Christ, Our Ultimate Queen EstherSample

Esther’s story reminds us that we’re all born into this world saddled with a legacy of spiritual death that we’re impotent to change or reverse. Her story also reminds us of Jesus who became a human like us in every way, to fully identify with us in our spiritual impotence.

We pick up the story in the book of Esther where the Jews throughout Persia are weeping and fasting in sackcloth and ashes to show their desperation in the face of Haman’s genocidal plot (Esther 4:1–3). Mordecai does the same, right at the entrance of the King’s palace where he knows he’ll be noticed. Word is brought to Esther, who in turn sends her assistant to find out what Mordecai is doing. She learns about Haman’s evil plans to exterminate her people. Mordecai then sends Esther a message urging her to act on behalf of the people by pleading their case before the king. Esther replies, in effect, ‘Are you crazy?’ Approaching the king uninvited was a death sentence. But Mordecai is insistent. He reminds Esther of her unique, powerful position in the palace, and inspires her by saying, ‘Maybe you were born for such a time as this.’

God has placed Esther on the throne even before the Jews face the threat of complete destruction so that in these dangerous circumstances, she is positioned to help. By this time, Esther has been queen for four years, but still, no one in the royal court knows she’s Jewish. She’s taking an enormous risk identifying herself with her people, but she understands that it’s also the only way she can help them. Esther sends word back to Mordecai, asking him to get all the Jews in Susa to fast for her as she prepares to approach the king.

Again, we see Jesus in this story. Like Esther, He wasn’t initially recognised for who He really was (John 1:10–11). Like Esther, who lowered herself by wholly identifying with her people, Jesus became in every way like us through His incarnation, so that He could identify with us and plead our case before the King of kings (Hebrews 2:14–18).

Perhaps, in your current circumstances, you feel as if God doesn’t see what you’re going through, or He doesn’t care. Please know that whatever you’re facing right now, Jesus completely identifies with you, in every possible way. He sees you, He loves you, and He can rescue you.