For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Good morning. It is great to have you with us on this special day as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. While Easter only comes around once each year, we as Christians remember Jesus’ resurrection every week. That’s why we observe our Sabbath and have church on Sunday rather than on Saturday,… because Jesus rose from the dead on the 1st day of the week, not the 7th day of the week.
This year we are going to do something a bit different than in years past. We have been conducting a study through the book of Esther for the past 11 weeks and only have a few verses left. So this morning, rather than having a stand alone Easter sermon, we are going to conclude our series in Esther and connect it with the gospel message.
Don’t worry… I will summarize what we’ve covered the last few months for our guests who may not have not heard and aren’t familiar with the story of Esther. My hope is that we will recognize and understand how the story of Esther points to the finished work of Jesus. I’ve titled this message “Easter with Esther”. Turn in your Bibles to Esther chapter 10.
I. MORDECAI’S GREATNESS (v1-3)
King Ahasuerus imposed a tax on all of the lands and coastlands throughout the Persian Empire. He was a powerful and mighty king who advanced Mordecai to a place of high honor. His acts are recorded in the Book of Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia. Mordecai was 2nd in command to the king, was highly regarded, and very popular among his brethren. He spoke peace to and sought the welfare of the Jewish people.
In the years that followed the Jews’ victory over their enemies and the establishment of Purim, Mordecai became increasingly great. He received a generous portion of the taxes collected by the Persian government and was given almost complete authority to manage the Empire’s affairs. Typically, when a leader has this type of wealth and power they become prideful and corrupt. Mordecai, however, remained upright and committed to the good of his people.
II. A SUMMARY OF ESTHER
The story of Esther records how God delivered His chosen people from their planned destruction. When the previous queen was banished, a young Jewish girl named Esther was chosen to take her place. Esther had been raised by her cousin Mordecai who worked as a servant of the king. He advised Esther to conceal her Jewish ethnicity.
The king foolishly promoted an evil man named Haman to serve as his chief officer. Haman was of Amalekite descent and fiercely hated Mordecai and all of the Jewish people. He misled the king into passing a law that called for the complete destruction of the Jews. On a certain day all of the Jews would be rounded up and slaughtered. When Mordecai learned about this law, he urged Esther to intervene. Esther was hesitant to do so, fearing that she herself might be killed for approaching the king without an invitation. She, Mordecai, and many other Jews prayed and fasted on her behalf, that she would be courageous and successful in her appeal.
Esther prepared 2 feasts for the king and Haman. During the 2nd feast, she revealed that she was a Jew, urged the king to spare her people, and exposed Haman’s murderous plan. When the king learned what Haman was planning, he had Haman killed and put Mordecai in charge. Mordecai passed a 2nd law which allowed the Jews to defend themselves from their planned destruction. Ultimately, with God’s help, the Jews overcame their enemies and were saved. To memorialize their deliverance from Haman’s wicked scheme, Esther and Mordecai established the holiday of Purim which is celebrated by the Jews each year.
III. HOW ESTHER FORESHADOWS CHRIST
The gospel of Jesus Christ is also a story about deliverance. In the book of Esther an evil villain named Haman sought the destruction of God’s chosen people. On a larger scale, Satan seeks the death of all people and constantly works to deceive them into believing that either there is no God, they don’t need God, or that they can attain His favor apart from Christ (1 Peter 5:8; John 8:44). Just as in the story of Esther, there is a day coming for all people upon which they will die. It won’t all happen on the same day, but make no mistake - it will happen. Those who die having never been forgiven of their sins will face eternal condemnation (Hebrews 9:27).
Just like in the story of Esther, God sent a Deliverer at just the right time to rescue His people (Galatians 4:4-5). Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, humbled Himself, left His throne in Heaven, and came to this earth as a man to accomplish what no other person could accomplish (John 1:14). He lived a sinless life and was completely undefiled and blameless before God. Esther risked her life on behalf of her people, but Jesus gave His life sacrificially for all people. Jesus bore the sins of all humanity and endured the punishment due them on the cross of Calvary, dying as a substitute for sinners (2 Corinthians 5:21).
In the book of Esther, Haman was filled with pride and thought for certain that his evil plan would succeed. So also Satan and his demonic forces celebrated Jesus’ death on the cross believing that they had won. But, just as God saved the Jews from certain death in Esther, so also He conquered death and the grave in Christ . On the 3rd day, an angel descended from Heaven and rolled the stone away. Jesus walked out of the tomb alive! He had risen from the dead. And the same power that raised Him abides in all who have received Him as Lord and Savior (Romans 6:8-10; 8:11).
40 days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into Heaven and retook His seat at the right hand of God. The fullness and greatness of His glory was no longer concealed. Much higher than Mordecai, Jesus was exalted and magnified (Hebrews 1:3). He had defeated the enemy and made salvation available to all who would receive it (John 3:16).
CONCLUSION
In the book of Esther, 2 laws are passed. Haman’s law would result in death for the Jews, while Mordecai’s law affords them with a chance to live. This exemplifies the old covenant and the new covenant. Under the Old Covenant of the law, all people are guilty of sin. None are righteous. None attain the standard of perfection that a just and holy God demands. All fall short of His glory. But under the New Covenant of grace, all people have the opportunity to receive salvation through the finished work of Jesus. Those who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus will be saved.
And so, just as the Jewish people set aside a day each year to recite and remember the story of Esther and how the LORD delivered them from their enemies, so also Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ every day, but especially on Easter Sunday. It is the greatest holiday of them all because it memorializes the most consequential event in all of history.
The book of Esther, like all of the Bible, points to Jesus. The Old Testament anticipates and foreshadows His coming, the Gospels describe His life and ministry while He was here, and the New Testament teaches us how to live as believers now that He is gone. Jesus is the center, the focal point of God Word. He has come. He has defeated sin and death. The tomb is empty. And some day, perhaps very soon, Jesus is coming again.
Good morning. It is great to have you with us on this special day as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. While Easter only comes around once each year, we as Christians remember Jesus’ resurrection every week. That’s why we observe our Sabbath and have church on Sunday rather than on Saturday,… because Jesus rose from the dead on the 1st day of the week, not the 7th day of the week.
This year we are going to do something a bit different than in years past. We have been conducting a study through the book of Esther for the past 11 weeks and only have a few verses left. So this morning, rather than having a stand alone Easter sermon, we are going to conclude our series in Esther and connect it with the gospel message.
Don’t worry… I will summarize what we’ve covered the last few months for our guests who may not have not heard and aren’t familiar with the story of Esther. My hope is that we will recognize and understand how the story of Esther points to the finished work of Jesus. I’ve titled this message “Easter with Esther”. Turn in your Bibles to Esther chapter 10.
I. MORDECAI’S GREATNESS (v1-3)
King Ahasuerus imposed a tax on all of the lands and coastlands throughout the Persian Empire. He was a powerful and mighty king who advanced Mordecai to a place of high honor. His acts are recorded in the Book of Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia. Mordecai was 2nd in command to the king, was highly regarded, and very popular among his brethren. He spoke peace to and sought the welfare of the Jewish people.
In the years that followed the Jews’ victory over their enemies and the establishment of Purim, Mordecai became increasingly great. He received a generous portion of the taxes collected by the Persian government and was given almost complete authority to manage the Empire’s affairs. Typically, when a leader has this type of wealth and power they become prideful and corrupt. Mordecai, however, remained upright and committed to the good of his people.
II. A SUMMARY OF ESTHER
The story of Esther records how God delivered His chosen people from their planned destruction. When the previous queen was banished, a young Jewish girl named Esther was chosen to take her place. Esther had been raised by her cousin Mordecai who worked as a servant of the king. He advised Esther to conceal her Jewish ethnicity.
The king foolishly promoted an evil man named Haman to serve as his chief officer. Haman was of Amalekite descent and fiercely hated Mordecai and all of the Jewish people. He misled the king into passing a law that called for the complete destruction of the Jews. On a certain day all of the Jews would be rounded up and slaughtered. When Mordecai learned about this law, he urged Esther to intervene. Esther was hesitant to do so, fearing that she herself might be killed for approaching the king without an invitation. She, Mordecai, and many other Jews prayed and fasted on her behalf, that she would be courageous and successful in her appeal.
Esther prepared 2 feasts for the king and Haman. During the 2nd feast, she revealed that she was a Jew, urged the king to spare her people, and exposed Haman’s murderous plan. When the king learned what Haman was planning, he had Haman killed and put Mordecai in charge. Mordecai passed a 2nd law which allowed the Jews to defend themselves from their planned destruction. Ultimately, with God’s help, the Jews overcame their enemies and were saved. To memorialize their deliverance from Haman’s wicked scheme, Esther and Mordecai established the holiday of Purim which is celebrated by the Jews each year.
III. HOW ESTHER FORESHADOWS CHRIST
The gospel of Jesus Christ is also a story about deliverance. In the book of Esther an evil villain named Haman sought the destruction of God’s chosen people. On a larger scale, Satan seeks the death of all people and constantly works to deceive them into believing that either there is no God, they don’t need God, or that they can attain His favor apart from Christ (1 Peter 5:8; John 8:44). Just as in the story of Esther, there is a day coming for all people upon which they will die. It won’t all happen on the same day, but make no mistake - it will happen. Those who die having never been forgiven of their sins will face eternal condemnation (Hebrews 9:27).
Just like in the story of Esther, God sent a Deliverer at just the right time to rescue His people (Galatians 4:4-5). Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, humbled Himself, left His throne in Heaven, and came to this earth as a man to accomplish what no other person could accomplish (John 1:14). He lived a sinless life and was completely undefiled and blameless before God. Esther risked her life on behalf of her people, but Jesus gave His life sacrificially for all people. Jesus bore the sins of all humanity and endured the punishment due them on the cross of Calvary, dying as a substitute for sinners (2 Corinthians 5:21).
In the book of Esther, Haman was filled with pride and thought for certain that his evil plan would succeed. So also Satan and his demonic forces celebrated Jesus’ death on the cross believing that they had won. But, just as God saved the Jews from certain death in Esther, so also He conquered death and the grave in Christ . On the 3rd day, an angel descended from Heaven and rolled the stone away. Jesus walked out of the tomb alive! He had risen from the dead. And the same power that raised Him abides in all who have received Him as Lord and Savior (Romans 6:8-10; 8:11).
40 days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into Heaven and retook His seat at the right hand of God. The fullness and greatness of His glory was no longer concealed. Much higher than Mordecai, Jesus was exalted and magnified (Hebrews 1:3). He had defeated the enemy and made salvation available to all who would receive it (John 3:16).
CONCLUSION
In the book of Esther, 2 laws are passed. Haman’s law would result in death for the Jews, while Mordecai’s law affords them with a chance to live. This exemplifies the old covenant and the new covenant. Under the Old Covenant of the law, all people are guilty of sin. None are righteous. None attain the standard of perfection that a just and holy God demands. All fall short of His glory. But under the New Covenant of grace, all people have the opportunity to receive salvation through the finished work of Jesus. Those who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus will be saved.
And so, just as the Jewish people set aside a day each year to recite and remember the story of Esther and how the LORD delivered them from their enemies, so also Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ every day, but especially on Easter Sunday. It is the greatest holiday of them all because it memorializes the most consequential event in all of history.
The book of Esther, like all of the Bible, points to Jesus. The Old Testament anticipates and foreshadows His coming, the Gospels describe His life and ministry while He was here, and the New Testament teaches us how to live as believers now that He is gone. Jesus is the center, the focal point of God Word. He has come. He has defeated sin and death. The tomb is empty. And some day, perhaps very soon, Jesus is coming again.