Hope

Sometimes, the Christmas season can come across as pure sentiment and nostalgia. Eventually, however, it passes, and we move back to the reality of life. Nowhere is this more true than the day after Christmas. The adrenaline of the new toys and presents fades. And left in its place are kids who say they are bored and don’t have anything to do. This is where parents suffer. This time can feel like the middle: not Christmas anymore, but not the excitement of the New Year. The middle has historically been a place of trial and tribulation. It’s in the middle that we begin to feel the weight of exhaustion. It’s in the middle that we long for resolution (or a New Year’s Resolution). It’s in the middle that we become aware of our weaknesses and vulnerability. It’s often in the middle that we suffer. This is why it’s so important that we recognize the importance of Advent. If we allow it to do its work in us, we slow down and are prompted to be patient. Advent is important because it counterbalances the overemphasized “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” What if it’s not that wonderful? What if it’s painful? What if there is hardship? What if there are struggles? What if there is suffering? Is there hope in this place? There is, and advent reminds us of this hope. This line by Fleming Rutledge reminds us of what happens if we miss the importance of Advent and search for meaning within the decorations and festivities. Rutledge says, “The church can’t survive on sentiment and nostalgia. Sentiment, nostalgia, optimism – these are weak thin fuels.” What we need is truth—truth that is found in the Scriptures. Truth embodied in the life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. When we know the truth and live the truth, it changes everything. This is where Advent is helpful. The word “advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” and it has a double meaning. It refers both to the past coming of Christ in the incarnation and the future return of Christ. The incarnation was marked by suffering; the final return would be marked by the presence of Christ as victorious King. Advent is a time to reflect deeply on all that is hard and holy—to face the tension of our fears and not cover them up with Christian platitudes. During Advent, we ask real and hard questions. Where is Jesus in the midst of my suffering? Does God actually care, or is this life a sick and cruel joke? Our hearts want to rush to the answer. Advent invites us to wait with patient endurance to grasp the true magnitude of the pain so we can celebrate the magnificence of the Prince of Peace. As we embark on Advent, I can’t think of a better guide than the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah found himself sitting in the middle of patient endurance and was told about future hope. Rather than experience immediate help, rescue would come through the reality of the suffering servant. Isaiah then gives us a vision of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53:1-12. In a shocking turn of events, as we turn the pages of the New Testament, we realize that the suffering servant of Isaiah is none other than the great King of heaven and earth, Jesus. And what does Jesus do through his suffering? Ultimately, He secures our freedom. How does He do this? First, Isaiah 53:1-3 tells us that Jesus is the “arm of the Lord.” This phrase is used throughout the Old Testament as a metaphor for the strength and power of Yahweh. Surprisingly, Isaiah 53 points out that the strength of the Lord would be seen from a position of weakness, not power. The outcome of this power? Our healing and wholeness (Isaiah 53:5-6). We are healed through His stripes. We find peace through His persecution. Jesus “bore” the iniquity of humanity on the cross so that we may receive His righteousness. The idea of the suffering servant “bearing” our burdens recalls the image of Samson carrying the gates of Gaza to the top of the mountain (Judges 16:1-3). The people of Gaza wanted to kill Samson. But he escaped death by ripping off the gates of Gaza and carrying them up a mountain. In 1 Corinthians 2:8, we are told the rulers of this age would have never sent Jesus to the cross if they had known what would happen. These evil forces wanted to kill Jesus. Jesus doesn’t escape death. Rather, He endures death and conquers death through death. Jesus, the greater Samson, carries a weight so much more significant. He carries the weight of sin and death and does so, carrying up Mt. Golgotha. Jesus didn’t suffer for his blasphemy; He suffered for ours.Jesus didn’t suffer for his rebellion; He suffered for ours.Jesus didn’t die for his sins; He died for ours. And maybe the most spectacular part of all of this is the silence of the suffering servant through all of the injustice He endured. Yahweh, the maker of heaven and earth, “spoke” when He brought all creation into existence. Jesus, the Son of God, the spotless and innocent lamb, stays silent as He suffers and secures freedom for creation. As we wait and endure and even suffer sitting in the uncomfortable middle of our lives, we do so looking back at the cross. We remember all the suffering that the servant endured. And in so doing, we can endure now with confident assurance of His future return—not as a suffering servant but as victorious King. Recommended Resource: Where Do I Belong? Finding Our True Home Through the Study of Exile in the Bible.    There is an important connection between the themes of exile and advent. In exile, we wait for our return home. During Advent, we wait and remember when Christ first came and reflect on when Christ will return again. Both are interconnected because when Christ comes he will bring the fullness of the Kingdom of God which is in fact our eternal home in the new heavens and earth. This study through the Biblical theme of Exile reminds us of our true home and the hope found in the waiting.

Concluding the Believers in Babylon collection, Ben Stuart explains Daniel 12 and shows the connections between it and the Bible concerning the end of the world. Join us in discovering the hope that lies before us in our future.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13   You are the God of hope.   In a world often downhearted and filled with despair, You remind me that hope is never scarce.  When I look at my circumstances with weary hesitation, I remember that hope in You is offered in abundance.   You are Living Hope—  hope personified.   Even when it seems as if darkness is winning, or when I stumble or fall, or when I am facing suffering, pain, trials, or persecution, I must never give up on You.    No matter how bleak my things may seem, I must cling to the fabric of your garment.   Because You are a sun and shield; You bestow favor and honor; and no good thing do You withhold from those whose walk is blameless.   So, I pray that I will rejoice in hope,  be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer.   I choose to believe that when You say You will do something, it will surely come.  Not because of anything I have done but because of how good You are.   I trade in my cynicism for the highest expectations, trusting that You can do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within me.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.     This Week’s Reading: Daniel 8, 2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 13 & 17 Before you read…   Daniel 8 takes us deeper into Daniel’s prophetic visions, this time with more specific focus. Unlike the broad, sweeping panorama of world empires in Daniel 7, this chapter zooms in on two significant kingdoms: Persia and Greece. The vision in Daniel 8 occurred in the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, roughly two years after the vision of the four beasts in Daniel 7. At this moment, Daniel is around 70 years old, serving faithfully despite the turbulent shifts in political power around him.    – Read Daniel 8 –   What did I just read? In Daniel 8, Daniel receives a vision that unfolds while he is at the fortress of Susa, a significant center for the Persian Empire (8:2). This vision centers around a ram and a goat, representing specific kingdoms that will dominate the scene of history.   The Ram (8:3-4). Daniel sees a ram with two horns, one longer than the other, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire. The longer horn indicates Persia’s dominance over Media. This ram charges west, north, and south, conquering with unstoppable force—a picture of the expansive power of the Medo-Persian Empire.   The Goat (8:5-8). Suddenly, a goat with a prominent horn between its eyes charges swiftly from the west. The goat is so fast that it never touches the ground. This goat represents Greece, with the prominent horn symbolizing Alexander the Great. The goat’s swift movement speaks to Alexander’s rapid and decisive victories over Persia. But at the height of its power, the horn breaks, symbolizing Alexander’s sudden death. In its place, four smaller horns arise, indicating the division of Alexander’s empire into four regions led by his generals.   The Little Horn (8:9-12; 22-25). From one of these four horns, another “little horn” emerges, growing exceedingly great toward the south, the east, and the “glorious land” (that is Israel). This horn represents a future ruler who will defy God, attack His people, and desecrate His temple. Historians agree that this figure is Antiochus IV Epiphanes– the Greek king who brutally persecuted the Jewish people and desecrated the temple in 167 BC. While this prophecy was fulfilled in Antiochus IV Epiphanes, it also foreshadows a future figure, often seen as a precursor to the figures described in the New Testament (2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 13). Meditations God Foresees History Daniel 8 reveals God’s precise knowledge of future events. He knows the rise and fall of empires and the actions of kings long before they happen. The LORD is never surprised by the twists of history or the schemes of rulers– He sees it all and works through it all to accomplish His purposes.   Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you need to trust God’s foresight and sovereignty?   The Tension of Perspective Daniel’s vision exposes the tension of living between present realities and future prophecies. Heavenly perspective brings weightiness to his everyday life. Although Daniel was troubled by the vision, he faithfully continued his duties (8:27). This reminds us that while we may feel the weight of future concerns, we’re called to stay faithful in the present. God gives us glimpses of the future not to paralyze us, but to prepare us. Reflection: How can you stay focused on what God has called you to today, even as you long for His future promises? Prayer Lord, You are the One who sees the end from the beginning.   Help me trust You with the unknowns of my life.   Forgive me for doubting Your plans.  Strengthen me to stand firm, even when times are difficult.   I long for the day when all kingdoms bow before You.   Your kingdom come, Your will be done.   Amen

Louie Giglio teaches through some of the final words in the book of Revelation. In today’s reading, we see the promise of a new heaven and earth and rejoice over the hope of the new Jerusalem and our eternal dwelling with our Father.

Louie Giglio walks us through Revelation 20, centering on the infamous topics of the Rapture and judgment in the end times. We are reminded that our salvation is the most important thing about us and that our lives and works should reflect this free gift, leaving us confident in Christ’s return.

You’re tired, friend. Physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally. No matter how much sleep you get, your soul yearns for rest. True rest. This liturgy is for you and yours, seeking a place to lay your head amid chaos and disruption. God, my heart aches for you. I long for your steady, constant, and peaceful presence.   When I notice destruction on all sides, I look to you for refuge. When the voices around me sound increasingly overwhelming, I search for your voice to be heard above all else. When feelings of anguish, loss, and turmoil consume me, I pray that you will fill me with your joy and peace that surpass all understanding.   You make me lie down in green pastures and lead me beside quiet waters, refreshing my soul. So, I am requesting that you refresh my soul today, God.    Whether I’m making a home out of a hospital room, or the responsibilities of life are crushing me, or I’m mourning the loss of a relationship, or I’m staring into the face of debt and financial deficit, or I just cannot seem to catch my breath in the busyness, I trust You.   In the darkest night of affliction, I find rest in You and You alone because You are Emmanuel, God with us, and You’ve never left or forsaken me.   Help me stop and remember that your goodness and love will follow me all my life. Give me the comfort of your promise that I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul emphasizes its importance: “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:13–14). Later in the same passage, he writes, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17).  It’s important to note that Jesus’s resurrection differs from resuscitation. While figures like Lazarus or Jairus’s daughter were brought back to life only to die again, the New Testament teaches that Jesus ascended to heaven and still lives (Acts 1:9). In Romans 6, Paul explains that Jesus’s death, resurrection, and ascension mean that death no longer has a hold over him. Significantly, Paul asserts that this is also true for those who identify with Christ (Romans 6:1–11). Jesus’s resurrection forms the basis for our future hope. Despite its central importance to Christianity, critics have raised questions about the authenticity of the resurrection. Some have argued that the disciples either invented the story or that the reported appearances were merely emotional responses to Jesus’s death. However, the evidence points to a physical resurrection. The Gospel writers do not explicitly narrate Jesus’s resurrection, but they provide details about the empty tomb and Jesus’s appearances to his disciples after his death.  The Gospel Accounts The Gospels offer a general framework of the discovery of the empty tomb, but the specifics vary. Matthew alone notes the presence of guards at the tomb (Matthew 28:4, 11–15). The Gospels differ in their lists of women who visit the tomb: Matthew names Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” (Matthew 28:1); Mark includes Mary Magdalene, Mato try, the mother of Jesus, and Salome (Mark 16:1); Luke mentions Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others (Luke 24:10); while John only mentions Mary Magdalene (John 20:1). Additionally, there is a difference in how many angels appear at the tomb: one (Matthew and Mark) or two (Luke). Matthew explicitly refers to “an angel of the Lord,” whereas Mark and Luke describe men in white garments, a common depiction of angelic beings. These apparent discrepancies can be easily reconciled. The Gospel writers emphasize different details in their accounts. The omission of the guards in Mark, Luke, and John does not mean that they were not there. It is a detail that Matthew introduces before the resurrection (Matthew 27:62–64), requiring him to resolve it. The various lists of women are not contradictory and can be harmonized, likely representing different subsets of a larger group. Matthew makes the appearance of an angel more explicit than Mark and Luke. A detailed comparison of all four accounts will reveal even more differences, but these are the types of variations one would expect from multiple eyewitness perspectives. Far from undermining the story, these differences point to the authenticity of the record of the empty tomb. Resurrection Appearances After his resurrection, Jesus appears to several of his disciples. Paul reports that he appeared to Peter, the Twelve, and then more than five hundred disciples—many of whom are still alive at the time of his writing (1 Corinthians 15:5–7). The Gospels indicate that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:10–18) and the other women who came to the tomb (Matthew 28:8–10), two disciples traveling to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35), and Peter individually (Luke 24:34). He also appeared to the disciples on at least five different occasions: twice in Jerusalem (Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–23, 20:24–29), in Galilee (Matthew 28:16–20), by the Sea of Galilee (21:1–23), and at his ascension (Acts 1:3–11). Critics argue that either the disciples made this up or else they experienced some grief-induced vision. Paul had a slightly different experience than the disciples on his way to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19; 22:6–16; 26:12–18). In his vision, only Paul saw Jesus and understood what he said; the people traveling with Paul only saw a light and heard a noise. Paul’s vision provides a template for the kind of psychological experiences that critics describe, but something real happened to Paul—the light left him blinded.  In the Gospels, when Jesus appears to the disciples, he eats with them and touches them, suggesting a physical appearance. Additionally, visions are typically singular, personal experiences. The fact that Jesus appears to the disciples as a group indicates that these were real, physical, bodily appearances of Jesus. The Resurrection Invented? The day after Jesus’s execution, the Pharisees requested that Pilate secure the tomb to prevent the disciples from stealing the body and claiming that he was raised from the dead (Matthew 27:62–66). Modern critics have made the same point. However, several problems arise with this approach to the resurrection. First, most first-century Jews anticipated a general resurrection at the end of the age. Martha expresses this belief before Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:24). Most people outside of Jewish circles would not have a concept of resurrection. The disciples themselves would not have conceived of a two-part resurrection: Jesus’s initial resurrection followed by the resurrection of his followers.  Second, if the disciples corroborated their accounts of the resurrection, they would have framed the stories differently with more consistency. In the first century, women were considered poor witnesses. The Gospel writers probably would not have listed women as the first witnesses of the resurrection nor described the initial doubt of the disciples. If they invented the story, they would have included more credible witnesses and omitted any doubt.  Furthermore, the disciples were imprisoned, persecuted, and even killed for their faith in the resurrection. When other Messiah movements failed, the followers typically dispersed. It is hard to imagine that Jesus’s disciples would endure so much rejection and suffering for something they fabricated. Conclusion During his ministry, Jesus made claims about himself that led to his execution. Even before he arrived in Jerusalem, he was aware that his actions would lead to his death. After Peter’s confession that he is the Messiah (Mark 8:29), Jesus predicted that the Jewish leadership would reject him and that he would ultimately be put to death (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33–34). When the High Priest examined him, Jesus affirmed his role as the Messiah, which led to his execution. By raising him from the dead, God vindicated the claims that Jesus made about himself. At Pentecost, Peter summarizes the point: “This Jesus, whom you crucified, God has made him both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).  Even though the resurrection is grounded in history, there are immense theological implications. By identifying him as Lord and Christ, Jesus alone can save us. By laying down his perfect life for our sins and then rising from the dead, God breaks the power over death and sin for those who believe in his Son.

Grant Partrick breaks down Hebrews 10:23-25, emphasizing the call for believers to draw near to Him, trust His promises for our lives, and link arms with one another by committing, planting, and rooting ourselves in and among a group of people with the purpose of love and good deeds in us.

Katherine Wolf shares her inspiring story of suffering, perseverance, and hope, encouraging us to shift our mindset from the “what ifs” to “what is.” She teaches that if we’re looking for an escape hatch from the “what if” loop, we must have hope in God.

Far too often, we approach our daily lives with the mindset that we must maximize every second or else we’ll miss out on a “successful” life. As our calendars fill and margins slim, the frenetic pace and pressure of life begin to generate a constant flow of anxiety, stress, and fear. If left unchecked, this unsustainable striving will leave us broken and empty, disconnected from the peace and pace God intended for our hearts. However, in His grace, God established the Sabbath to help us counter the chaos of striving. What is Sabbath? Simply a day, or a season, where we stop, rest, and remember who God is and what He’s done. It’s an opportunity for us to declare once again that our confidence and hope are in God alone, not in our own abilities or wisdom. It is not time off, to simply disconnect from the world, but it is time up. Time to look up; to fix our eyes on the source of our true strength; to reconnect with the One who made us and who loves us. When we participate in Sabbath, we commit to stopping. We make space in our busy schedules to slow down, pause, and surrender our striving efforts. This is how we begin to move from the non-stop, never-ending, rush of life to recenter ourselves on God. When we carve out time to stop, we let God’s peace set the pace of our souls. Then, from that place of stopping, we aim to rest in God. It’s this rest that helps our hearts resonate with God’s character. We begin to understand and believe that, as His children, we have already been accepted into His family. There is no level of striving or seeking that can diminish or elevate that reality. We’re not missing out when we’re resting in God; we’re refueling. We know God, and in that, we have all that we need. Lastly, we not only rest in God, but we also aim to remember. All throughout the Scripture, God encourages His people to remember His ways, goodness, and power. God has shown up in the past and He will show up in the future, so we can turn to Him and trust Him with our today. It’s our remembering that should propel us to live lives of faith and dependence on God.  These three themes will be woven throughout this Sabbath journey and these daily reflections. As we begin, stop and ask that God would help you uncover areas of restlessness as you seek to find rest in Him. Only He can satisfy your deepest longings, so let His peace set your pace and draw near to Him. He is eager and wanting to draw near to you. For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved;     in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

This Sunday, Grant Partrick opened Exodus and unfolded the story of Moses, which brought forth the question that so many of us get stuck asking in our lives: “Who am I?” God’s answer to this question changed everything for Moses, and it can change everything for us.