THE HONOR OF THE KING
Text: Matthew 20: 20- 23
20 The mother of Zebedee’s children (James and John) came to Jesus with her sons. She got down on her knees before Jesus to ask something of Him.
21 He said to her, “What do you want?” She said, “Say that my two sons may sit, one at Your right side and one at Your left side, when You are King.”
22 Jesus said to her, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to take the suffering that I am about to take? (Are you able to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?)” They said, “Yes, we are able.”
23 He said to them, “You will suffer as I will suffer. But the places at My right side and at My left side are not Mine to give. Whoever My Father says will have those places.”
Luke 22: 24
Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
Esther 6: 11
So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
Background:
Luke 22: 24 and Matthew 20: 20- 23 have a connection. The disciples were arguing who should be considered the greatest. The mother of the Zebedees boldly came to Jesus and told Him of something that angered the rest of the disciples. –HONOR for her 2 sons. But Jesus replied, “It is the Father who decides.”
“It is the king’s delight to give honor.” It is the king’s choice, decision and joy to give honor to those who deserve it.
Illustration: When class year ends.
Title: THE HONOR OF THE KING
- What is Honor?
- The Honor of Man.
- Greatness for Honor.
- Honor Through The Greater One.
I. WHAT IS HONOR?
In Meriam-webster dictionary, honor means:
– an evidence or symbol of distinction: such as an exalted title or rank. (promotion)
– an award in a contest or field of competition.
– an academic distinction conferred on a superior student.
In YOURDICTIONARY honor means – A high regard or great respect given, received, or enjoyed.
II. THE HONOR OF MAN
Everybody desires for honor.
Luke 14: 8- 9 says “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.”If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.
This verse suggests that there are other people who are better than you or may feel more worthy than you. If you feel you deserve something honorable, other people also feel the same thing.
Sometimes our desire for honor is so high but we may not pay the price.
Jesus told them the price for honor is very HIGH. It can be only be attained through GREATNESS.
III. GREATNESS FOR HONOR.
– History.
Eg.
- Alexander the great
- Christopher Columbus
- Lapu-lapu.
– Philanthropists who promote the welfare of others especially by the GENEROUS DONATION of money.
– Physicians who discovered medicines and vaccines.
– Inventors.
They all have received recognition from men for their greatness.
But man’s measuring stick is not God’s measuring stick. For as high as the heavens are above the earth his ways are higher than ours.
What makes a man great to deserve the honor of the King?
What makes a man great?
- His Compassion
It is evident from the start of the book of Esther that Mordecai’s heart always beat for the needs of others.
“And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her.” (Esther 2:11).
He also showed his compassion when he learned of the plan by Haman to have all Jews killed in the kingdom and wore sackcloth and ashes.
Eg. Schindler’s list
There are so many souls that cry today. Let us show compassion.
The rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked, what must I do to be saved. Jesus told him, “sell all you have and give to the poor and follow me.”
2.His Wisdom.
Mordecai’s intelligence may not have been recognized immediately, but he knew what to do when handling situations involving the king.
His ability to read a situation to know when to act and when to lay low allowed him to know how best to place Esther in a state of favor with the king. This not only saved his and Esther’s lives but also insured that their Jewish community was spared.
- His Courage
One attribute that is undeniable with Mordecai is he never was one to buckle under peer pressure.
“And all the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage.”(Esther 3:2-3).
Even though there was the strong possibility of death by Haman, Mordecai didn’t back down from standing up for his beliefs.
- His Hope in God’s calling and provision
He instilled in her hope that maybe this difficult position she was in was ordained by God for her to have. “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”(Esther 4:14). After this response of encouragement, Esther knew that she needed to connect to God through fasting and prayer to learn of His plan for the circumstances.
- His All for the kingdom.
Are we living all for the kingdom?
Are we giving all for the kingdom?
Is there a fear in you if you live and give your best for the kingdom?
Are you afraid that after you have done everything you will disappear like the dew in the morning or forgotten like yesterday?
Mordecai was forgotten for a certain time. His effort, his courage and even the risk he made for the king and the kingdom were written in records but nobody remembered him until the king couldn’t sleep one night.
God does not sleep like an earthly king. He remembers. He has a book of remembrance.
Malachi 3: 16- 18 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.
“On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
IV. HONOR THROUGH THE GREATER ONE
King Ahasuerus asked: What must I do to a man I delight to honor?
King Ahasuerus here is a picture of God our King. And this is the way a great man is honored.
- Wear the Royal Robe which the king has worn–it shows favor, restoration and destiny.
- Ride the horse which the king has ridden with a royal crest on its head –horse symbolizes power and glory. It is a symbol of force, strength and status of a king.
- Parade him – he was shown to all the kingdom. He was no more unimportant. He has become great.
- Proclaim him – when his name is announced, people bowed to give him honor.
Spiritual significances.
- When God honors you whatever you have lost will be restored to you.
- Your life and testimony will become powerful that it glorifies God.
- You will become greater.
- You will be honored.
The good news for all of us today is we can receive such honor because of our greater Mordecai- Jesus.
He was full of compassion. In his lifetime he never failed to show that He really cares. He spoke words of wisdom that the scholars were astounded by his words. He never failed to show and give courage to his followers. He taught people to hope and trust in God, and He gave His all. That is why God said, “This is my son and I delight in Him.” But in Golgotha He did not have a robe; they took his clothes. He was not carried by a horse; He carried the cross. He walked the road of sorrows and there was no proclamation of His greatness; instead, insults, curses and blasphemies were hurled against him. On the cross, He was forgotten. God does not sleep but on that day He closed His eyes on His suffering Son. So that anyone who became nothing will become great and will deserve the Honor of the King.
CONCLUSION:
People who experienced humiliation and shame may not be honored soon but honor will come at the right time.
Time will come that God will only want to remember you at all cost to give you honor.
