WHERE IS THE HOPE?

As Christians our HOPE is not here! Our hope is not in a politician. Our hope is not in a vaccine. Our hope is not in the economy. Our hope is not in what this life has to offer. In short, our HOPE is in the Lord Jesus Christ and the promises of God! The world has a "hope so hope" meaning they hope things will turn out for the best related to the here and now. This type of hope is reflected in Jesus' words in John 14:27.

John 14:27 (NKJV)
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Note the words very carefully, "not as the world gives". Christ's peace is not sourced in what the world has to offer. The world thinks in terms of temporary circumstances. When all is going well they have a sense of peace, but Christ's peace is not based on circumstances or human resources. In context, Jesus is speaking the night before He would be crucified. John 14 begins with Jesus exhorting His disciples with the words, "Let not your heart be troubled". And what is the antidote to a troubled heart? Christ continued, "you believe in God, believe also in Me." (Jn. 14:1) In the same way they believed in God and His Word, they were also to believe in Jesus and His promises. The Word of Christ is the Word of God because in fact Jesus is God.

On the night before the life altering event of the crucifixion Christ turned the attention of the disciples to a future HOPE.

John 14:2–3 (NKJV)
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

The antidote for a troubled heart is our HOPE in heaven where Christ went to prepare a place for us. There is a special place beyond this life which Christ Himself prepares for us. We have the WORD of Christ on it. And then Christ presents the HOPE of His coming in which He will come again and receive us to Himself so that we might forever be with Him. This is our HOPE!

In the New Testament the word HOPE is the idea of "a certain expectation". Our HOPE is that God will bring to pass exactly what He has promised. HOPE is always attached to the PROMISE of God. What the world has to offer is like fresh cut flowers that quickly dry up and blow away (cf. Isa. 40:6-8). In contrast the PROMISES of God are always vibrant and fresh! They never grow old! They hold out an enduring HOPE that continues to strengthen and sustain us!

The BEST is yet to be - this is our HOPE! We have a FUTURE HOPE! The world has a "hope so hope" focused on the here and now. The Christian has a "know so hope" focused on eternity. In the "hall of faith chapter" in Hebrews 11 we have presented the HOPE that defines the people of God.

Hebrews 11:13–16 (NKJV)
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

These people of FAITH "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth". We are just passing through. This is NOT our home! We are strangers here. Our HOPE is in the future. But note that those who say such things "seek a homeland". They seek a PERMANENT HOMELAND beyond this life. As the writer says, "now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country." True believers long for our true homeland of heaven.

Last week I went to my uncle Jack's funeral. He was a man of God who served in the gospel ministry as a pastor for 50 years. He was 95 years old and was able to stay in his own home until the very end. But then one day he fell and his son who lived in the area found him and he was taken to the hospital. As he was in the hospital he said to this son that he just wanted to go home. The son didn't know what to say, but managed to say, "But dad I can't take you home." To this my uncle responded that he was talking about his HOME in heaven! Shortly thereafter he entered into glory! Indeed, "now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country."

It is because of our HOPE for a heavenly country that God is not ashamed to be called our God. And being our God He has prepared a city for us. This is a SPECIAL CITY that defies all comprehension. It is the city of NEW JERUSALEM that is spoken of at the end of the Bible in Revelation 21-22. It is glorious and will be beyond all that we can fathom! This is our HOPE!

Hebrews 13:14 (NKJV)
14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

The world lacks HOPE - it lacks a biblical HOPE of certainty! But for us as true Christians it is to be the defining reality of our lives. So much so that Peter says, "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for THE HOPE that is in you" (1 Pet. 3:15 - emphasis mine). In this time of dismal darkness may the HOPE that we have as believers shine in us brightly. This world is NOT our home! We are just passing through. THE VERY BEST IS YET TO BE! This is our HOPE! We have God's PROMISE on it!

Colossians 3:2–4 (NKJV)
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.