The book of Esther tells the story of a young Jewish girl who became Queen of the Persian Empire. A story to rival any fairy tale, and truer besides. However, for Esther, becoming queen was just the beginning of her story…

The evil Haman – his people an ancient enemy of Esther’s own – was plotting to destroy the Jewish nation scattered among the empire. Although well positioned to save her people – to go to the King and plead for their lives – Esther saw herself as an unlikely hero, as (according to Persian law) to approach the King without being summoned was to risk certain death. Still, her wise cousin Mordechai encouraged Esther, saying, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4v14b NIV)

So, after three days of prayer and fasting, Esther approached the King, even though it was against the law.

When King Xerxes saw Esther, “he was pleased with her.” Holding out his golden sceptre, he granted her mercy and let her approach.

Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”  –Esther 5v3 NIV–

“Even up to half the kingdom…”

The ultimate prize in any fairy tale. Whether it be a knight who had won a great battle or, like Esther, a fair maiden who had won the King’s heart, you could not receive a greater honour or gift than “up to half the Kingdom.”

It was basically saying, “You may have anything you want.”…Almost.

* * *

This Purim (the Jewish Feast of Esther) I read the Esther story again, and this line stuck out to me. Then I heard God whisper, “I have given you my whole Kingdom.”

In Matthew 16v13-20, Simon Peter declares Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus replies:

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah…I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

–NIV–

When someone gives you their keys, what does that mean?

They are giving you unrestricted access to whatever those keys unlock. Their house, their car… When you are given their keys, you have a right to use it. It almost implies ownership.

Half the Kingdom? Ha!

Xerxes, a pagan king, offered Esther half the kingdom, even though she came before him unsummoned. How much more then, will our perfect God and Father, give us the things we ask?

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

–Matt 7v9-11 NIV–

This does not mean that we come before Him only to ask for things or to say, “give me, give me…” No! We come before Him knowing He is King of the Universe, but also knowing that He wants to spend time with us.

The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
and he makes his covenant known to them.

–Psalm 25v14 NRSV–

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

–John 15v15 NIV–

God wants to partner with us. With you.

He doesn’t need us to complete His plan: As Mordechai said to Esther, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place…” (Esther 4v14a NIV)

He doesn’t need to. But He wants to.

* * *

What is it that God is calling you to do? In what circumstance can you have the courage of Esther to rise up “for such a time as this?” Esther wasn’t assured of her path when she chose to go before the King of Persia – but she did know that the King of the Universe had offered her an invitation: An invitation to partner with Him and change the destiny of an entire nation.

From your cup of coffee in the morning (or, if you’re like me, tea) to the secret desires of your heart: God, the King of the Universe wants you to be a part of His Kingdom.

He has given you His keys.

…What will you unlock?