Step up

*8*Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people. *9*And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. *10*Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, *11*“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”
*12*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?” *15*Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, *16*“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” *17*Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
Esther 4:8–17.

One thing that strikes me as I read these verses is the intensity and beauty of the relationship between Mordecai and Esther. Eventhough here all they seem to do is command and order each other, underpinning these instructions is a mutual love, respect and honour. We can know this as neither of them become annoyed or offended by what the other says. Plus, in all reality as their conversation was held with a third person interpreting their words, it is likely the conversation was not as brief as recorded here. Esther and Mordecai show a mutual trust and understanding of one another, and both are mutually submissive.They listen to and undertake the commands of one another, isn't that beautiful? They implicitly trust each other, and have great love and respect between them. Esther is even willing to obey Mordecai if it cost her very life. Can you imagine loving someone that much? She becomes prepared to exchange her life for that of Mordecai and the rest of her people.

In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus says, ‘Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends’ (John 15:13).

Esther is carrying this very mortifying challenge in her life at this point. How much does she love her life versus how much does she love her; nation, friends and family? She carries the weight of responsibility for what she needs to do that may well lead to her death. She, scarily still takes up the cause of the Jews even though the reality is, as she has seen and heard before, she could be brutally murdered.
Incredibly, she does not plan an escape, but takes not the responsibility for her people rather than caring for herself. Then, she, like Jesus, puts the outcome into God’s almighty hands. Jesus went to Gethsemane with his disciples to pray, Esther went into the palace with her ‘young women’, also to pray. Can you imagine the sorrow, the laments, the distress of that time? Can you even begin to understand the devastation and impending doom of your life ending? Those moments between prayers, decision and action must of been fraught with worry, tears, heartache and even preparation for death. Not many of us have to live with that as a reality. Esther did, and just as she was prepared to give her life in the hopes that others may be saved, Jesus did the same. No doubt both were filled with anguish and despair, yet they did not allow their own feelings get in the way of the responsibility they were to take.

Esther stepped up to save a people group, she put aside her own fears and worries, the consequences to herself she outnumbered by the consequences to that of the people she was a part of. Her decision to act for others could have led to her death. Yet, she still made it. She knew it was right. Now, not many of us will have to make decisions that will result in our death in order for others to have life, but don’t we in comparison, find the small things difficult to do? Even when our life is not threatened, aren’t we still scared to stand up for what is right? Aren’t we still scared to help the outcast? Tell people about our faith? Fight for what we know is wrong? Speak out against the trends of the world?

If we are so scared when our life doesn’t depend on it, how would we react if it does?

Esther stepped up to save a people group, Jesus stepped up to save the world, what are you going to step up for?