In leading the Israelites to the Promise Land, God calls upon His people to look back and to look forward. Likewise, in the face of new opportunities and challenges before us, instead of shrinking back in fear, we can move forward with confidence in our faithful God.

Through a new decree that was passed, the Jews are able to defend themselves and find victory against Haman's evil plot. They then inaugurate the Feast of Purim as a celebration and remembrance of God's deliverance. Although we do not celebrate Purim, we have a greater joy, a greater victory, a greater understanding of God's deliverance under the New Covenant in the act of communion. Therefore, we can live from a place of strength and victory and know joy and celebration even in a world of despair and chaos.

After making preparations, Esther comes before the king to make her request. Through the unfolding of events, we see how God carries out His plan of salvation. God remains faithful to His people despite their unfaithfulness. God sovereignly works to bring forth good out of evil. God victoriously prevails over evil with justice. God graciously invites people everywhere to repent and join His Kingdom. The gospel according to Esther is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.

Esther finds herself in a dangerous predicament. Haman, one of the top officials in the Persian government, has persuaded King Xerxes to issue a royal edict to annihilate all the Jewish people in the empire. Mordecai implores Esther to present herself before the king to intercede on behalf of her people. But doing so would mean risking her own death. However Esther is able to take on this righteous risk through fasting. In the face of great evil, God's people are to faithfully steward their God-given opportunities with clarity and courage.

The story of Esther takes place in the capital of the Persian Empire where many Jews lived under Persian rule. And Esther is an unique book of the Bible in that God is not explicitly mentioned anywhere. Yet all throughout, you see God's sovereign hands throughout the narrative that reinforces his commitment to faithfulness and redemption. So in the midst of a society under foreign pagan rule, God uses his people to bring about his grand purposes. And we worship and serve the same God today who is committed to bring about his grand purposes even in our own contexts.

As God has called Family Chapel to Los Angeles, we are not to merely be a church in the city, but we are to be a church for the city. If we are to faithfully and fruitfully minister to Los Angeles, then we need to rightly worship God, build up a compelling community, love our neighbors through ministries of evangelism and mercy, disciple Christians to live out their faith in their everyday lives, and seek a gospel movement in our city. May Family Chapel carry these things out by God's grace for God's glory!

While the gospel is universally applicable in all contexts, if we want to faithfully and effectively communicate the gospel to Los Angeles, we need to contextualize the gospel for Los Angeles. Following the Apostle Paul's example in Athens, contextualizing the gospel requires correctly understanding your city's story, constructively challenging your city's story, and lovingly re-telling your city's story. Los Angeles tells a story of reinventing one's image. The gospel tells a better story of Jesus remaking people in His image.

In a sense, the story of Scripture can be told through the story of cities. The Bible teaches that cities are a part of God’s original design for human flourishing (Eden), that cities can amplify sinful pride and idolatry (Babel), that God's people should actively seek the comprehensive renewal of the city (Babylon), that cities can be missional hubs in reaching the nations (Antioch), and that our true home is found in the heavenly city that comes to earth (New Jerusalem). Understanding these things should shape how we live, work, play, and relate to our own city here in Los Angeles.

In contrast to the other gospels, John presents an epilogue with a personal, intimate look into the gracious recommissioning of Peter and the disciples. This presents a unique facet of the commission that Christ gives to his followers as he restores and calls us to faithfully serve his Kingdom by continually beholding and abiding in him and tending and caring for one another.

In the aftermath of Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples are filled with doubt. But rather than being a hindrance to faith, when rightly approached, doubt can be an avenue for even greater faith. Jesus draws near to us in our doubts and invites us to trust him. And as those who believe, we should invite others to believe that Jesus is the risen Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they will find true life in his name.