February 29 A Good Ambassador

Esther 4:12-14 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
 
ESTHER and Mordecai are having a dialogue. Much has been written about the question, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” and rightly so. The question is one that calls us to account. It is a soul-stirring reminder we are sometimes called to difficult circumstances for the opportunity to magnificently represent God.
    We’ll look at that question, though, more tomorrow. But today let’s focus on some “ignored people” here. These are Esther’s servants. Isn’t it fascinating to note how such a critical conversation between Esther and Mordecai is through a third party? The “they” and the “them” in this passage is likely Hathach, who is named in verse 10 and others who serve Esther in the king’s harem. In addition, there are those who serve Mordecai in the king’s court.
    These messengers teach us a life-giving lesson as we claim membership in the Kingdom of God. As Hathach and others represented Esther’s and Mordecai’s words to each other, they acted as ambassadors. An ambassador is one who represents the leader of his nation to another nation’s leader. His main purpose is to accurately convey the thoughts, words and policies of the leader he represents. Many of these messages between nations can be very significant. At times, the accuracy of the messages can affect policy for many years. Sometimes misconstrued words can cause breakdown in relationships or even war.
     Are you a Christian, a citizen of the Kingdom of God? Then Haltech and the others are good examples for you. You represent the King of Kings. You are an ambassador from the King, assigned to carry a very critical message to a world already engaged in a war of eternal consequences.
    The Apostle Paul made that point in 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. Understand that Paul’s “imploring” is his great urging for the church to be together in their great purpose. Note, too, the power of a messenger to affect others as recorded in Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. Messengers can disrupt. Messengers can heal.
    God was using Haltech and the others for the purpose of the Jews’ salvation just as much as he was using Esther and Mordecai. If any one of these three parties was not engaged in the conversation to act into God’s purpose “for such a time as this” our Sovereign Lord would have raised up others to do the work. As Mordecai states, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place.” we are reminded that when the Lord calls, we have the privilege to respond and see him at work for the salvation of many.
    From generation to generation, God chooses his ambassadors to convey his message of salvation. Being an ambassador is a highly desired appointment in our government. Rejoice God has so appointed you. Join in the mission. Be a joyful ambassador to convey Jesus’ most critical message into a broken world.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for inviting me to work with you. As I say, “I am a Christian.” remind me each day that what I say and do represents you. Amen.