Esther Chapter 7 Haman Is Executed 1 The king and Haman came to feast with Esther the queen. 2 Once again, on the second day while drinking wine, the king asked Esther, “Queen Esther, whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you seek, even to half the kingdom, will be done.” 3 Queen Esther answered, “If I have obtained your approval, my king, and if the king is pleased, spare my life—[this is] my request; and [spare] my people—[this is] my desire. 4 For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and extermination. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept silent. Indeed, the trouble wouldn’t be worth burdening the king 5 King Ahasuerus spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?” 6 Esther answered, “The adversary and enemy is this evil Haman.” Haman stood terrified before the king and queen. 7 Angered by this, the king arose from where they were drinking wine and [went to]the palace garden. Haman remained to beg Queen Esther for his life because he realized the king was planning something terrible for him. 8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the house of wine drinking, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually violate the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the statement left the king’s mouth, Haman’s face was covered. 9 Harbona, one of the royal eunuchs, said: “There is a gallows 75 feet tall at Haman’s house that he made for Mordecai, who [gave]the report that saved the king.” The king commanded, “Hang him on it.” 10 They hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s anger subsided. Today, we see the evil Haman getting his just reward. Haman, who had no feelings about killing an entire nation, begs for his life.  What caused Haman’s downfall?  First, he did not worship the only God; Haman worshipped himself.  Haman was greedy.  Haman wanted power; he wanted Mordecai to bow down to him. Unbelievers are not the only people with problems such as Haman.  The disciples also desired recognition and power. Mark 9:33-37 Who is the Greatest? 33 Then they came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, because on the way they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, He called the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a child, had him stand among them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one little child such as this in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me, but Him who sent Me.” The Bible is full of teachings that seem to contradict themselves:             The first will be last.             The last will be first.             The greatest shall be least.             The least shall be the greatest.             The greatest shall be servant of all.             The poor are rich.             The rich are poor. What is a servant?  A servant is someone who is controlled by another.  A servant must think of the Master and others before he thinks of himself.  A servant is obedient.  A servant is quick to obey.  A servant has no opinion.  A servant is humble. The disciples wanted to rule; they wanted the authority.  Jesus said the way to become great was to become like a little child.  That is not to become childish, but childlike. Haman was childish.  He was self-centered, hard to satisfy, greedy, mean, a murderer, power hungry…  Esther was childlike.  She was humble, obedient, willing to take great risk for others, others-centered, easily satisfied. Jesus was called a servant. Philippians 2:7-8 (KJV) 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. How did Jesus serve?  He washed feet, fed the hungry, touched the sick and unclean, loved children, healed women and men, ate with sinners and tax collectors, and crossed social and racial barriers to witness. How can we serve - as women, as Sisters Who Care?  How can we be servants?  We wash and clean and feed the hungry.   We touch the sick – both our families and our neighbors and church family and the lost.  We touch the unclean; we reach out to the poor and the misfits and the mistreated and the forsaken.  We love children – even when they are unlovable.  We heal women and men by being faithful in prayer and attentive to their needs – physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, financial, and relational.  We do not fear to be seen with those who have been labeled as sinners. We do not let social and racial barriers prevent us from serving.  We love God; and we love people. What is holding you back?  Pride?  Fear?  Prejudice?  Who do you shy away from and refuse to serve?  Sometimes prejudice isn’t racial or ethnic; it can be social status or fear of risking ridicule that holds us back. Don’t let Satan win!  Serve!  Serve the Master!  No one is greater than his master!  And our Master was a servant!  He set the Example!!! **Lord Jesus, please overcome any fears or prejudices or preconceived ideas that are keeping me from reaching out to my family, my neighbors, my community, and my church.  Forgive me for respect of persons.  Forgive me for letting my pride prevent me from being a servant.  Thank You for setting the example.  Amen.