Christ Jesus Our Hope

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope…” (1 Timothy 1:1)

Hope is hard to come by for many these days. Even in a time of low unemployment, high wages, and relative rest from global wars there is a note of despair sounding from the masses. Of course, we in the church are not immune from these feelings of hopelessness. In many cases, those who are most sensitive to the hurts and pains of others can be most prone to thoughts of despair.

I was struck by the opening lines of Paul’s letter to Timothy. He first states, as he usually does, the fact of his apostleship. It is not a self-selected position. Paul did not appoint himself an apostle. None of the apostles appointed themselves. They were called by God, and commanded by God to go into all the world as witnesses to the resurrection of Christ establishing churches grounded on this good news of the God who saves us. But what struck me in revisiting this verse was his description of Christ. He is our hope.

Friends, may these words penetrate to your very soul as they have penetrated mine again today: Jesus is our hope. Hopelessness is a reality, and you may feel that reality today. I don’t disagree with your feelings, but invite you to consider a truer reality: if you have Jesus Christ, you have hope. If you have Jesus, then right here and now you may have a solid, firmly-rooted confidence that no matter how hard and difficult things might seem today, one day all will be well and all will be right. Christ is Risen, Christ is King, Christ is coming again and all will be well…for all will be made right. Hallelujah! May Christ be ever before your eyes brothers and sisters and you will never lack hope. And those who have this hope, will never be put to shame.