HOPE - Having Only Positive Expectations

“Now that same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief pries handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more it is the third day since all this has taken place.” (Luke 24:13-

Have you ever wondered why this particular story is included in the Bible? Why this event? Along with the appearances Jesus made in the garden to the women, and to the disciples in the locked room, Scripture tells us that Jesus appeared to over 500 people following his resurrection. Why is it important that we know something about this encounter? Let me suggest that this encounter is recorded to remind us that Jesus has forever established hope. He comes to speak specifically to them at this moment because they are focused only the hopelessness of their situation. “We had hoped that he was the One – now that hope is gone.” “Not so,” says Jesus. “Your hope has not been misplaced. Your future is secure, and from this moment on you can expect it to only get better.” Christ meets with them to reestablish hope.

All of us have lost hope in some sense at some point in our lives. Maybe it was our favorite sports team that was so far behind that there was no hope in them winning. Maybe it was a little more serious, - maybe there was time when you were without a job and with no money and your financial future looked hopeless. Maybe it was a health issue where you thought there was no hope for you or your loved one. During those times perhaps you wanted to take the advice of Job’s wife, who told Job to “Curse God and die.” That’s the way the devil wants us to think, isn’t it? Mrs. Job was essentially saying, “God is not going to come through for you. Just give it up. Your discouragement is justified, because God hasn’t come through for you the way you expected. Your faith and hope has been misplaced. It’s not rational to continue in faith and hold on to hope. You should give up on God, because he has given up on you.”

Oh, how Satan loves to constantly inject an attitude of discouragement in people’s hearts – because discouragement leads to bitterness, to worry, to critical attitudes, to anger and to hopelessness. Discouragement always gives the devil the home field advantage. Perhaps the biggest problem with discouragement is that it is so contagious. When we choose to allow discouragement to get a grip on us, it not only leads us away from joy, but our negative outlook spreads to others. It infects others and leads them away from joy. It feels their hearts with doubt and emptiness. It undermines faith itself. The future becomes negative and hopeless, which is the exact opposite of how Christ wants his followers to live. Our Risen Savior has the power to conquer death itself! He is an awesome God! He brings hope to every situation, no matter how difficult it may seem. The Christian life is essentially a life of hope – in all things! Jesus reminds all of us today that no matter the challenge you are facing, we are to have hope!

Hope is that which connects us with the future just as memories connect us with the past. How do we know what has happened to us in the past? We know through our memories. We can think back at what happened. That is what hope does for our future. How do we know what will happen in the future? We have hope, which is our Lord, Jesus Christ. No matter the path, he will walk right beside us as he did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Sure there might be valleys, just as there were valleys in our past. But the hope we have in Christ Jesus should make us realize that in everything, His power and grace will be available to meet the challenge. What the disciples didn’t recognize at first was the basic truth that Jesus was walking right along side of them as they went along. Are you recognizing that today? What challenges are you facing that seem hopeless? Do you realize that Jesus is walking beside you, just waiting for you to trust Him enough to face that difficult issue? Having only positive expectations as you face it, is an expression of your trust and faith that Jesus is walking beside you and will provide whatever is needed to guide you through.

Some day we will stand before Him and see Him in all of His glory. We will worship Him and praise Him and dwell with Him forever. Hope gives us positive expectations of the future and nothing in all of creation can change that!

HOPE has come to your life if you walk with Jesus. Embrace it. Choose it. Model it for others. Let it guide you as you walk along life’s path. Edward Mote said it well in his song, “The Solid Rock.” “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; / I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. / On Christ the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand; / All other ground is sinking sand!”

Hoping you have a great day,

Pastor Tim
PT