When You Know You're Going to Die

At some point, you're going to die. I know this is hard to hear but it's also important to realize. An important question is: "How should you live when you know you are dying?" Esther entered the royal harem and was selected among all as queen and in many ways, it had to cause her to think she was truly alive. But she was still dying, as we all are. No matter how high you climb, you're still dying. No matter who loves you or admires you, you're still dying. 

And I would like to suggest something to you. 

You don't start really living until you are ready to die for something. 

That is the place Esther came to in Esther 4 after Mordecai's stinging rebuke to her for hesitating to step in to save her people. The phrase that must have clinched it for her were these words, "if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish." (Esther 4:14). In other words, you're going to die one way or another, so start doing something that matters!

Here's the principle: Use your life for something that outlives you. Esther gets the message and this is her refrain in the chapter:

Esther 4:16 (ESV) “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.”

The transition that Esther makes here is a pattern for us all. The fool thinks he will live and not die. Remember Jesus' parable of the rich fool who had a bumper crop and considered what to do? His first thought was to build bigger barns and store it up all for himself. He then said to himself, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” (Luke 12:19). But the first word from heaven was clear:

Luke 12:20–21 (ESV) But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

What are you living for? If it is for temporal things that are all about you, God in heaven considers you a fool. Esther had to be challenged by Mordecai to consider the hard facts - death is inevitable, only those who use their life for something beyond them really matters. In the Gospel, we are to use our time, our talents, and our TREASURE to see people come to Christ. 

That means supporting a Church with your MONEY and TIME and EFFORTS to see people come from the outside and be saved by the preaching of the Gospel. That means using your earthly goods in service to others as a light and testimony to them. 

And for Esther, it meant taking a risk in Persia and not just enjoying the benefits of Persia. She calls for the people to fast for her (we can assume prayer was included). And what a lesson for us. If we are going to move forward in the Gospel, fasting and prayer are a necessity. I believe it was the fasting and prayers of the people that turned the heart of Xerxes toward her in favor. 

Esther 5:2 (ESV) And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. "

Now, look at one more detail. The king SAW her and she won his favor. I believe that points to one other skill the Church desperately needs if she's going to make an impact in our society. The Church must stay attractive. Do not think that if Esther had simply prayed the king (so full of himself and his own glory) would have noticed. Sadly many Churches feel the only important thing is to be faithful in prayer. No, you also have to be shrewd toward your audience. Make them notice you. God's anointing and your work at attracting will be a potent mix in the mission of Jesus.