Easter Hope, April 2021
In the book Believe, Randy Frazee writes:
Unfortunately, too often humans put their hope in things that over promise and under deliver riches, people, idols, government. The only true source of hope is found in Jesus Christ. Christ and his promises become an anchor for our souls and the reason we can persevere. Of all the promises Jesus has made to us, the promise of eternal life with God is the most significant. No matter what we may be going through today, we know what happens in this life is not how our story ends. Our story ends, or really only begins, in the presence of God in his eternal kingdom. [Believe, p. 417]
There are things I hope for but am not very confident about. I hope I might win the lottery but I am not very hopeful that this will happen– especially since I don’t buy lottery tickets. I hope that someday our elected officials will learn to work together instead of against each other. The team I hoped for did win the Super Bowl, but that celebration ended long ago.
The Christian faith is based on a Living Hope- a Lasting Victory! The Living Hope is something that is “still unseen” and I am waiting to experience, but it is not like these other hopes. The lottery doesn’t promise me that I will win. But the Bible does!
The Bible promises this Living Hope of everlasting life to everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ as their Savior. We can all be winners! The Book of Hebrews mentions our blessed HOPE . Here are a few of the passages:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10.23
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6.19
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11.1
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. Hebrews 6.11
The Apostle Peter also writes about the promised hope of eternal life with Jesus. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1.3
Once a young lady came to my door, and invited me to attend their “celebration of Jesus’ death.” I thanked her for the invitation– but also affirmed that I prefer to “celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.”
Paul the writer of 1 Corinthians, affirms what was believed and “passed down” from the first believers. “But now,Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (who have died). He also writes: “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15.57).
So let me ask you a question? What are you hoping for? Do you have a hope that anchors your soul? Do you have faith in the promises of Jesus Christ? I believe in an eternal hope…an Easter Hope. I believe that there is a resurrection to everlasting life for those who trust in Christ! So, no matter what happens while I live in this human body– there is something better to come! Amy Grant sings, “In a little while we’ll be with the Father, can’t you see Him smile…we’re just here to learn to love Him. We’ll be home in just a little while.” Even when death comes to us or our believing loved ones the Bible says, Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. (1 Thess. 4.13).
May you be filled with “blessed hope” as you look ahead to what God is doing, and preparing for those who faithfully wait.”
Pastor Mark