Esther 9:15 (ESV)

[15] The Jews who were in Susa gathered also on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and they killed 300 men in Susa, but they laid no hands on the plunder.

The Jews were authorized to kill men, women, and children, and to keep their plunder. There is no mention of women or children being killed, and the chapter specifically says three times that they did not take the plunder. They stopped short of what they were authorized to do.

The United States of America is built on an understanding of certain rights. Unfortunately, we have moved from guaranteeing rights for others, to demanding our rights. It was the right of the Jews to kill men, women, and children, and to keep their plunder. They did not demand their rights. They celebrated their freedom, but they did not take advantage of that which was legally theirs.

“I have a right” has become for the rallying cry of our nation. “I have a right to be treated fairly.” “I have a right to be respected.” “I have a right to not be offended.” “I have a right…” When our focus is on our rights instead of protecting the rights of others we lose. Haman was fixated on his right to be respected as a great man. Look where that got him. Mordecai, on the other hand, was focused on protecting others. He ended up with Haman’s position while Haman ended up on the gallows, as did his ten sons.

Jesus words about turning the other cheek, forgiving and praying for one’s enemies, and loving your neighbor hardly fits with, “I have a right.” What if we in the church learned to serve rather than be served? What if we in the church learned to love our neighbors and pray for (not against) our enemies?  What if we learned to be more concerned about others than about ourselves?

I was in a school parking lot the other day and saw a sign that indicated a particular parking spot was reserved for the principal. I’ve seen signs reserving spots for the CEO of a company. I’ve also seen signs reserving a premium parking spot for a pastor. I wonder what that indicates to visitors. Might it possibly suggest (whether it is accurate or not) that this church is more interested in themselves than in others? I love it when a church gives premium parking to handicapped and visitors. I’m not so sure we should be protecting those spaces for ourselves.

The Jews defended themselves by royal edict, and were saved. They did not, however, use their full rights according to that edict. Maybe there is a lesson there for us today. What if we learned to serve instead of be served? What if we learned to give instead of take? What if we became known as a people who give up their rights for the benefit of others? How might Christ be exalted in that?