"Private Relationship"

"And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti." Esther 2:17 

Esther had been chosen to be queen. She had responsibilities that came along with her title and position. She now had a public reputation. She served alongside of her husband the king in ruling the people, making decrees and enforcing laws. But at the end of the day, when the crown was removed, when the royal robe was taken off, when the work of ruling was finished, she was the king's wife. She was in an intimate relationship with him. 

 

This is a spiritual parallel of our relationship with our heavenly King Jesus. As His people we have a public responsibility-- go into all the world and preach the gospel. We serve in doing the work of the Kingdom with Him-- laborers together with Christ. We have a responsibility that comes along with our "title" (Christian) and "position" (seated together with Him in heavenly places). We are a royal priesthood that shows forth the praises of our God. But like Esther, at the end of the day when the work of the Kingdom is finished, when the ministry is over, when the preaching is finished, when we have taken off the robe of service to the needy, we are still His "wife"-- we are still in an intimate relationship with Him.

 

Are you wearing your "robe" and "crown" to "bed"? Is all your Christianity about is work, service or ministry? Is there any intimacy with the Lord? Do you have a personal relationship with Him? Or is it just a public show? Jesus died to save us from our sins, but He also died to reconcile, and heal, our broken relationship with the Father. When He speaks about us, it is with terms of endearment-- Father, Son, children, husband, widows, friends. His greatest desire is that we "know Him"-- that we have a personal, intimate relationship with Him. When we stand before Him one day, that will be the determining factor as to whether we enter into heaven or not-- not how much work we have done. "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:23) 

 

The king was searching for a new queen- not just to rule and reign with him- but to be his wife. Our King Jesus is searching for someone not only to work with Him, or for Him, but to have a relationship with. Is that you?

 

Have a great day.  Do you have a public relationship with the Lord only-- one of work and service? Or do you have a private relationship with Him as well-- one of intimacy and worship? 

 

For further reading:

Ephesians 2:6,16

2 Corinthians 6:1

Mark 16:15

1 Peter 2:9

Colossians 1:20