This Sunday, we continued our sermon series in Esther with chapter 8:1-17. These verses also helped set the framework for our Baptism Sunday! Co-lead pastor Alex walked through chapter 8 as he helped prepare our hearts to celebrate people's salvations within our church family.
In the book of Esther, we read that it wasn't enough for Haman to receive justice for his actions, but there needed to be a complete reversal of King Ahasuerus's original edict against the Jews. Mordecai and Esther work together to write a competing edict that would allow the Jews to defend themselves if someone attacked. Then, we see a complete reversal of roles: power shifts to God's people and Esther acts as a radical intercessor.
We see Jesus in the Old Testmanent because he himself is our radical intercessor. We also have received a royal reversal: not only did we not receive the punishment we deserved, but we have been crowned with glory through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. Praise God! He made a way for us to be with him!