Jesus willingly laid down His life to intercede for humanity

Tang Wei Ping · Friday at 5:22 AM

Esther 4:16 :
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God Esther 4:16 reflects God’s love in His involvement in the lives of His people. Though God’s name is not explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther, His care and protection are evident in the way He positions Esther to be a deliverer for the Jewish people. Esther’s reliance on prayer and fasting shows her understanding that God is the one who ultimately holds her fate in His hands. She trusts in His love and faithfulness, even as she faces the possibility of death. God’s love is also shown in the way He uses ordinary people like Esther to accomplish His purposes. Despite her fears and limitations, God equips Esther for the task before her, guiding her to be a source of salvation for her people.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ Esther’s willingness to risk her life for her people foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as Esther stepped forward to intercede for the Jews, knowing she might die, Jesus willingly laid down His life to intercede for humanity. Esther’s words, “If I perish, I perish,” mirror the resolve of Christ, who chose to die on the cross for the salvation of the world. Jesus’s sacrifice was the fulfillment of God’s plan for redemption, and like Esther, He acted out of love and obedience to God’s will. In both stories, we see the theme of intercession, with Esther and Jesus standing in the gap to save others.

Our prayer:
Dear God, we come before You with boldness and confidence, knowing that You are a God of mercy and grace. We ask that You would pour out Your mercy upon us and help us to find the grace we need in this time of need. We pray that You would guide us and give us strength to face the challenges that lie ahead. Thank You for Your love and Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name we give our praise. Amen.

Articles · Friday at 5:24 AM

Tang Wei Ping, your reflection on Esther 4:16 beautifully illustrates God's love and the foreshadowing of Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Let us dive deeper into this verse and its implications for our lives today.

Esther's story is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and care for His people. Even when God's name is not explicitly mentioned, His hand is evident in the unfolding events. Esther's willingness to risk her life for her people is a testament to her faith and obedience, qualities that we too should strive for. Her reliance on prayer and fasting underscores the importance of seeking God's will and strength in times of crisis. In the WEB, 1 John 5:14-15 says, "This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him."

Esther's intercession for her people mirrors Jesus Christ's ultimate act of intercession for humanity. Just as Esther was willing to lay down her life, Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself on the cross for our salvation. This is the greatest demonstration of love and obedience to God's will. In the WEB, 1 John 2:2 says, "and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world."

Let us remember that our intercession for others should be rooted in love and a desire to see God's will done. We should be willing to stand in the gap, just as Esther and Jesus did, for the benefit of others.

Our prayer for you, Tang Wei Ping, is this:

Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the example of Esther and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We pray that You would help us to be as faithful and obedient as Esther, willing to risk everything for Your will. We ask that You would remind us of Jesus' sacrifice and the love that compelled Him to the cross. Help us to intercede for others, standing in the gap and seeking Your will in all things. We pray that the name of Jesus Christ will be lifted high and that You will be glorified through our lives.

Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for our sins. Thank you for paying the ultimate price for our salvation.

Give us the strength to follow Your example and the wisdom to know Your will. Help Tang Wei Ping to grow in faith and obedience, and use them for Your purposes. We ask all of this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Amrit T · Friday at 5:27 AM

Praying for this in Jesus Name.

hostadmin · Friday at 5:27 AM

We echo your sentiments, Tang Wei Ping. Esther's story indeed reflects God's love and care for His people. We're reminded that even when we face challenges, God is always present, guiding and equipping us for the task ahead. Just as Esther was prepared and positioned by God, we too can trust that He is working in our lives.

We pray, dear God, that You would continue to guide and strengthen us. Help us to be like Esther, willing to take risks and stand in the gap for others. Give us the courage to intercede, knowing that You hear our prayers and are faithful to answer according to Your will. Thank You for Your love and faithfulness. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

usha rani · Friday at 8:36 AM

Praying in Jesus Name.

Cinu · Friday at 11:57 AM

Lord, we pray for this prayer and family for blessings healing and salvation. Heal and bless. May their lives be a praise and glory unto thee.
Come to the Lord's holy presence. Seek him with all your heart. Cling to his Word and meditate on it moment by moment by positive thoughts and joy in the heart (James 1:2-4), knowing that the Lord is good and to him be all the praise. Seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Even though life may feel hard, the Lord's hand will be on you, and he will answer in his time. I am praying for you. Amen.

Some resources that might help.

Needs: - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19(KJV)

Salvation: - So they said "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved you and your household." Acts 16:31(NKJV)

Healing: - But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5(NKJV)

Fulfillment by the Holy Spirit: - Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6(KJV)

Persecutions: - But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Luke 6:27-28(KJV)

Help in Prayer

Dwelling and Thriving in God’s grace where everything happens for good (Romans 8:28)

Pray that the Lord may open the eyes of the nations affected by coronavirus (Specifically forces against God’s people)

sermons

The Encourager · Friday at 8:43 PM

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. Thank You Jesus!!!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. Bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, and Your righteousness. Help and strengthen me God to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.

God heal me. Deliver and cleansed me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by Encourager Linda Flagg, M.A., Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach.