King Ahasuerus has now promoted Mordecai to fill the office formerly held by Haman, and Haman's estates are given to Esther. But the death sentence against the Jews still stands, and it can't be revoked. In response to Esther's pleadings, the king tells her and Mordecai to write a new decree in his own name -- giving the Jews the right to gather together and defend themselves against their enemies. This, of course, resulted in great rejoicing among Esther's people; and many others also became Jews, because the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Our enemy today is not the people around us. Yes, there will be persecution that is raised against us; but we don't use this narrative as a justification to go out and destroy the enemies of the Church. Rather, we need to realize that the real enemy is sin and death -- which have already been defeated by Christ! This means that we are free to go and spread the good news of the Gospel, as we go about our daily spiritual battle against the devil, under the protection of our Savior. And one day, at the end of this world, there will be a great and final battle -- in which Christ will clearly be seen as the ultimate Conqueror and King! |
