Why Is Jesus Christ the Hope of All?
As we use the word hope casually in our day, we often use it as just wishful thinking. "I hope it snows tonight," and "I hope there is no school tomorrow." And sometimes the hope runs deeper: "I hope my business venture goes well," "I hope my house sells," or "I hope I can beat this disease, this cancer." "I hope that he notices me," "I hope she says yes." Often we use hope to refer to what we want in life. But when we pause to reflect about the deeper things in life, like, "I hope my life counts for something--that it matters," "I hope that I am truly loved," "I hope I know the right path to take in life." It is vital to realize that the truly important things in life can only be answered in light of the divine and eternal. What is right is a reflection of the character of God. This is the real source of our hope--for everything.
Knowing Jesus Is Knowing God
We read in John chapter one, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." God--we can't see Him--but he exists and with that existence comes the characteristics of personhood. I can't see your thoughts, but when you speak a word, I can hear what you are thinking. Your voice makes your unknowable thoughts known to me. And we can't see the eternal, Almighty God, but when Jesus came to earth and revealed the Father, He made Him known to us. That is why Jesus came, to make the Father known, to show His love, His wisdom, His power, His grace, His compassion. "The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (1 John 1:2-4). Jesus showed us what it was like to truly live. He was victorious where Adam failed. He did always the will of the Father, "not my will, but Thine be done". He didn't die a victim on the cross; He laid down his life willingly. It was an act of obedience, and it was an act of triumph over sin and evil. It was an act of making the Father known--to you and me.
Jesus Brings Us to God
And in that life, the life of Christ, He shows us the light that we need. Apart from being reconciled to God, apart from being in right standing with Him, we can't know what is truly worth living for in life. We can't have the joy and peace which is proclaimed to all men without receiving Jesus. We can't have forgiveness without faith in His sacrifice for us. The Bible tells us Jesus came, the Just, (that's Him), for the unjust (that's us), that He might bring us to God. We who believe have been given the Word of reconciliation so we can tell people how to be restored to God through Christ. On our own, we're aliens, strangers, enemies, and sinners, but through Christ and through His death and ressurrection, we are pardoned, forgiven, and sons and heirs of Christ. We're given the gift of eternal life. But eternal life starts the moment You receive His gift. When you receive Him, He remains with you through all eternity. Knowing God, today and forever, that is what eternal life is all about. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).
Perhaps as you listen you are thinking, "There are a lot of things I hope for in life." Let me encourage you to pause and ask yourself, "Am I really hoping for what is most important?" Are you hoping for a right relationship with God? To live a life that is pleasing to Him? To know Him as the true and living God who hears and answers prayer?
Our Hope This Christmas--and Always
If you have never received the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you are still at odds with God. You've been chasing your own dreams, your own life, and your own plans. Maybe you need to pause and say, "You know what, this is an empty, dead-end road. Nobody wins the rat race. Instead, I need the forgiveness, pardon, and reconciliation with God that comes through Christ Jesus. I need to receive Him as my Savior."
Or, perhaps you have received Jesus Christ by faith, but you've become distracted. "Well, I hope this works out. I hope this happens. I hope I get this. I hope we get a great deal on that car, that Christmas present." You've been a little overly focused on the here and now and have forgotten the weightier matters in life. If so, then let the message of Christmas and the gift of the Savior dawn a hope in your life today. A hope born of faith, faith in the truth that God loves you, that He is good, and that living for Him is worth it. In Christ we find true hope, true meaning, and true life. Let's keep our focus on Him and living for His glory. That is what matters this Christmas--and always.
Want to know more about how to have a relationship with God? Watch this video.
