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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Hope of the Nations

Jesus, hope of the nations
Jesus, comfort for all who mourn
You are the source of heaven’s hope on earth
Jesus, light in the darkness
Jesus, truth in each circumstance 
You are the source of heaven’s light on earth

These lines from one of our choir’s songs last week stand out for their relevance in light of the tragedy of last’s week murderous rampage in Newtown, Connecticut. Jesus is our hope and peace in times of trouble. He is a comfort to those who mourn. He is the light in a world of darkness. He is truth in a twisted and perverted generation. 

Those who know Him know that even in the midst of unspeakable horror, evil will not prevail. Jesus has already stepped into the ring with the “ruler of the darkness of this age” and has come out triumphant in His resurrection from the grave. And He gives the hope of eternal life to all who believe in Him. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the day Jesus comes again to fully exercise His righteous rule over all creation. 

But for now we still live in a fallen world. The “god of this age,” the “roaring lion,” the “thief” who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” knows his time is running out. We should not be surprised to see an increase of lawlessness. We should not be surprised to see violence on the rise. Satan and his demons are doomed for an everlasting swim in the lake of fire and sulfur, but they will not go out with a whimper. 

Friend, more than ever we need to cling to the cross of Christ for hope. Yes, sin is horrific. And the wages of sin, not just the murder of innocent children, but all sin, is death. But praise God, Jesus bore our sin in his own body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed! That’s the “living hope” that God gives to all who receive His mercy and grace in Christ Jesus.

Friend, more than ever we need to look to Him for comfort. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). We’re walking in that valley now, but the Good Shepherd comforts us with His presence, His power, His protection, His provision. He comforts those who mourn through such terror. Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He is our comfort in times of trouble.

Friend, more than ever we need to live in the light of Jesus. Against the blackest of sin’s darkness, Jesus shines brightly. Isaiah spoke of the Messiah to come saying, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2). Then into a sin-darkened world Jesus lit up the scene. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). Christ himself declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). We’ve witnessed enough of sin’s destruction in this world. Maybe you’ve had enough of sin’s darkness in your own life. It’s time to turn to Jesus.

And friend, more than ever we need to recognize that Jesus is truth in each circumstance. There’s no spin with Jesus. There’s no fine print or hidden clauses. He simply says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Satan is the “father of lies” and the master of deception. He makes promises he cannot keep. He offers pleasure and fame and power but leaves you empty and broken. In a world searching for answers, Jesus is Faithful and True.

As we mourn with those who mourn, let us not lose heart nor give up hope. The world needs to know that Jesus is still the hope of the nations.

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