Dwell – Day 7
Hope, according to dictionary.com, is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence, to believe, desire, or trust.
I remember Christmas Eve as a child. My brother had bunk beds so we slept in his room, excited and hopeful that we would get everything we desired the next morning under the Christmas tree. Do you remember that hope? Some placed their hope in Santa Claus, some hoped their parents would wrap up all the longed-for presents.
Long before the first Christmas, the world clung to the hope of the coming of the Messiah, Christ Jesus. All of Israel had heard about the coming King for generations. The prophet Isaiah told about Jesus’s coming in
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
The people of Israel were hoping for a King who would set up a kingdom where they would not be under the thumb of other rulers. They knew Who they hoped for but they didn’t know what to expect.
Many years later an angel appeared to Mary, a young virgin girl (Luke 1:26-38), who was engaged to be married to Joseph. The angel told Mary she was going to give birth to Jesus. It was hard for her to believe that she would be the mother who would bring the Messiah, the One hoped for, into the world. She knew Who she was hoping for, but she didn’t know what to expect.
As Jesus grew he lived a sinless life and started his earthly ministry when he was 30 years old. He told people about His Father, God, and He performed miracles. His disciples followed Him.
Jesus stirred things up and the religious leaders of Israel didn’t like Him. He threatened their place in religious society because of the miracles he performed.
Matthew 26:3–4explains that “the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.” They accused Him of being the hoped-for King of the Jews. But, they didn’t know what to expect. They sent Him to the cross to die an excruciating death.
When His friends came to his tomb on the third day they found it empty! (John 20:2-4) They hoped He was alive, but they didn’t know what to expect.
He was alive! But, He was not going to stay on earth. He ascended to Heaven with His Father. (Luke 24:50-51) Not what the people hoped for or expected.
But, Jesus did all that for you and me. He died and shed His blood in place of us. He paid the penalty for our sins. Then, He conquered death so that we could have eternal life if we believe in Him. (John 3:16) He rose from the grave and lives in Heaven. And, one day He has promised He will come again.
Because of Jesus, I am hopeful that He will come back for us.
I believe this because He kept His promise to come to earth long, long ago. And we know He always keeps His promises. We have the assurance that He is coming back, but we don’t know when. What a day that will be!
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Guided Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus so that we can have hope during the hard times in our lives. Thank you for always keeping your promises and for loving us. Please help us to share the hope we have with those around us. In Jesus Name, Amen