I. Readings
Psalms 32, 130, 139
Esther 1:1-4, 10-19
Acts 17:1-15
John 12:36b-43
II. Selections
Psalm 130:7
O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
Esther 1:18
" ...This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's behavior will rebel against the king's officials, and there will be no end of contempt and wrath! ... " [ Memucan to Ahasuerus, King of Persia and Media]
Acts 17:5
But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason's house.
John 12:36b-37
After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from [ the crowd]. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him.
III. Meditation: Tyrant and mob
A tyrant full of his own importance
surrounds himself with advisors
who say only what he wants to hear-
after all, his ego must be protected.
(The offense to ego is especially acute
when the perpetrator is a woman.)
A mob is a tyrant throng,
jealous of its own prerogatives,
certain it is right, its victims wrong.
Senseless in its drive to correct the grievance,
it ignores all evidence to the contrary,
only hears compatible advice.
Your people suffered from mobs and tyrants-
Jesus, too, in extreme.
What hope against tyrant or mob?
Our hope is in you,
for with you is steadfast love,
and great power to redeem.
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