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HOPE FOR TODAY: Jesus models a life of radical love, bringing us peace, purpose, and belonging.

Jesus was born fully God and fully man into poor circumstances. His life was lived in solidarity with hurting humanity, experiencing pain, and grief. Modeling love in a radical relationship with outsiders and being isolated.  Jesus healed, re-named, and re-established people, calling out their true identity. Jesus challenged society’s norms and invested in a select few who most would have ignored.  He mentored them in order to renew culture.

Hope was highest amongst those who believed that Jesus was fulfilling God’s promise.  They imagined He had come to save their people from persecution by becoming a military leader… but then He died!  

Jesus chose to die a death He didn’t deserve, experiencing the consequences of our wrong choices, canceling them out in order to offer freedom and life to all people. Things did not look good after Jesus died:  His closest friends were hiding in a locked room full of fear, grief, and despair.  For them, it seemed all hope had been lost! 

The story didn’t end there; all hope was restored! Jesus defeated death, returning to life in a new, restored body.  He appeared to His friends for 40 days, restoring their identity, purpose, and belonging. He left them with an invitation to love others and tell His story. 

Continuing to be in a relationship with us now while in heaven, Jesus speaks to God the Father on our behalf. While on Earth, Jesus was limited physically to being in one place at one time.  When Jesus left, the Father sent ‘The Helper’ (The Holy Spirit) to us so that we can experience God’s presence at all times. We are never alone!

The Helper loves to rebuild and restore, and He is inviting us to partner with Him. He gives us strength for today: the strength to overcome fear and cultivate courage for ourselves and others. Like Jesus, we can radically love the hurting and isolated in our community, bringing renewal to culture. 

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, guarantees our hope for the future, where all of creation is restored. Because He is a promise-keeper, we need not lose hope but rather, take heart for today.

An invitation to interact with God in meditation and visualization:

As you meditate on today’s Bible verses, perhaps take time to listen: Jesus may want to highlight a particular part of His story that will release hope where needed. He may also want to inspire you with ways you can radically love others.

As part of your interaction, you may want to chat with The Helper about where you need strength for today, visualizing it with words, images, or music. 

You are not forgotten.