Accused

Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people’s, and they do not keep the king’s laws. - Esther 3:8

     In Esther chapter three, we find that Mordecai refuses to obey the king's law and will not bow down to men. This disobedience and rebellion drives Haman to an extreme hatred of Mordecai and all other Jews. In verse eight, we find Haman's accusation of the Jews behavior. He says they are a people whose laws are different from everyone else and that they do not obey the king. Haman exaggerates the part about disobedience and claims that they do not keep the king's laws, implying that they keep none of them. The statement that is important to me is Haman's claim that, "their laws are different from all other people's." Would Haman accuse me of the same thing? If Haman attempted to make a law requiring all Christians to be murdered would anyone come after me? Do I live my daily life in such a way that others see a completely different set of laws? Mordecai and the Jews seemed weird to the people they were living amongst. Their feasts and rituals and the things they believed seemed absurd. Do people see absurdity in my life? I should be faithfully attended church. I should be helping my community constantly. I should be aiming for a higher standard in my daily actions. I should have my temper and my tongue under control. I should show kindness and forgiveness even when undeserved. I should be reflecting Christ like a mirror. What do my neighbors and coworkers see? What do the unsaved think of me? It is my prayer that the Lord will give me the strength to live my life worthy of accusation. Accusation by a world that has no idea what's wrong with me. Accusation by a world that sees something so different they will want to experience it in their own lives.