This is the week when Jewish people from around the world celebrate the Fast of Esther and the holiday of Purim. Bible readers know this story from the book of Esther where Esther, (Hadassah is her Hebrew name) interceded before the king to spare the lives of her people. God gave Esther favor with the king and the Jews defeated their enemies.

While Christians think of Purim as a holiday for Jews, it is a special day Christians should also celebrate.

We read the decree in the book of Esther, “The Jews resolved and took upon themselves, their descendants and all who might join them that without fail, they would observe these two days in accordance with what was written in [this letter] and at the appointed time, every year; and that these days would be remembered and observed throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and that these days of Purim would never cease among the Jews or their memory be lost by their descendants” (Esther 9:27-28, Complete Jewish Bible).

Notice that the Scripture says, “all who might join them.” Millions of Christians around the world are realizing this part of the Scripture is talking about them.

Without Esther’s intercession, the Jews would have been destroyed, God’s covenant would have come to an end and there would be no Messiah. Since this was part of Jewish history, Jesus celebrated Purim as we learn in John 5:1. Since Jesus celebrated Purim, shouldn’t His followers do the same.

Christians should join with the Jewish people in celebrating Esther’s intercession and the victory of the Jewish people over Haman. There are many Haman’s in our world today. Christians can have the “Esther ministry” of intercession for the Jewish people while celebrating their historic victory as recorded in the book of Esther.

Christians – read the book of Esther, cheer Mordecai, boo Haman, ooh and aah Esther, sound your groggers and pray for God to give Israel victory over the Haman’s of the world who want to destroy her.

Happy Purim everyone.