Hope in this world?
by Ellen Clodfelter
Our lives are still reeling from a 2-year pandemic and over six million people have died. Everyone has either lost someone in their family or knows someone who has died from COVID. People are not the only thing being negatively affected by the pandemic; companies, hospitals, healthcare systems, supply chains, jobs, families, and churches have all been hurt.
Just as the pandemic began to slow down and our lives start to return to normal, Russia decided to invade Ukraine and put the whole world into global chaos. Thousands have been killed and millions of Ukrainians have been driven from their homes.
The global economy is suffering; inflation and gas are near all-time highs. Housing prices have exploded, and suicide rates are up 30%. It seems there is nothing good in this world. Just look at the news, it is all so depressing. It is almost impossible to find any news that is uplifting and filled with hope.
Over 2,000 years ago, the Jewish people were ruled under the oppressive government of the Romans. They had been waiting thousands of years for the Messiah to save them and take them back to the Promised Land. The Messiah would conquer the Romans and become King.
When Jesus began his ministry, many people believed that he was their Messiah. He had performed many miracles; he healed the blind, the lame, the sick, and even raised people from the dead. When he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, he was hailed as a conquering hero, the future King. People believed Jesus would free them from the Romans. There was so much hope in the air.
However, this was only a week before everyone turned against him and demanded he be killed. He was crucified on a cross and died like a common criminal. Even his disciples were terrified and scattered. Without their leader, his disciples were terrified and devasted. All hope was lost.
This all changed on that Sunday morning when the tomb was empty, and Jesus was alive. He didn’t stay in the tomb but rose so that we could live life abundantly. He is our promised Messiah. He is our hope and future. No matter what trials, temptations, or pain we may suffer we know that Jesus is with us every step of the way. No matter how shattered our lives are, he is our hope.
Easter Sunday is next week, and that tomb is still empty, and Jesus is still alive. Like the old hymn says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness,” and that hope is real!
Got hope?
