THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 6:6-11
“He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!'” (Esther 6:11)
God created every one of us as equal before Him, equally honored and valued.
It is the spirit of sin to prop oneself over others, and to crush those beneath.
It is indeed survival of the fittest in this world… but that is not God’s way.
Jesus comes to show us God’s way, to embody it and to teach it.
As a servant, He washes feet, welcomes sinners, blesses children, honors the lower classes.
And He constantly challenges the leaders to humility and mutual love.
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
Haman has to find out the hard way, through public humiliation.
God graciously gives all of us opportunities to learn humility.
Through Jesus He invites us into the love, joy and peace of humbling oneself.
But the day will come, if we refuse, where we will experience it the hard way.
Be sure of this, those who elevate themselves over others will be brought down.
And those who are at the bottom will be honored.
Why wait until that day to have humility forced upon us.
Why not accept His invitation now to step into the blessing of loving and serving others.
Join Jesus in descending into greatness, stepping down into honor!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, instead of seeking honor help me today to give as much honor to others as I can. Help me to experience the joy of lifting others up!
Observations/Application
Haman was puffed up.
Haman thought he was the answer.
Haman was full of himself and served himself for his own personal prestige and position. He was self seeking for the position of honour. All for Haman.
Man was not created to serve self but others. We are all servants of the King. Haman needed to show servant leadership. Instead of self serving the king told him to serve by leading Mordecai through the city to receive honours. How contrary to his plan.
Ouch.
What happened?
The last first and the first last.
God is in control and all things will happen as He desires. Live for Jesus and not self. We were created to serve and not demand service. We all need to be instruments of His peace, living for Jesus.
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.