The Book of Esther introduces us to a king called Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces which stretched from India to Cush (the upper Nile region). King Xerxes decided to hold two banquets, with the second one being for 7 days, and for the least to the greatest in the citadel of Susa.
Esther 1:8 says, "By the the king's command each guest was allowed to drink in his own way, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished."
I looked up the word "command" after thinking: "what do you mean he commanded each guest to be allowed to drink...what kind of order is that?" Then I saw that it meant: "authoritative order", i.e. to show that he was in charge.
This brought a whole new aspect...
Esther 1:8 says, "By the the king's command each guest was allowed to drink in his own way, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished."
I looked up the word "command" after thinking: "what do you mean he commanded each guest to be allowed to drink...what kind of order is that?" Then I saw that it meant: "authoritative order", i.e. to show that he was in charge.
This brought a whole new aspect...
Jesus came on earth with authority. He gave commands on how everyone who believed in him was free to drink of the living water (it also makes me think of when He went against social norms to talk to the Samaritan woman as 1. She was a woman and 2. She was a Samaritan! It was there He wanted to show her the authority He had by offering her water that would never make her thirsty (John 4:14).
I'm sure it was the same with King Xerxes' party. If he had to go out of his way to issue a "authoritative order" that everyone there was free to drink, then I'm assuming that after the party, the social norms would have gone back to the "norm" where the least were treated as their "title", and the greatest as theirs.
Jesus invited all to drink of the cup of living water. He didn't just want Jews, but Gentiles, and everyone else great or "not great" by society's norms. It says: "There is neither Jew or Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ" (Galations 3:28).
So, you're invited :)
Imagine if king Xerxes who ruled over 127 PROVINCES invited you to his PRIVATE garden at his PALACE (verse 5) where it was decked out in GOLD (dude, the couches were gold...), MARBLE PILLARS, with silver on the mosaic pavement of porphyry (whatever that is, but it it sounds great already!)...ummm, yes please! Nom nom to all the food that we will be able to taste and see!
THIS is what Christ has invited you to, a party held by the Most High.
I'm not talking about some garden party here (no offense King Xerxes), but a REAL party where the angels celebrate once you accept the invitation ("In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents"-Luke 15:10).
Once the people accepted the invitation to King Xerxes' banquet, they were told that they could have as much as they wanted. He even gave authoritative order to his stewards to SERVE each man what they wished to have.
Once you've accepted this invitation, the one in Authority says: "I came to give you LIFE in abundance," He says: "All this is yours", He says: "You can now approach the heavenly throne of GRACE with CONFIDENCE", He says: "You shall not fear, you are in MY domain, MY territory, and I'm the one who invited YOU, so I'll make sure to PROTECT YOU." Amen! What victory!
Well, King Xerxes' exlcusive party ended centuries ago, and I'm sure some next party you're either invited to or not invited to will end at some point as well, but there's another party you're invited to, and it's the one I've been talking about.
So where is this place you're invited? Check out the invitation:
What: A party! Come one, come all! This party is to enter into a relationship with Christ, and to be His special guest at the upcoming banquet (Isaiah 25:6-9)! It's a party to live eternal life, to fulfill God's purpose for your life, to have eternal love & to enter the kingdom of heaven!
Who: You! You're invited! Bring anyone you'd like, there's enough room and much to drink!
When: Now! Don't delay!
Where: Right where you are :) But no worries, after a while you'll be specially chauffeured to a wonderful location.
Why: Because Jesus loves you very much and under his absolute authority (command), He said that you were worth dying for and serving you with His precious blood so you might live eternally and reign with Him).
R.S.V.P & Directions: Go to our Good News Page!
I'm sure it was the same with King Xerxes' party. If he had to go out of his way to issue a "authoritative order" that everyone there was free to drink, then I'm assuming that after the party, the social norms would have gone back to the "norm" where the least were treated as their "title", and the greatest as theirs.
Jesus invited all to drink of the cup of living water. He didn't just want Jews, but Gentiles, and everyone else great or "not great" by society's norms. It says: "There is neither Jew or Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ" (Galations 3:28).
So, you're invited :)
Imagine if king Xerxes who ruled over 127 PROVINCES invited you to his PRIVATE garden at his PALACE (verse 5) where it was decked out in GOLD (dude, the couches were gold...), MARBLE PILLARS, with silver on the mosaic pavement of porphyry (whatever that is, but it it sounds great already!)...ummm, yes please! Nom nom to all the food that we will be able to taste and see!
THIS is what Christ has invited you to, a party held by the Most High.
I'm not talking about some garden party here (no offense King Xerxes), but a REAL party where the angels celebrate once you accept the invitation ("In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents"-Luke 15:10).
Once the people accepted the invitation to King Xerxes' banquet, they were told that they could have as much as they wanted. He even gave authoritative order to his stewards to SERVE each man what they wished to have.
Once you've accepted this invitation, the one in Authority says: "I came to give you LIFE in abundance," He says: "All this is yours", He says: "You can now approach the heavenly throne of GRACE with CONFIDENCE", He says: "You shall not fear, you are in MY domain, MY territory, and I'm the one who invited YOU, so I'll make sure to PROTECT YOU." Amen! What victory!
Well, King Xerxes' exlcusive party ended centuries ago, and I'm sure some next party you're either invited to or not invited to will end at some point as well, but there's another party you're invited to, and it's the one I've been talking about.
So where is this place you're invited? Check out the invitation:
What: A party! Come one, come all! This party is to enter into a relationship with Christ, and to be His special guest at the upcoming banquet (Isaiah 25:6-9)! It's a party to live eternal life, to fulfill God's purpose for your life, to have eternal love & to enter the kingdom of heaven!
Who: You! You're invited! Bring anyone you'd like, there's enough room and much to drink!
When: Now! Don't delay!
Where: Right where you are :) But no worries, after a while you'll be specially chauffeured to a wonderful location.
Why: Because Jesus loves you very much and under his absolute authority (command), He said that you were worth dying for and serving you with His precious blood so you might live eternally and reign with Him).
R.S.V.P & Directions: Go to our Good News Page!
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