Recently we saw the Sight & Sound production of Queen Esther. Having also recently studied the book of Esther, we were looking forward to seeing how they would bring this Bible account, filled with storylines that would make a good Lifetime movie, to their family-friendly stage. The production was fabulous–the sets are simply magnificent, and the live animals and the background street scenes really did a lot to bring you into the story. Of course, they took some artistic license in rounding out the story, as nearly all productions of Bible material do, which always makes me somewhat uncomfortable, but overall, they did a great job of making a production suitable for all ages while still portraying the harsh realities (though in some cases, you would have to be familiar with the material to pick up on the references).
But there is one very compelling scene in the Bible account that returned to the forefront of my thoughts recently. The part where Esther is contemplating approaching the king to ask that her people be spared. In short, an evil person in a high position plotted to kill all the Jews, tricking the king into following his plan. Since Esther (who by the way is Jewish) was queen, her uncle told her to go to the king and beg that her people be spared. Her immediate thought, and her reply to her uncle, was that “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives…” (Esther 4:11) This was a very real fear, but her faith in Yahweh helped her act on behalf of her people despite this risk. You can read all about it in the Bible book of Esther.
A few weeks ago, our pastor was expounding on Romans 7. As he reminded us how our own best efforts will inevitably fall short of saving ourselves, this throne room scene blazed in my mind’s eye, and I thought of Jesus–specifically the cross of Christ–being the golden scepter. Jesus’ death and resurrection was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His return to life enables Him to now stand forever as our priest–our advocate before Father God. In essence, Jesus Himself became that golden scepter forever extended to all those who will acknowledge our own helplessness to adequately pay for our sins. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. As Esther, or anyone in the Persian kingdom, would have trembled to approach the throne of King Xerxes, so anyone ought to tremble to approach the throne of the Ruler of all Creation. But Hebrews says we come boldly before the throne of grace. Xerxes’ throne was a throne that inspired trembling and fear. You might want to have your entire community pray for a few days before you dare approach it (that’s what Esther did). Jesus’ throne is a throne of grace; one we can come boldly before.
Boldly, not proudly. This freedom is ours not because we are worthy to approach the throne–we are all sinners and therefore unworthy. This freedom is ours because of the gracious gift of Jesus, and His death as our substitute. We don’t come on our own merit. We come boldly, knowing that Jesus’ righteousness covers all our sins. We come boldly, knowing that His blood was the sacrifice required to atone for our guilt. Wondering whether this applies to you? I mean, how can we know for sure that the scepter will be extended to you? Look at what Jesus Himself said to His disciples:
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty…whoever comes to me I will never drive away…this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day…For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
John 6: 35-40
May you today feel that grace inviting you to come boldly before the throne of the Living God. And if you have any hesitation or anxiety at the thought, may you think of the cross of Christ and the words of those verses above and realize that God has forever extended the scepter to the one who trusts in Jesus.
