The Table Has Turned

Whom do you identify with?

This is the question of the day, if you ask me. Who or what group do we “belong” to? We think this is a question for young people and teens, and it is, but the reality is all of us must ask and answer this question on a regular basis. The book of Esther is built upon the answer to the question of identity.

We are in an identity crisis.

As a nation, especially. This is what made the election what it was. Yet, this pandemic is causing an identity crisis for the church at large about what does it mean to be the church in these days? Beyond this each of us individually are answering questions we never thought we would have to ask.

Questions for the church include: what is our mission? How will we live out our beliefs faithfully yet wisely? What principles does Scripture teach about faith in a pandemic? How, and let me emphasize “HOW”, will this change the church? What role will technology and digital”ness” play in our church? There are no easy answers to these questions, nor do believe simple answers.

We need wisdom in speech.

A couple weeks ago we shared together a message titled, “Wisdom Over Power” and how we need to desire wisdom more than just being in charge and having power. The point was made that sometimes we must remember that to have influence we need to have a relationship. The question becomes, “how do I do this?” Especially with those who I disagree with. With those who I feel are “wrong”.

Less is more.

Esther does not go into a long monologue about how awful Haman is and recount every single detail about the past couple months or so. As it is written for us she mimics what the king has asked her in responding. She uses his words while adding her content. This is called active listening, and she was listening well!

Focus on the major issue.

Esther was not going to bother the king for just any reason, though she could have. She also didn’t get bogged down in the others issues at play in this drama, namely the king’s permission granting, the bribe paid (though it is probably alluded to in her remarks), how all of this could have been prevented, etc. etc.

Be comfortable with silence.

This is especially true as the scene unfolds and how Esther allows the King to go out in rage. She doesn’t follow him, nor does she try to provide him with his next actions. She waits.

We choose our actions.

Haman choose the path he was on. Scripture makes it clear that we as human beings are not “innocent”. Here is how Paul puts it,

Romans 3:23 NIV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

All are like Haman. Haman is me! Haman is you!! I do not believe that God ever sends someone to “hell” but instead God honors the choices we make in life at death.

Others choose our consequences.

We do not get to have it both ways. Haman wanted what he wanted. But in the end, even he realized the consequences of his choices are decided by others, the King and to some extent Queen Esther.

Who did Jesus identify with?

I started this message with a question about who we identify with. But, if that is all we answer we may be misled. Ultimately, it is not about me and what I want, or who I want to be around that matters. It is who Christ desires for His people, the Church, to be around that matters. His purposes and thoughts are more important than mine. Here is what he said,

Luke 4:18–19 NIV

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

He also said later on as he goes to how we are to live,

Luke 9:23–25 NIV

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

Jesus came to save others.

This was his mission. His mission was not about himself. Yes, he was revealing God by his actions but he was revealing that in God’s wisdom he cares about you and me. God does not just care about himself.

Jesus came to take us deeper.

How do we do this? I submit we do what he did. I close with the words of Paul

Philippians 2:5–11 NIV

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

He is our example. He is our salvation. He is our Hope. He is our everything!