What does it means to be a leader as a disciple of Jesus. I know some people may be saying, “OK cool, that’s not me, I’m not in leadership.” But here’s the reality...In the body of Christ, everyone has a leadership role.
Hebrews 13:7 “7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
Is there someone in your life that you have looked to as a spiritual leader? Is their life of faith something that you would want to imitate? This verse is calling you to imitate their spiritual leadership to draw others to follow your faith. Is that what your faith looks like when you look into the mirror of God’s Word?
Whether you realize it or not, as a citizen of heaven, God has given you a position of leadership influence in His kingdom. The question is, what are you doing with your position? Are you using your influence for kingdom expansion, or your own personal benefit?
The area that you have been called to lead may look very different than the area someone else has been called to. But that does not make your area any less important than theirs.
The book of Esther offers several leadership examples for us. Some good and some bad. The main characters in the story are king Ahasuerus (rhymes with Lazarus), Esther, Mordecai and Haman. They were all leaders in different ways.
The Jewish people were in captivity in under king Ahasuerus of Persia. Haman was his top advisor. Esther was the queen and Mordecai was her cousin, but raised her as a father because she was an orphan. King Ahasuerus and Haman are Persian. Esther and Mordecai are Jews. King Ahasuerus loves Esther, but Haman hates Mordecai.
Esther 1:10-12 “10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman,Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King
Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him.”
The king had a different queen before Esther comes on the scene, but she refused to do what the king told her...and that did not work out too well for her. The main thing we see in the king is that when things don’t go his way, he gets enraged quickly. His temper was out of control.
How did Ahasuerus become king? He inherited it from his father Darius the Great. Darius was the first king of the Persian empire. Nepotism was alive and well in the ancient world. There isn’t much worse than a leader who hasn’t earned their position. This can create an entitled, spoiled, selfish leader.
Have you witnessed this leadership style before? A spoiled leader who loses control if they don’t get their way? How about you? Do you make rash decisions in a moment of anger? We are called to be slow to anger.
James 1:19-20 “19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Here is a kingdom principle: Do not make a permanent decision because of a temporary situation. This is exactly what the king did. In his temporary anger, king Ahasuerus decides to permanently replace his queen.
Esther 2:3-4 “3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the citadel, under custody of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women. Let their cosmetics be given them. 4 And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the king, and he did so.”
They held a beauty pageant, and Esther was in it. Mordecai advised Esther to conceal her nationality, because she was a Jew. He kept an eye on her progress from a distance.
Esther 2:10-11 ”10 Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known. 11 And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.”
This process of choosing a new queen took a year, but Esther was faithful to do everything she was told in preparation. In humility Esther followed Mordecai’s instruction and the instructions of those who worked with her in the palace during this process.
Esther 2:17 “17 the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.”
Esther becomes the new queen and is now in authority over all those who she once followed. God has exalted her to queen, but we will soon see that she continues to be humble and listen to the advice of others.
Once you get a position of authority is it “my way or the highway?” Can you still accept council from those below your position? Can you be in authority and still remain under authority?
Esther did not allow the power to go to her head. She was changed in position...but not in heart. The other person who remained unchanged was Mordecai.
Mordecai remained outside the kings gate. He did not demand that queen Esther, the girl he raised as his own daughter, bring him into the palace and give him a position of authority.
What would you expect, if you helped someone get a big promotion? Would you expect a payback or could you be content to be patient and let God raise you up in His timing?
God may be keeping you in a lower position for a very specific reason that He will reveal later. Are you OK with that? I hope so, because the leadership we are called to as believers is servant leadership. We lead from wherever our king places us.
Esther 2:21-23 “21 In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay
hands on King Ahasuerus. 22 And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai. 23 When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows. And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.”
Mordecai heard about the plot to kill the king and so he told Esther, who then in turn told the king. Notice this. Esther did not take credit for this herself, but made sure to give credit to who the credit was due. And so it was written in the official records. Great leaders don’t take the credit for the accomplishments of others.
Esther 3:1-2 “After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were withhim. 2 And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage.”
Here’s a little background for Haman. Haman hated the Jewish people, because he was a descendent of the Amalekites. The Amalekites were long-time enemies of the Jews. They had attacked the Israelites when they left Egypt...and for that, God told King Saul to destroy them. But of course, Saul failed to obey God’s command.
Haman’s leadership style is what we see mostly in corporate America...and dare I say also churches. Haman was a leader who demanded respect. He’s driven by pride and arrogance, so when Mordecai did not bow to him, it enraged him.
Esther 3:6 “6 But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.”
Haman tells the King of this great offense and says that the Jewish people who are among his kingdom don’t keep his laws. The king tells Haman to do with them as he sees fit. Haman has paperwork drawn up written in the king’s name, that allows the Jewish people to be attacked on a certain day and uses the Kings signet ring to seal it.
Esther 4:1 “When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry.”
Esther heard that Mordecai was upset and sent a guy to find out what was wrong.
Esther 4:7-8 “ 7 and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries for the destruction of theJews. 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.”
Now here is where Esther’s leadership is put to the test. You see, if anyone, even the queen, approached the king without being summoned, they would be put to death. The only way to avoid this was if the king held out his scepter which granted permission for them to approach. Esther sends word to Mordecai of this danger and tells him she has not been summoned for 30 days.
Esther 4:13-14 “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?”
This is Mordecai’s famous statement about God’s plan to save the Jewish nation through Esther. Her favor and promotion to queen was not for her own benefit, but for the salvation of her nation. The question was whether or not she was willing to risk her life to do it. This was her reply.
Esther 4:15-16 “ 15 Then Esther told them to reply toMordecai, 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.”
Esther asks for everyone to fast for three days on her behalf. Is your first instinct to seek God’s will by prayer and fasting? Esther finishes with a strong statement. “If I perish, I perish.” She agreed to do what Mordecai asked her to do because it was the right thing to do, even though it wasn’t legal.
What will you do when that time comes? Are you steadfast enough in Christ to stand up for Him, no matter the cost?
There are missionaries in the Middle East who are working with Muslims in the 90’s. They have seen many conversions to Christianity. They are hearing time after time of stories about Muslims who had the same dream where Jesus comes to them and tells them how much He loves them.
If they act on this dream, it will cost them...possibly their life.
When they talk to the missionaries about converting, the missionaries ask them two questions. The first is: Are you willing to suffer for Jesus? And the second is: Are you willing to die for Jesus? This is what is a stake for them. Follow Jesus and live under a death threat or ignore the dream. I’ll ask again. What about you?
Esther 5:1-2 “On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 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. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.”
The king allows Esther to approach and asks what she wants. She tells him that before she presents her request, she would like him to attend a feast she has prepared for he and also Haman. So the king calls for Haman and they attend the feast and afterward when they are happy the king says: What is your request? Esther once again says that she would like to have them come to another feast the next day and she will tell him her request then. The king agrees.
Here is where things start to turn. Haman goes home, being very proud of himself that he was invited with the king to these feasts. But on his way he sees Mordecai...who again does not bow to him. This sets him off and he tells his family and friends about it.
Esther 5:12-14 “12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet
all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.” 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.”
That same night the king could not sleep, so he requested that the book of records be brought to him so he could read. Now guess what he came across? The writing about Mordecai alerting him to the plot against his life. He asked his servants what had been done to honor Mordecai for this act. They replied that nothing had been done. This needs to be corrected.
Now it just so happens the next morning Haman was set to have a meeting with the king to ask if it would be Ok to hang Mordecai. But before he could say anything, the king has a question for him. This is about to become the worst day of Haman’s life.
Esther 6:6-10 “6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” 7 And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. 9 And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” 10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.”
Not only does Haman not get to hang Mordecai, he has to parade him around the city and honor him publicly.
That same evening the king and Haman attend the second feast, and the king again asks Esther what is her request. She then tells him about the edict that was written his name to kill all of her people, the Jews. The king has this response.
Esther 7:5-6 “5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared to do this?” 6 And Esther said, “A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.”
One of the king’s servants told him about the gallows that Haman had built to hang Mordecai, so the king commanded that Haman be hung on those very gallows immediately.
Esther 8:1-2 “On that day King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her. 2 And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.”
In the end, Mordecai was given all the possessions of his enemy Haman.
Let’s recap the leadership examples we’ve seen in this story.
The king was a leader who was easily influenced by others because he had no idea what was really going on behind the scenes. He was in charge, but was not leading at all. This is not the kind of leadership we are supposed to exhibit as disciples of Jesus.
Haman was a selfish leader who only cared about his own ambitions. He allowed pride and arrogance to drive his decisions. His pride drove his anger and this eventually brought about his own destruction.
Mordecai used his influence from behind the scenes. He didn’t need to be the one in the spotlight. He was strong enough to resist bowing to anyone but God. This is the kind of leadership we all have the opportunity to exhibit.
Esther led her people to salvation by being committed even to death if necessary. She used the position that God had placed her in for God’s purpose, not her own. She was more concerned for others than for herself. This kind of selfless servant leadership is what we are called to as disciples of Jesus.
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