Life is most difficult when it seems most hopeless. Our global landscape has changed drastically in the last few years. September 11th brought the reality of terror to the forefront of our collective consciousness. Scarcely a day goes by when we don’t hear of a car-bomb explosion in Iraq, the attempts of a violent minority to impose their will at all costs. One month ago, we were left awestruck at the catasphrope in southeast Asia with tsunami-evoked waves of apocalyptic proportions washing away an unfathomable amount of humanity. In the midst of such turbulence and chaos, hope can be difficult to find.

And yet…

For those with eyes to see – eyes of faith – hope is all there is. Like a peaceful melody playing off in the distance, hope is the faint echo of the world to come. It is the promise of reconciliation & restoration. The promise that one day, Christ will return to redeem this broken world. We must remember we live in a world of our own creation. God’s initial design was intimacy & community; WE chose disobedience & chaos. When God cast Adam & Eve out of the garden, He sent them out into a world of their own creation…a world where sin reigns…a world where justice isn’t always served…a fallen, broken, hopeless world.

And yet…

Into that brokenness, God enters. But not in regal fashion. Not with trumpet blast or pomp or ceremony. Our King was born in poverty, in a barn. Born to a teenage girl. Almighty Eternal Deity wrapped in flimsy, mortal flesh. All-sufficient Being embodied in the most needy package of all…a child. But this child of promise was the Messiah, God’s anointed one, brought forth to restore Israel and reign on the throne of David forever! Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest!

And yet…

He said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected by men. A man of sorrows. Very familiar with suffering. He bore our infirmities . He was pierced for our transgressions and He was crushed for our iniquities. And in that moment, when hope seemed all but lost, one turned to Him and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Kingdom? He’s dying! The man’s been beaten & broken & abused…and you ask Him to remember you in His Kingdom? This is no King! He has no Kingdom! You fool!

And yet…

Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Brothers & sisters, there is hope for us yet. In our moments of darkness, will we turn to Christ? Will we hope with a fool’s hope as we turn to Messiah? Even in pain? In suffering? When faith makes no sense? When doubt, thick as fog, clouds our hearts? Those moments will come, to be sure. But how shall we respond? May our response be one of hope. “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him (Job 13:15).”

Lord Jesus come quickly. But until that day comes, give us strength to live in the “and yet.” Amen.

May the hope of Christ reign in your heart.