[275 words]
My great-grandson is counting the days until Christmas. Almost every morning as we leave for school he will tell me how many days are left until the holiday arrives. He has “hope“ of getting presents, of being out of school for two weeks. and for all the good times that are waiting. Sometimes he says he “can’t wait!”
Paul wrote about a far greater hope that Christians have in Christ Jesus. He noted how Moses’ face shined so brightly after being in the presence of God that he had to wear a veil so people could look at him (Exodus 34:29-33). The Israelites had the “hope” of a coming Messiah–but did not understand what that meant. Christians know the hope of eternal life through the gospel of that Messiah, Jesus the Christ. Paul said this hope is laid up for us in heaven (Col. 1:5).
Jesus said He was leaving this earth to go and prepare a place for those who follow Him (John 14:2, 3). Think about the joy of someday being in that “mansion” prepared for all those who obey God’s will (Matthew 7:21). In fact, if we “know God” and have “obeyed Jesus’ gospel” (2 Thess. 1:6-9), that joy should be in our hearts even now, just like my great-grandson’s hopes for Christmas.
It isn’t popular to say today, but Paul said there is only one hope (Eph. 4:4)! That means there is no hope in anything or anyone else. Peter said there is salvation in no other name under heaven except Jesus (Acts 4:12). Do you have that hope in Christ, or are you letting the world entice you with some kind of false hope?
John K. Wills
Owingsville, KY