Have you ever heard the creed of U.S. mail carriers? It says, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
We have been studying the book of Esther in the services of the church. Esther’s story took place during the days of the Persian empire. It may sound strange, but they had a phenomenal postal system!
Long before Adolf Hitler’s holocaust, Haman tried it, too. Once the king agreed to Haman’s plan to kill all Jews, his decree was written into law. Next, they had to spread the word; enter the aforementioned postal system. After all, what good is the king’s decree if no one receives the word?
Riders would leave out from the king’s palace carrying the official proclamation. Every 14 miles, along the main roads, were post houses. At the post houses, riders could get new horses, enlist new riders, and pass along the king’s documents for further distribution. They would ride to villages and share the proclamations. Within 5 – 6 weeks, the entire Persian empire would receive the news!
For people without Internet and cable television, it was an ingenious and efficient system!
The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
Esther 3:15
Those postal riders carried letters of death from their king!
Now, fast-forward to our day. The church of Jesus Christ also has some news to bring. It is the word of the King of kings. Only, His message is not death but life – eternal life! Just like Haman’s time, the word must spread! After all, what good is good news if no one hears it?
So, the church must be the postal workers! Saddle up, and ride with the Gospel message! Our work is to tell our community and world that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead! We must tell them that Jesus saves! The King’s proclamation is that whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!
In the last few weeks, my wife has received two handwritten letters from the local Kingdom Hall. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are a cult! They preach another gospel and another Jesus, not the Jesus Christ that is revealed in the Bible. Because of Covid-19, they have been unable to travel from door-to-door. Yet, they are determined nothing will stop them. So, someone is taking the time to handwrite letters and mail them to the community. I do not believe in their message, but I do have to consider their dedication!
We have the truth! We have the message of salvation that will save people from Hell! We can tell others of Jesus Christ! Who will saddle up and ride?
If the U.S. postal system says that neither snow, rain, heat, nor gloom will prevent them from delivering the mail, how much more should the church of Christ have dedication and zeal to bring the Gospel to others? Rain cannot stop us! Covid cannot stop us! We have the King’s message to tell!
Saddle up, and ride, Christian!
- Talk to that friend about Jesus
- Love people in the name of Jesus Christ
- Live a life of good works unto God, letting your light shine around you
- Pray earnestly for people, by name, to be saved
- Ask God to use you to share the Gospel with others
- Invite many people to church this Sunday – fill up an entire row!
- Pray for your pastor to have power to preach the Gospel to those whom you invited
- Share the livestreams, messages, and Gospel on Facebook and social media
- Leave Gospel tracts with others
Saddle up, and ride!
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