1. Revelation
a. I Wonder Why They Hate Me So Much
i. Esther 3:6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. KJV
1. Because of Who you serve
2. Because of who you are associated with
3. You can be persecuted for the righteousness of another
b. Esther Joined
i. She joined a fast that was already in progress
1. Esther 4:3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. KJV
2. She pointed the weapon so to speak
3. Every time you risk the life you have for a greater one when you approach the king
c. Haste Not
i. Esther 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. KJV
1. She took the time to fast
2. Rhonda - When Esther came before the king she spent time with him, loved on him, then requested another meeting THEN told him all that was in her heart. By the time she shared her heart she had his heart!
d. Timing
i. Esther 6:2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
4 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. KJV
e. Revealing
i. Esther 7:9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman . Then the king said, Hang him thereon. KJV
2. Restoration
a. Joel 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? 18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. 19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: KJV
3. Intercession
a. Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. KJV
i. The very nature of the Cross is that we take upon ourselves the burden and "sins" of others, not as a sacrifice for those burdens and sins but as a carrier of those things to The Lord.
ii. We feel the weight of what others have done, even though we might not have been a part of those things at all
iii. We may not have been part of the problem but by His grace we will be part of the solution. Remember, we are the people of light who can call fire down from Heaven with prayer! Fall Holy Ghost! Fall on us!
b. Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors ; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors KJV
c. Mark 15:28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors . KJV
i. Which means He took on those sins
ii. Which means He was willing to forgive them
iii. We must minister as if we were Barabbas, when I am asked if Jesus would forgive such and such and so and so do I answer as me or answer from the standpoint of Barabbas, or the thief beside Christ on the Cross
