Hi
Today’s Holy Nougat is the continuation from yesterday; but it’s a harder chew for the reflection. Chew prayerfully
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
What then is the Hope we profess?
Christ died. Christ is risen. Christ WILL come again.
Once we agree that Christ was born, it is likely that we believe that Christ died. He was fully human. Humans die. And Christ’s death was a public spectacle – it was part of the annual festival accompanying the Passover. No, the Bible doesn’t say it in so many words, but the release of Barabbas was definitely part of the tradition; one person released. But Christ HAD TO die. For the annual practice of taking the sins out of community by placing them on the scapegoat had to be literally fulfilled – the world’s sins were nailed to Calvary and Jesus became OUR scapegoat!
A lecturer once said that a believer‘a faith was based on belief that Jesus Christ ROSE from the dead. No resurrection, no faith in Jesus. Yup. For the Jesus Who was fully human and died, was also fully God. Was and still is God. Yup. Just like that. To conquer death did not require the same treatment as conquering Sin. Sin required eternal Death as its payment. That’s paid in Full! Death requires something more. Resurrection by the Resurrection and Light-Life told death Who’s truly in charge. Jesus is our Hope of the resurrection.
But those two acts are stale news of all left for us is earthly sufferation and death. So Christ continues to make ready for us and then, when things are ready; Christ WILL COME AGAIN! Our God Who was, is still God, and will always Be God for ALL eternity! Oh yes.
That’s the Hope we confess, for in choosing to believe the mystery of Christ, we assure ourselves that we shall join Him in glory.
If we are preparing to join Him, although this world is filled with challenges we KNOW that Christ has overcome the trials of this world! And, as our Savior, He will help us overcome also. No, we don’t ignore life’s issues – Jesus was very present in this world and actively involved in people’s lives – but we recognize that there’s more to life than life. There’s life after this life, and we live now in such a way that we can be WITH Christ in the life eternal.
A mystery and our greatest Hope – everlasting life with Christ. It is the not yet of our three confessions. When Christ comes next, we HOPE to join Him. Until He comes, we strengthen our belief by engaging God’s Spirit, Who leads us into ALL truth.
We live in this world now, with our dreams and aspirations – which are uncertain. And we Hope for life in the next world with our Savior, which is certain. Yet we believe and work towards uncertain dreams and when they are shattered we once again doubt the validity of our Savior. Our logic maybe skewed. Yet God’s love supersedes it. Our faith maybe iffy, but Jesus remains our Living Hope. Things may look bleak right now; but it’s time to praise.
For if Jesus sent the Spirit to bring us into Truth, what we experience cannot be the fullness of God’s truth. Not until Christ returns. There’s more to look forward to- Hallelujah!
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
