With the enemy (Haman) out of the picture, the problem remains that death for the Jews is still on the horizon. The mediator must go to work again.
Esther chapter 4 describes Esther and Mordecai’s reaction to Haman’s legislation. Esther now must decide: Am I Esther or Hadassah?
Just like you don’t start a building project without finding out how much it will cost, Jesus tells his disciples to count the cost of following him.
No matter what hardship you might face tomorrow, when you feel like God has moved – you’re right. But the resurrection proves he hasn’t moved away from you; he’s moved TO you!
There are two kinds of people in the world, and they aren't rich/poor, Democrats/Republicans, slave/free, white/other. The two kinds of people are those who believe the cross and resurrection are nonsense, and those who believe the cross and resurrection are the power of God for salvation.