‘Hidden Grace’ was the evocative title for this year’s Derby Bible Week, which took place from 15–18 April. Jonty Rhodes (Christ Church Central, Leeds) was the speaker and his focus was the Book of Esther.
Famously, the Book of Esther contains no direct reference to God! God’s grace is perhaps ‘hidden’, but Jonty showed us the over-arching reach of God’s sovereignty that transcends the story, and the practical outworking of His providence in every twist and turn.
Jonty’s ability to take us through the narrative and into the court of King Ahasuerus, to meet Esther, Mordecai, and the sinister Haman, was wonderfully engaging. What was even more captivating was the spiritual application, as we saw the images and pictures of the saving work of Christ emerging from the story. There was much to challenge the unbeliever and a wealth of spiritual food for the Christian.
