The message for today is “Going back to the gates.” To summarize, this is the story of Mordecai who found a job to be a gate man. While at the gates three things happened. First, some people plotted to kill the king and Mordecai told Esther about the plot. The only reward he got was to write his name in the book of souvenir and that is all. Even the king didn’t bother to come out and thank him.
People expect to get some recognition when they do good deeds. Often this does not happen. So what do you do? Many people will change their way of doing things because of this.
Second, Mordecai remained at the gates. He got no promotion or anything. Other people got promoted but not Mordecai. But Mordecai was humble and patient. He stayed at the gate and waited.
Third, Mordecai was faithful. He kept doing the same duty as before. Most people could not, or would not remain faithful. They would change how they work. For instance, they might show up late or leave early.
Then there was a man name Haman. He was Mordecai’s boss. He was very important. Everyone bowed before him except Mordecai. So Haman did not like Mordecai. Haman went to his wife and asked for advice on how to deal with Mordecai. Haman’s wife told him to kill Mordecai.
So Haman went to ask the king for permission to kill Mordecai. But the king asked Haman what should be done to the man that the king delights to honor. Well Haman figured that he was the man the king wanted to honor so he gave the king lots of good advice.
The king told Haman to do for Mordecai as Haman had said. Mordecai was there so Haman had no choice but to honor him. If Mordecai had not been there, it might have turn out differently.
The time may come when your enemies will be forced to bless you. Amen!
How many people, after all of the honor, will go back to the gates? Most people will think they are better than that. Many people have destroyed their lives because of the first honor. But if you go back to the gates, the second honor will be greater than you can imagine!
We need to go back to the gates! Remember our origins.