I must die.” At the risk of her
life, Esther, the Jew was ready to meet the king and plead for the cause of the
entire Jews who were ordered to be killed by the king. We should have the same
commitment to do what is right despite the possible consequences. Don’t forget
that what we are and where we are is the result of the risk taken by somebody...
by the crucifixion of Jesus, we are all saved from sin and death.
“They were chasing a little boy about 10 years old. They caught up with him, and
one them took his gun and smashed the child’s head in. They killed him.” Those
are the words of Giorgio Perlasca, who witnessed this murder in Hungary in 1944.
The Nazis were killing the Jews, regardless of their age. Although he was an
Italian, he was able to masquerade as a top Spanish diplomat and help to save
the Jews. For 3 months, Perlasca distributed letters to all the Jews he could
find. The letters stated that the Jews had been granted the protection of the
Spanish government. When he saw Jews being herded onto the trains headed for
death, he confronted the Nazis and ordered them to return the people to him. He
housed more than 5000 Jews in 11 apartment buildings where he hung Spain’s flag
to protect the occupants. Historians estimate that he helped to save more than
10,000 people before his cover was blown when Spain cut off diplomatic relations
with Hungary at the end of 1944.
“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for
me, you will find it ”(Mathew 10:39). Do you try to save yourself by remaining
silent rather than standing up for what is right? Decide to do what God wants,
and trust him for the outcome.
Jesus, we remember all the Esthers who have taken the risk of their lives for truth and justice. Let us have the guts and spirit to do it. Let us make a difference in the lives of others through our sacrificial lives. We pray for the innocent people who are dying and suffering in Syria, Libya, Yemen and other parts of the world in the hands of tyrannous rulers. All we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Yesterday | Today with Jesus Archives | Next
More Devotionals | Weekly Devotionals | Sermons | Essays | Articles | Bible Study | Malankara World - Home | Baselios Church Home
-------
Malankara World
A service of St. Basil's Syriac Orthodox
Church, Ohio
Copyright © 2009-2020 - ICBS Group. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer
Website designed, built, and hosted by
International Cyber Business Services, Inc., Hudson, Ohio
