“For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?" (ESV)

There’s nothing I love much more than a good story, and Esther’s story has it all: rags to riches, attempted murder, a life-or-death situation, and a bad guy who got what he deserved.  

‍

Esther, an orphaned Jewish girl, was raised by her cousin Mordecai during a time when the Israelites were under the control of King Ahasuerus, ruler of the Persian Empire. King Ahasuerus began looking for a wife and brought in the most beautiful girls in the kingdom to select a queen from among them. Esther is eventually chosen, and life seems great until she learns from Mordecai that the king’s right-hand man, Haman, is plotting to kill all the Jews. Worried, Esther tries to figure out how to tell the king, but no one can enter his presence without permission. If they do, they will be put to death, unless the king holds out his golden scepter.  

‍

From this comes one of the most quoted lines from the Book of Esther, as Mordecai tells her, “And who knows whether you have not come into the kingdom for such a time as this?” (4:14b). Esther bravely goes before the king, and he mercifully lowers his scepter, giving Esther the opportunity to speak with him. Esther invites the king to a dinner feast she prepares, and she is able to reveal what Haman had been plotting, eventually saving the entire nation of Israel.  

Not many of us will probably have an “Esther” opportunity to do something huge like save an entire people group, but we all have the option to choose others over ourselves on a daily basis. Often, it might be small things that are easy to do, like allowing a car to merge in front of you even though you’re in a hurry, stopping to pray for a friend, or bringing a meal to someone in need.  

‍

Perhaps, though, it is something a little riskier, like inviting a coworker to church, sharing your faith, or a chance to speak up about something that is wrong, like Esther did. I’m reminded of Philippians 2:4-5 and 8 which says, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

‍

Esther was willing to sacrifice herself to save her people, but Jesus was sacrificed to save the whole world. When we think about how we should care for others more than ourselves, Jesus is the one we should model our actions after. It won’t always be easy. In fact, Jesus says that following him will be difficult (John 16:33), but we can be assured that it will always be worth it, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).  

‍

Where today can you choose to put someone else above yourself? How can you set aside society’s pedestal of self-preservation and instead humble yourself, as Jesus did? If you’re not sure, take a moment to pray, asking the Holy Spirit to show you how to better care for others above yourself.  

Lord, it’s so easy to fall back into a “me-first” mindset when everything around us screams that we should be the top priority of our own lives. Forgive us for all the times we don’t treat others with respect and love. Help us see others around us as you see them, dearly beloved and created in your image. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus so that everything we do will reflect Jesus to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.