Relevant Text: Esth. 9:1
Full Text: Esth. 9-10; Rom. 4

The Gallows | “On the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them” [1]. Haman’s plot against Mordecai was foiled. He was supposed to be exalted and Mordecai was supposed to be dead. Instead, Mordecai was honored and Haman was hanged on the very gallows he built for Mordecai. And the people rejoiced in their salvation: “The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. And in every province and in every city, … there was gladness and joy among the Jews” [2].

The Cross | On the very day when the enemy of God hoped to gain the mastery over Jesus, the reverse occurred: Jesus gained mastery over the one who hated him: “God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” [3]. In the death of Christ, Satan was disarmed and shamed. He was stripped of his power to accuse us before God because the cross nullified his indictment against us [4]. And we rejoice in our salvation: “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” [5].

Prayer | Lord, You work all things according to the counsel of your will [6] and you are righteous in all your ways [7]. In the story of Esther and the gospel of Jesus, not only did you defeat evil, you made evil destroy itself. Although the dark powers did their best to destroy your glory, they found themselves “quoting the script of ancient prophecy and acting the part assigned by [you]” [8]. Therefore, we have hope because no plan of yours can be thwarted and nothing – not even the most evil plans – can separate us from your great salvation [9]. Amen.

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Footnotes

[1] Esther 9:1 ESV  |  [2] Esther 8:16-17 ESV  |  [3] Col. 2:13-15 ESV  |  [4] See Rom. 8:37-39  |  [5] 1 Ptr 1:8-9 ESV  |  [6] Eph. 1:11  |  [7] Ps. 145:17  |  [8] John Piper, Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ. Wheaton: Crossway, p. 12.  |  [9] See Rom. 8:38-39