TUESDAY: Reflection – HOPE in SCRIPTURE
Monday, you read passages from Isaiah and Matthew. Go back to the passages where you accessed this devotional or look up Isaiah 62 and Matthew 1:18-24, taking a couple of minutes to re- read the passages. Recall I mentioned that the scriptures were about the HOPE for Salvation, Redemption, and the Incarnation. Does something strike you? Is it strange I chose scriptures to exemplify HOPE yet the word HOPE was not mentioned?
Hope is to trust in, wait or look for, desire something, or to expect something beneficial in the future. And as is the case in scripture, waiting or expecting something is often in contrast to current undesirable circumstances. Isaiah references the situation of Israel as being one in need of vindication; in need of being defended. He describes Israel as in a state of desolation, being pursued by their enemies, and being enslaved/ taken advantage of. As clearly as Isaiah conveys the miserable status of Israel, he likewise conveys that Israel can trust in or expect something beneficial in the future. Because of what the Lord God promised, Israel could hope for Salvation and Redemption; they would be vindicated, they would enjoy the toils of their labor, and would have none other than God himself rejoice over them.
How does Joseph convey HOPE? What is he waiting for or expecting that is better than his current circumstance? He was in the predicament of being committed to Mary, yet also committed to his good standing relative to the law. The knowledge of Mary’s pregnancy and the fact that they had not yet had sexual intercourse posed quite a dilemma for Joseph. We first learn he hoped not to disgrace Mary. Yet when the Holy Spirit poses the idea that Mary had conceived of the Holy Spirit, a brand new HOPE enters the story: the baby that Mary was carrying would save the people from their sins. Matthew’s account leads us to believe it was this one HOPE – the HOPE of an Incarnated Savior – that caused Joseph to resume his destiny; that of being the last part of the lineage leading to Christ. He places confidence in the message of the angel and resumes his role as Mary’s husband.
A wonderful, glorious consistency in Scripture is that no matter what the reference, HOPE in one way or another always contrasts our human condition and our need for a savior to the assurance that Salvation and Redemption comes in the form of an Incarnated person named Jesus who came to seek and save the lost!
Stay tuned: Wednesday I will reflect on Jerry’s sermon and his emphasis on HOPE.
Blessings for the rest of your day! Brenda TM