Devotionary

The title for this episode is, “Consider Jesus” because the author of Hebrews is challenging us to do just that, to take a long, hard look at Jesus as the founder and perfecter of our faith. Moses may have delivered the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt, but Jesus provided deliverance from sin and death. The sacrificial system could provide temporary remission of sin, but only Jesus could provide a permanent solution to the presence and power of sin.

Solidarity, suffering and salvation. According to the author of Hebrews, we have these three things in common with Christ. We are one with Him because of His death on the cross, and as a result, we share in His sufferings. But we also share in His salvation, having been freed from slavery to sin because of His payment of our debt with His own life.

Today's episode deals not only with Jesus’ subjection and suffering on the cross for our sake, but also His future return when everything and everyone will be in subjection to Him. Jesus took on human flesh and subjected himself to a sinner’s death on the cross. But His death was so that we might have life – eternal life – and His resurrection assures us that one day He is coming back to finish what He started and establish His kingdom on earth.

This episode deals with the very real danger every follower of Christ faces – that of drifting away from the truth and hope of the gospel. Each and every day we find ourselves facing circumstances that tempt us to doubt the veracity of God’s Word and lose hope in the promises found in His Word. The danger we face is not the loss of our salvation, but the ability to enjoy the more abundant life that Jesus promised us.

The author of Hebrews continues his comparison between Jesus, the Son of God, and angels, the messengers and servants of God. Jesus is uncreated. He is a member of the Trinity, the Gohead. His humanity, as evidences by His incarnation, in no way diminished His deity. He remains the Son of God and sits at the right hand of God the Father, where He intercedes on our behalf until the God-appointed day of His second coming.

In these three short verses, the author of Hebrews provides us with seven facts concerning Jesus and endeavors to show just how incomparable He truly is. Jesus is not only sufficient, He’s superior in every way. There’s nothing that compares with Him. There is no one who can equal Him in holiness, honor, importance, and power. He is the incomparable, inimitable God.

In the opening verses of chapter one, the author is going to introduce us to a very special character, who he will leave unnamed until verse nine. But I think you’ll recognize Him without any problem

The entire story of Esther takes place in a distant land ruled over by a pagan king. The people of Israel find themselves living in a foreign country, far from the homeland, but not far from their God. While they had seemingly forgotten Him, He would prove Himself faithful and loving, gracious and kind.

After their miraculous deliverance from the threat of possible extinction, the Jews were in a celebratory mood. They instituted a yearly festival to commemorate their victory over their enemies, complete with gift giving and eating. But much like our annual celebration of Christmas, there was something missing in all the joy and festivities: Any mention of God.

Whether reading the story about a young Jewish girl who lived many centuries ago or simply looking at the daily affairs of our own life, it is sometimes easy for us to miss God in all that is going on. We can even assume He is not there. But God never goes anywhere. He never leaves or abandons His people. And while things in Susa appeared to indicate just the opposite, Esther, Mordecai and the rest of the Jews discovered that their God wasn’t missing at all

An amazing and God-ordained reversal of fortunes is about to take place for the Jews. Standing at the brink of annihilation, they will suddenly find themselves the unlikely victors over their more powerful enemies. Through a series of seemingly fortuitous events, they’ll be the undeserving recipients of God’s mercy and grace.

Today's episode covers the issuing of a second edict in the king’s name and sealed with his royal signet ring. Since the first edict commanding the annihilation of the Jews could not be rescinded, a second edict was issued giving the Jews permission to defend themselves. The battle lines were being drawn and the enemies of God’s people were going to find themselves on the wrong side.

This episode covers the days immediately following Haman’s death as Esther continues to deal with the looming impact of the king’s edict calling for the destruction of all the Jews in the kingdom of Persia. Only eight months remained until that fateful day. But that would be plenty of time for God to implement a plan that result in their redemption instead of their annihilation.

Haman is gone. But the edict he helped write still looms large in the picture. The Jews still face annihilation. But God is not done. He is still at work, orchestrating His plan for their redemption. And as the final chapters unfold, we will see that His ways, while not always discernible or enjoyable, are always reliable.

In this episode we’ll see the ignominious end of the once-powerful, prideful Haman. Unwittingly, he had pitted himself against the all-powerful God of Israel and lost. He had seen Mordecai as his enemy and had chosen to get back at him by attacking the people of God. But God’s people had something Haman would never have: God’s protection.