SCRIPTURE: Esther 6
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai, placed him on the king’s own horse, and led him through the city square, shouting, “This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honour!” Afterward Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home dejected and completely humiliated. [Esther 6:11-12]
The plot twists, the tables are turned, Haman is going down while Mordecai is rising!
It is a masterful story, and the Author of this tale continues to write stories like this.
We are a part of a similar story, though we may not yet be at the part when things turn around.
We can read this story in light of the big story, the story of God’s kingdom restoration.

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God. And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then. [Luke 13:28-30]
Jesus describes this big story, and shows how the plot twists, and the tables are turned here too.
The people that will enter the kingdom will not be the least important ones, while the greatest ones will not.
Ego and pride are the very things that turn people away from God and make them selfish, cruel, heartless.
These are the things that have ruined God’s creation paradise; they will not find a place in its final restoration.
God is looking for humble servants that He can honour; people who are not full of themselves but rather empty themselves for God and for people.

I expect that the weeping and gnashing of teeth will not be because of the cruel torture of hell; rather it will be the painful experience of being humbled, the dejection and humiliation that Haman felt.
To me, hell will be God finally giving people what they want – an eternity without God interfering with their lives, an eternity of selfishness and greed and the misery it brings.
God wants everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9], to honestly face their sin and humble themselves before God, so that they can be saved.
God wants everyone to join the feast (symbol of His restored creation kingdom), but sadly people who are full of themselves have no room for God and His goodness.
People from all over the world will be a part of this great event; God will honour them and crown them with glory: this is what the King does for someone He wishes to honour!

But the way to experience this is the path of humility and repentance.
To be honest about our sin and selfishness, to admit the ways we dishonour God and people for our own gain.
This kind of repentance is not just saying sorry, it is hatred for that sinful, selfish kind of living and a commitment to become selfless and generous, compassionate and kind.
These are the qualities that seem weak, but in God’s sight are great!
These are the kind of people God wants to honour, the kind of people that will enjoy the kingdom banquet.

What kind of person am I? Am I more wrapped up in myself, my own comfort, my needs?
Am I so full of myself that I have little room for God and others?
These are the very qualities that lead to dejection and humiliation, to weeping and gnashing of teeth.
But those who are humble, honest, gracious, generous, selfless, these are the ones that God will honour!

PRAYER:
Lord, as I write these words, I sense how wrapped up in myself I still am. It is this self-centered focus that is keeping me from experiencing Your joy and blessing. Help me be the kind of person You can honour and bless!