By Pastor Don Schatz

Consider…

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you…?” 
Matthew 6:30  English Standard Version

A little girl endured an 8 hour surgery.  Two hours in recovery.  Finally to her room late in the evening.  She slept through the night.  3 days later, she was allowed out with her mother on a tour of the hospital grounds.  She was excited.  So was her mother.

What must that be like, not only for the little girl, but for her parents?  Do you think Hope was in the mix in their hearts, minds and souls?  Not to mention the fuel for their prayers?  Yes.  I think so too.

Consider this.  When a Christian says there is Hope, it is not wishful thinking.  Primarily, the statement is not even about the “hoped for” outcome.  When a Christian says there is Hope, it is primarily abut Jesus.  “There is Hope.”  Hope exists.  It is not an imaginary thing.  “There is Jesus.”  The two are the same sentence, the same truth in the Scripture and in the faith of Christ’s followers.  All the other “stuff” that Hope might mean is secondary, at least, to the identity of Jesus with Hope.  Our Hope.  True Hope.

Consider this.  Jesus reminded his followers that God clothes creation in glorious, wonderful living color.  We live in a wonderland, truly.  We do not hope for it.  We live in it every day.  We might not pay it much attention.  But it is true nonetheless.  “How much more?”  “Will he not?”  Favorite questions of Jesus when he reminds us of the Father’s love.  We mean so much more to the Lord than anything us.  Look to him.  Trust him.  Embrace Jesus as your Hope.

Consider this.  A life lived with the conscious knowledge and trust that Jesus is Hope.  Hope exists as a living being.  Not “in” Jesus.  Just Jesus.  Just Hope.  In the Christian language, Jesus and Hope are the same.  Trust it.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado