Hope is the hard work of trust.

John the Baptist in all of his prophetic tenacity, embodied the hope the nation of Israel had for the coming Messiah. The promised one that was to come would be known as a prophet greater than Moses, the Prince of Peace, the Son of David who would restore Israel from the oppressive Roman rule. Even so, John, the same man who proclaimed that Jesus was the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29), also sent a message from prison asking: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3). 

In John’s honesty, we can see glimmers of our own dashed expectations and doubt. There he was imprisoned by the government that Jesus was supposed to rule over. Here we are some 2000 years later still seeing injustice, sorrow, sickness, and sin run rampant inside and outside of the community of faith. Doubt can have a constant draw to those that see and know so much pain. 

But even so, Christ’s response was one where he showed John that He indeed was bringing forth renewal in ways that John was not expecting. Likewise, our hope can be renewed in knowing that God is, at this very moment, making all things new (Rev. 21:5). As believers in the Lord Jesus, we do not put our trust in our expectations, hopes, longings, or in our preferred ideas for a flourishing world. Instead we trust in the person of God who has promised great things.

Guiding Question

• Relating to our current cultural moment, what about John the Baptist’s story of hope and subsequent doubt strikes you?

Resting in the presence:

• Take 5 minutes or so to sit in the presence of God while reflecting on this theme of hope. Sit in a silent posture and ask the Holy Spirit to guide to a posture of hopefulness.
• If you are finding it difficult to stay focused, read and pray through 1 Peter 1:3-9.