Caleb Drahosh \\ Haman's plot goes public and when it reaches Mordecai and Esther they are deeply distressed. According to the law, no one could come before the king without being summoned. The punishment for doing so was death. Mordecai appeals to Esther to make an attempt on behalf of the Jews. If the king looks upon her request with favor, they will be saved. If not, she and all her people are dead whether she makes an attempt or not. Esther agrees. She finds favor with the king, and requests that she be allowed to throw a feast for the king and Haman with the intent of exposing Haman.

Caleb Drahosh \\ After Esther is named queen, a plot against the king is made known to her by Mordecai. She informs the king and the plot is foiled. Later, King Ahasuerus promotes Haman the Agagite. Mordecai does not pay homage to Haman. Haman seeks to destroy Mordecai – and all the Jews – by taking the matter to the king who grants Haman the authority to do so. The threat is dire, but God has already worked deliverance.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Kings and rulers of this earth go to great lengths to glorify themselves. King Ahasuerus of Persia was no different. In his excessive feasting and celebration of self, Ahasuerus calls for his queen, Vashti, who refuses. Fearing kingdom insubordination, the king relieves her of her role as queen. Ahasuerus now seeks a new queen. Esther, the niece of Mordecai, a Jew, is chosen.

John Baumgartner \\ Prayer is calling upon God for all He has commanded us to ask Him for, humbly acknowledging our deep need of His grace, resting upon the sure promises He has made that are “Yes and Amen” to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us how to ask for everything we need both in body and soul.

Blaze Culliton \\ Rejoicing in the Lord always and not being anxious about anything are postures toward God that are the results of the access we have to God through prayer. In prayer, we make our requests known to God humbly with thanksgiving as an acknowledgement of His power and holiness and our hearts and minds are guarded by the peace of God.

John Baumgartner \\ Jesus was always praying and seeking communion with His Father, and He has given us the same Spirit of adoption that we too cry out, “Abba! Father!” Prayer is the most natural act of the new creation we are in Christ, but also the most difficult for sinners. We are afraid to show our sins to God and instead try to hide from Him. We imagine that He would be angry to see us, but He is a God of infinite mercy and pity. He bids you come and welcomes you as your God and Father.

Caleb Drahosh \\ On Sunday morning, three women come to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body. They quickly discover that the stone is rolled away and the tomb is empty. A man in white instructs the women to go tell the disciples. The disciples do not believe two eyewitness accounts of Jesus' resurrection. Then Jesus appears to His disciples and rebukes their unbelief. He commissions them to preach the gospel. Jesus ascends into heaven, His continued work carried on by the disciples.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Now that Jesus has been persecuted as a prophet and crowned as king, He takes up His priestly work of offering sacrifice for the sins of God's people. But it's not the blood of animals that is offered, but His own. His sacrifice is once for all. And the curtain in the temple was torn in two; the debt of sin that separated God from man had now been paid.

John Baumgartner \\ Jesus now stands accused before Pilate the Roman governor of Judea. He does not plead for His life, nor waver at all in the face of death. Keeping the will of His Father is far greater joy than all the suffering He will face. Jesus remains a conquering victor by His courage in the face of death.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Checking in with Peter we find him at a distance from Jesus, outside in the courtyard. Three different times, it is said by others that Peter had been with Jesus. In every instance Peter denies association with Jesus. Jesus remains silent when charges are brought against Him; Peter buckles and denies Jesus. Jesus said that His disciples were to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. Instead of denying self, Peter denies Jesus. But Jesus is merciful and we know that Peter is fully and finally restored by Jesus.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Jesus is taken to the high priest and is tried by the chief priests, elders, and scribes. False testimonies were given, and the testimonies didn't agree. They were hunting for a reason to kill Jesus. They land on blasphemy and condemn Him to die. Even though all His followers have fled at this point, Jesus stays resolute. And those who follow Jesus closely can expect similar things; Jesus' responses should be – and can be – ours.