Approaching the King

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, opposite the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne inside the palace opposite the entrance to the palace. As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favor, and he held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter. The king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even to half of my kingdom, it shall be given you.”

— Esther 5:1-3 (NRSVUE)

The above passage is not a typical Advent text, but during the season of Advent, we are not only called to await ardently the arrival of the newborn King, but we are also challenged to approach King Jesus appropriately.

If we look at the example of Queen Esther, we see how she entered the throne room of King Ahasuerus in order to win his favor. While we do not have to win the grace of the King of Heaven (we are God’s beloved children, after all!), it is still a good idea to remember that God is sovereign and that we should approach the King of Creation with intentionality, humility, repentance, and holy boldness. Let’s also remember that because of the Christ, we have a reserved place of favor before the throne of God. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15-16).  So, as we prepare for the arrival of Christ, may we approach him with the posture of reverence and grace-filled boldness due unto the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!