Hope in 2020

Before 2020, waiting with longing hope was something to read about in the Bible. We could attempt to empathize with the Jews, waiting for their Messiah, but we may not have experienced the level of grief and desire they were feeling. A king was promised to come and free them from their current state of oppression and despair. Most of us probably have experienced hardships in our personal lives that bring great levels of grief. But how do we deal with a general suffering experienced by all of us at once? I don’t think it is necessary to recap all that 2020 has brought us to despair. It’s hard to keep our heads above water and not get pulled underneath the waves as they come crashing in, one after another. I have found myself joining with the chorus of people saying, “If we can just make it to 2021, it will be a new beginning, a brand new start.”

“If we can just make it to 2021, it will be a new beginning, a brand new start.”

But Christian, what are we guaranteed? What are we promised? This first week of the Advent season, we are celebrating the hope that is found in Christ. The prophets foretold the hope that Jesus would come to earth to rescue his people. He would live a sinless life in order to die on a cross and rise again. This frees us from what was holding us captive - the law, sin, and death. But we still experience the effects of sin until the day Jesus returns a second time, bringing with him a new earth that is void of pain, trouble, heartache - one where we get to experience God’s presence among us. So we find ourselves waiting once more, like God’s chosen people. Waiting for Jesus to return.

In Revelation 21, the Bible says:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Turn your eyes to Jesus, Church. This is how we hold onto hope.

Where is your hope this week? Are you hoping for a new year that will bring less chaos and suffering? Are you waiting for a vaccine to ease your anxiety or the triumph of a political party to calm your stress? There are so many things pulling at our attention, calling us to hope in them, and yet, they burden us! They don’t bring the peace that they promise. There is true hope. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30. Turn your eyes to Jesus, Church. This is how we hold onto hope. We focus on the one who will bring joy and peace. Who will take away all suffering, wipe every tear, and bring salvation to all who believe in him. Take hold of this benediction, and let it lead you to the lasting, fulfilling hope.

“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