It is the Advent season again
and yesterday we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent by lighting the hope candle. I love Advent because in the middle of all
the Christmas “hustle and bustle” Advent helps me remember that this is a time
of expectation and excitement, but not about the gifts under the tree. Advent helps me remember that the true excitement
of the season started with the anticipation of the coming of the long-awaited Messiah.
That anticipation brought hope to all who waited and watched for Him, and that
same Messiah brings hope to you and me. The hope He brings is the only hope for
the world.
The
King of Hope
In the past, the role of a
king was to rule a kingdom. Historical kings had complete domain and made all
government decisions. Kings would actively engage in rituals that reflected the
national tradition and religious influence. Historically, kings were solely
responsible for the well-being of their kingdoms. Although they had a court
with whom they would consort, the king held the ultimate power, and little
could be done or said to question his authority.
A new King ascending the
throne of a nation or an empire, was usually due to the death of the former
King. However, a new King could enter the picture as the result of a hostile
takeover from disgruntled subjects – a coup. No matter the reasons, a new King
would bring hope to a distraught or poorly run kingdom. The new King would
bring hope for rebuilding. Hope for a new life. Hope for regrowth. Hope for
change.
Today our world lacks
hope. We are desperately seeking
something with which to fill our empty souls.
Christmas, the birth of Christ, brings the hope we need. For a new King
entered our world offering hope to those who have been let down by the
imperfect ways of man; hope to those who have fought against the selfishness of
the world’s kingdom; and hope for all who are lost and in need of a Savior. We need hope that we can somehow be saved
from the mess we have made of our lives. We need hope that we are not too far gone, too
messed up, or too unworthy. Jesus is
hope and without Him, all hope is lost. The hope that Jesus brings is a real promise. It is not something that may or may not
happen. Our hope for forgiveness, for redemption,
and for reconciliation with God is already certain. Jesus sealed the deal with His death on the
cross. His birth brought us hope and His
death sealed it forever. Because He
sealed it forever, we have the living hope of Jesus Christ. It never goes away or runs low. We can apply this
hope to every situation we face in our lives today.
We are never hopeless as long
as we have Jesus Christ in our hearts. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of
Lords, and He doesn’t just bring hope – He IS hope. Just as there is no one above the King of Kings,
there is no other thing above
Him in which we can find hope. Jesus is THE hope for our hearts, for His
kingdom, and for the whole world.
Scripture to Claim:
May the God of
hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the
Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
