Bible Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4
“The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity – hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory – because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross.” – J.I. Packer
Our world is a mess, overrun by sin and sin’s consequences. Sickness. Pain. Crime. Violence. Hatred. Sadness. Struggle. Things seem only to get worse and worse. It can be a challenge to see any hope for things getting better.
Thankfully, there is hope. There is hope for a life without sickness and. There is hope for a life without crime and violence. There is hope for a life without hatred, sadness, and struggle.
The Prophet Isaiah and J. I. Packer both wrote about the source of that hope – Jesus Christ. Isaiah said this about Jesus: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations…till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope” (Isaiah 12:1 & 4). In other words, the coming of the Messiah – Jesus – would bring hope to the world.
This hope, according to J. I. Packer arrived that first Christmas, when Jesus was born, a helpless baby, who would, just a few years later, die on the cross to give hope to the world.
The hope that Jesus gives to us isn’t a “cross your fingers” or “make a wish” kind of hope. The hope that Jesus gives is a calm, confident assurance that our sins are forgiven and we will live a healthy, pain-free, peaceful, safe life, a life of love and joy for all eternity.
Have you claimed your life of hope? Have you confessed your sin and stated your belief in Jesus Christ?
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope of a wonderful life in eternity through faith in Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.