MARCH 16

Esther 4:1-4

GREAT MOURNING

Upon hearing Haman’s decree, Mordecai cried loudly and bitterly. He tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes on his head – a sign of great mourning and sadness in those days. Throughout the empire, Jews mourned, fasted, wept, wailed, and many like Mordecai sat in sackcloth and ashes. It was a painful scene, to see young and old crying, and parents struggling to explain to their children about what was happening.

Esther’s servants saw Mordecai and told her what they saw. Though she was queen, she still had great respect and affection for Mordecai. Esther didn’t know the reason for his mourning, but his grief became hers. She immediately sent clothes to him but he turned it away. Mordecai knew all this happened because he bowed not to Haman. The injustice tore at his heart and caused his grief to be doubly heavy.

Although Mordecai held a position in the king’s gate, he didn’t care about how others would view him or what they would say. He openly showed himself to be a Jew and identified with his people before the king’s gate. Mordecai made no attempt to hide or escape from his Jewish identity. His public mourning showed how great and terrible was the decree to destroy all the Jews.

Are there times where you see others in great sadness? You may or may not know the reason. Or like Mordecai, perhaps you are in great sadness together with them. Sometimes, there’s nothing to do but to unashamedly cry and share their sadness. ere are no words to say during these times, only to let them know of your presence and prayers. Mordecai didn’t run to anyone. He simply mourned, and cried to the God of Israel. When the walls around us keep pressing in, causing us to despair, look up and cry to God. He alone hears and can answer your prayers.

Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry.

Thought: God is the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort
Prayer: Father in Heaven, You are the God of all comfort. When I am in despair, help me to look up to You alone for divine comfort. May You also use me to comfort others when they are sad too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.