不可思议！末底改，他只不过是一个天天坐在朝门的犹大人，竟在波斯国掌权者中占第二位。难以置信！那个卑微的牧童大卫，竟然成为神子民的君王，他的地位仅次于耶和华。当在危急之时，他们两人都作出了明智的决定，但他们并没有打算成为以色列的救赎者或拯救者。
对于神的子民来说，追求荣誉地位是不合宜的，这样做其实很愚昧。哈曼使用手段来赢取高位，然而末底改却事奉并信靠神，所以神便赐他尊荣和重任，而他也忠心地去干。要成为伟大君王的良善忠心仆人，条件似乎是需要真的感到自已不配，又愿意服事人而不是满足自己——这和世人的看法实在是背道而驰的。
使徒保罗劝诫他的读者：“不要看自己过于所当看的，…… 要看得合乎中道”（罗马书 12:3）；雅各亦鼓励他的读者，要以神的律法作为镜子（雅各书 1:23-25），当我们这样行时，我们便能在镜子里看到基督的影像。衪虽然有尊贵的身份，却成为人的样式，谦卑地背负十字架的重担。
“你们中间谁是有智慧，有见识的呢？他就当在智慧的温柔上显出他的善行来。” （雅各书 3:13）
主啊，求祢赐我智慧，叫我能体谅人，存心谦卑，并满有怜悯。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
路得记 4:18-22; 以斯帖记 10:1-3 Ruth 4:18-22; Esther 10:1-3
18 法勒斯的后代记在下面：法勒斯生希斯仑；
19希斯仑生兰；兰生亚米拿达；
20亚米拿达生拿顺；拿顺生撒门；
21撒门生波阿斯；波阿斯生俄备得；
22俄备得生耶西；耶西生大卫。
1 亚哈随鲁王使旱地和海岛的人民都进贡。
2他以权柄能力所行的，并他抬举末底改使他高升的事，岂不都写在米底亚和波斯王的历史上吗？
3犹大人末底改作亚哈随鲁王的宰相，在犹大人中为大，得他众弟兄的喜悦，为本族的人求好处，向他们说和平的话。
Exalted Redeemers
Impossibly, a mere Jew who had sat daily at the king’s gate became second in command of all Persia. Unexpectedly, a lowly shepherd boy named David became king of God’s people, second in rank only to the Lord. Both made wise decisions when called to act. Neither sought to become redeemers and rescuers of Israel.
Seeking greatness is unbecoming—foolish, actually—especially for God’s people. Getting greatness by manipulation is something Haman would do, but Mordecai served and trusted God, who gave him honor as well as great responsibility, in which he served faithfully. Contrary to the ways of the world, an honest sense of unworthiness and a will to serve others rather than ourselves appear to be requirements for good and faithful servants of the great King.
The apostle Paul exhorts his readers, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment (Romans 12:3). James encourages his readers to look into the mirror of God’s law (James 1:23-25). Doing that, we will see reflected the image of Christ, who, though exalted, became like one of us and was humbled to the burden of the cross.
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13).
Give me the wisdom, Lord, to be considerate, submissive, and filled with mercy. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
