What is hope?
The definition of Hope is “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.”
It is safe to say that we have all put our hope in something. The hope of a new job. The hope of finding a spouse. The hope of a loved one recovering from an illness. The hope that we will find healing in something that has happened to us in the past. The hope that this year will get better.
Where did this desire of hope begin?
It began at the beginning of time after a man and woman chose their desires over the hope and promises in God, their Creator. They believed the lies of an enemy who hated God and hated the beings that God had created and loved.
After perfection was broken, God had started to prepare the future hope of reconciliation of humanity with Himself.
That even though the world He created had become tainted, He would not leave the Ones He loved in their wrong choices.
For years, hundreds and hundreds years, God’s people waited. They waited in expectation and anticipation of the coming hope. God was still faithful to take care of His chosen people, even when they made mistakes and were led astray, Hope was still coming.
After all the years of waiting, even after they felt like giving up, HOPE WAS STILL COMING.
The stage is now set, Israel has been under their enemies reign for many years and hope seems lost. I wonder what the people of Israel were imagining this Messiah to be. “Maybe he will come as a mighty warrior. Maybe He will take the rightful title as King instead of Herod.”
But God had a plan. During the years of waiting, God gave the Prophet Isaiah the prophecy of the sign of the Messiah. The sign of Immanuel, God with us.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
And we now are entering the moment in history the Messiah will come.
When hope came down.
Prophecy revealed that He would not come in a way he should have come.
He chose to come when there was a decree for all male children to be killed.
He came when rulers were fearful of this “king” and would do everything in their power to stop it.
He came as a helpless, innocent, pure, child.
While He deserved to come in His full royalty, He entered this world as a baby surrounded by poverty.
He came through the line of imperfect people that would not be “worthy” in society's eyes. Yet, He chose people who had broken stories, and imperfections, to be a part of the coming Messiah.
Hope has come, but not in the way anyone expected.
Hope was revealed to those who were not seen worthy, but God chose them worthy to receive the greatest news, “Immanuel, God with Us” is here.
The hope of humanity is here.
Hope Has Come.
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, “God with us”).” Matthew 1:23 ESV
~ Sarah Sendejas
