Why should we put our hope in Jesus?
1. Because He brought hope to many others during His life
Matthew 11:5 : The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Jesus pointed out that what He was doing fulfilled the early portion of Isaiah 61, but also that John the Baptist (who was experiencing doubts) could hope in Him because so many people had already found their hopes fulfilled. People who spent their lives lame found restoration of their limbs. A paralyzed man experienced full healing as well as forgiveness of his sins. After being dead for a few days, a man returned alive to his two sisters through Jesus’ calling him out of the tomb. Also He elevated the position of women, recognized people considered outcasts, and even touched lepers.
If people of Jesus’ day could find hope then, so much more can we find hope today in what He says and does.
2. Because He never gave up despite opposition so that those who believe in Him could have a place in heaven.
Hebrews 12:2 : Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Troubles can induce us to give up on life and live in despair. Trials such as loss of loved ones and natural disasters that leave us penniless can all steer us from our purpose in life and leave us overwhelmed. Not so with Jesus. Having eyes fixed on the joy of seeing His followers come to heaven, He endured much opposition to His mission. Satan offered Him an easy life in Matthew 4, but Jesus resisted in firm commitment to the salvation of mankind. The people offered Him an opportunity to sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem, but Jesus again chose the hard road to the cross. Even when under great stress in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was obedient to the will of the Father.
Jesus wanted to see the scores of people who would turn from their sin and put their faith in Him, those would wash their robes in His blood and be cleansed so they could stand before a holy God
Like Jesus, we may experience opposition to our purpose in life, such that would deter us from fulfilling it. Yet also like Jesus, we can certainly resist in His power. We can do want God wants because Jesus paved the way for us by His example.
3. Because He conquered death.
For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. Romans 6:9
Eyewitnesses saw Jesus raised from the dead. Religious leaders such as Buddha, Confucius, and Mohammed are still in the ground. They never resurrected from a dead body, but Jesus did. The sealed tomb couldn’t keep him and Jesus walked out in power and glory. Why put our hope in someone who had no such power? His victory over death gives us hope that we may live forever just as He promised. Other religious leaders can’t promise you eternal life. Only Jesus did and He proved it by coming alive again under His own power.
We can have a firm and secure hope in Jesus because of He brought hope to many, He resisted opposition to His purpose, and because He conquered death. Because He lives forevermore, we can look forward to the eternal life He promised us.
May we all anchor our hope in Jesus Christ.
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