Always Invited


Always Invited

“All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned that king has but one law; that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend his royal scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” Esther 4:11

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

 
The book of Esther is an amazing story of faith and courage. It is also a beautiful illustration of God’s love and protection for His people. Esther is chosen out of a large group of girls to be a replacement queen. She replaces a woman named Vashti who was foolish enough to defy her husband the king. Esther is well aware of how the king treats the people who don’t do exactly as he says. Still, her people, the Jews, are in deep trouble. They are about to annihilated if someone doesn’t do something. Guess who the someone is? Esther.
So she gets all excited, jumps up and runs to the king to talk him out of the plan, right? Not hardly! She fasts and prays. She asks her people to fast and pray and she listens to God. In complete obedience to her Lord she goes to speak to the king after telling her cousin Mordecai, “When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16b Wow! That’s faith.

Esther knows she is the only hope for the Jews. What we know by fact, she could only know by faith, God will not let His people be annihilated. But Esther didn’t know if she would survive. She knew only that no one was welcome in front of the king without an invitation.
Then there’s us. Our King is not some egocentric, image protecting tyrant who allows people with deep personal agendas to control him. Our King is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, God Most High. Do we need an invitation to approach His throne? Not anymore. Not since Jesus came and made Himself a perfect sacrifice for us.

Jesus is our invitation. We can “approach the throne of grace with confidence” because of Jesus’ love for us, a love that caused Him to give His life.
Esther was willing to risk her life. Jesus faced certain death and not the swift death Esther was risking. No, Jesus faced a prolonged, torturous death. Esther’s people were solidly behind her. They prayed and fasted for three days. Jesus’ friends, for the most part, ran. Some of them denied Him, one betrayed Him in a spectacular display of selfishness and cowardice. Jesus knew all of that was coming. Unlike Esther, He had no thought of reprieve. And look at the results.

By the death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ we can go to our King whenever, wherever and however we want. There is no reason to fear, no condemnation to face. When we approach the throne, we head straight into the arms of love.

Esther was born to face that risk and save her people. We are saved by Jesus, by grace and by the unending love of our Father and we were born to bring honor and glory to His name.

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