Tonight at sundown, the Jewish Feast of Purim begins. The story behind the Feast is well know though not many people will recognize the name Purim. It is the Hebrew word for "lots" as in, casting lots. The story of Purim is the story of a young peasant girl of great beauty who was taken from her home and placed in the palace where she eventually became queen of a great kingdom. It is the story of a heroine who, with grace and courage, saves millions of lives. It is the story of Esther.

Many Christians are at least partially familiar with Esther's story: the young woman who, because of her beauty, found favor with a cruel king and was made his queen. Unknown to the king, the people of his new queen were to be annihilated by the king's wicked right-hand man; but with stunning courage, the queen confronts both the king and his head honcho and saves the lives of millions of people. 

The Feast of Purim is about rejoicing in the providential  protection and deliverance of the nation of Israel, and by extension, all the children of the promise. Because it's not a major feast like Passover or Yom Kippur, Purim is often over looked in the Messianic explanations of the Jewish feasts. But there are beautiful parallels in the story of Purim and Yeshua.

The first one that comes to mind is a section of my most favorite verses of the entire Bible. Revelation 19:11- 16.

 Now I saw the heaven opened, and behold a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of the Almighty God. And He has on His robe and His thigh a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

This is the picture of the ultimate Hero, Jesus. Just as the Jews have always had enemies that try to annihilate them, so we as Christians have an enemy that constantly seeks to destroy us. In the Purim story, the enemy is Haman, the king's head honcho. In your life and in mine, it's the Father of Lies. And like Esther in the Purim story, this warrior Jesus stood ready in our defense and committed the ultimate act of deliverance for the sake of His people at the cost of His own life. 

Someday, when the whole of creation is gathered to the marriage supper of the Lamb, we will celebrate Ha'Gadol Purim, the Great Purim. We will celebrate the deliverance of the Bride by her Hero and Bridegroom, Jesus the Warrior Lamb.