 Do you remember Haman’s plan to annihilate the Jewish people? Well, that’s where I want to begin this week.
“In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar” (Esth. 3:7 ESV).  Do you remember Mordecai’s life-saving feat to save King Ahasuerus from assassination? Despite his service to Ahasuerus, Mordecai’s favor is ignored. King Ahasuerus doesn’t give Mordecai any reward or recognition for saving his life. And this becomes even more obvious as the next verse reads, “After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him” (Esth. 3:1 ESV).
 His body abused. His hands hammered into wood. Feet smashed against a splintery cross. Blood pouring down His arms and legs. A crown of thorns poking into His forehead. And insults being thrown at Him left and right.
This is Jesus. The King of the Jews. Murdered on a cross for the sins of humanity. And on this Good Friday, we remember His perfect sacrifice unto the Father. We reflect upon the beauty of Christ’s perfect life and substitutionary death.  Have you ever been in the right place at the right time? A couple of years ago, I was at my house when I received a phone call saying my neighbor had fallen in the driveway. I was the only one home at the time, so I quickly went next door and assisted. But in that moment, I realized that I was in the right place at the right time. After all, if I hadn’t been home, my neighbor might’ve been on the ground much longer.
I’m sure you can think of instances in your life when either you or someone else was in the right place at the right time.  The story of Esther unfolds in a kingdom—the Persian Empire of King Ahasuerus. And as followers of Christ, we exist for a King and His eternal Kingdom.
This week, we read how Esther is prepared for her one-night stand with King Ahasuerus. We read how she presents herself to the king. And how he throws a celebration in her honor. But we belong to a Kingdom with a better King named Jesus Christ. So, with that in mind, let’s see how we experience a better preparation, presentation, and celebration than Esther. |