Esther 3:1-6

Esther 3:1-6 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Remember how last week I mentioned that little things can have huge effects down the line?  Mordecai had overheard some things, and that led to a vacated position, and here comes Haman, who would be accompanied by foreboding music if this were a movie.  Wherever Haman went, people bowed down to him, paying him homage.  Guess who didn't bow down?  Mordecai.  Mordecai worshiped the one true God, the God who carved the mountains from the sea, set the stars in the sky and had power over life and death.  Compared to God, Haman wasn't so great, and this really, really bothered Haman.  But rather than take on Mordecai, Haman sought to work behind the scenes to attack the Jews.
  There are a lot of people in this world who think their worldly standing makes them worthy of deferential treatment.  Just google celebrity entitlement if you're bored.  It always intrigues me how people trip over themselves to give things to rich people for free, never mind the efforts of cities to give money to the owners of sports teams.  The rich and powerful grow accustomed people deferring to them, and it's somewhat surprising when people do not. 
  To remain humble is a worthy goal.  Remembering how Christ sought us out, how Christ saved us from the despair we deserved, is helpful, as it's a gentle reminder that we are the lost sheep, the one caught in the thicket in the dark, lost and alone, and Christ came to us.  The more we remember that we have been saved, the more willing we are to help others who are lost and alone, who despair.  We are no better than any others, and each of us has a responsibility to reach out to those around us and offer some encouragement.  We have all been lost, and we have all been found, and we are in this together.