Joy In The Presence Of The Bridegroom

Late Winter, c. 33 AD

Joy In The Presence Of The Bridegroom

While the religious establishment in Jerusalem grows increasingly somber and calculating, the atmosphere around Jesus remains one of unexpected celebration for those He touches. He speaks of the Kingdom as a great banquet, a feast where the lowly are invited to the head of the table. For the blind, the lame, and the outcast, His presence is a living Purim—a reversal of their mourning into dancing.

The Master continues to teach that the "Son of Man" has come to seek and save that which was lost. Even as the shadow of the cross lengthens, He maintains that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, offering a rest that the heavy-handed legalists of the day cannot provide.

"The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by all her children."
— Luke 7:34-35 (LSB)

Timeline Box: Chronologically, the final month of Jesus' life would have coincided with the celebration of Purim by the Jewish people.

Persian Era, 473 BC

Sorrows Turned To Gladness: The First Purim Celebrated

The reports from Susa are official: the threat of Haman is over, and the Jewish people have found rest from their enemies. Mordecai the Jew has sent letters to all provinces, establishing the 14th and 15th of Adar as days of feasting and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

"Therefore the Jews of the villages... make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a good day for gladness and feasting and sending portions of food to one another."
— Esther 9:19 (LSB)

Timeline Box: Esther 9:17-19 explicitly dates the rest and celebration of the provincial Jews to the 14th of Adar.

Mosaic Era, 1405 BC

The Choice Is Set: Life Or Death, Blessing Or Curse

In a thunderous conclusion to his legal addresses, Moses has placed the ultimate choice before the nation. He calls heaven and earth as witnesses, urging the people to choose life so that they and their descendants may live. The weight of the moment is felt by every soul in the camp as they look toward the Jordan.

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your seed."
— Deuteronomy 30:19 (LSB)

Timeline Box: This address is part of the final covenant renewal in Moab just before Moses' death.

Editorial: The Theology Of Reversal

Purim is the feast of "Venahapoch Hu"—the great reversal. What was meant for evil, God turned to good. We see this in Esther's palace, and we see the ultimate reversal beginning in the life of Jesus. He takes the "curse" mentioned by Moses and prepares to become that curse on a tree, so that the "blessing" might reach the ends of the earth.

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