May the mumbling commence!
We have hope built on the Lord Jesus. And there is no expiration date. I love to read comics. It is one of my favorite parts of my local paper. Comics are one of the few places in the newspaper that can bring a smile to my face.
In the Hutchinson News, there is a comic called “Dustin”. They have been running a series lately about the “Kudlick Household Glossary”. Today’ installment is about expiration dates. Here is the definition: “A time-stamp date on an item of food that you consult right after you notice it tastes funny.” It is illustrated with a picture of Dustin (a young adult still living with his parents and trying to make his way) holding a half-gallon milk jug. It appears that he has been drinking from the jug and has an awful look on his face.
When it comes to Jesus and hope, there is no worry of expiration dates. We can freely drink from the living water and never fear a bitter taste. Read a passage from First Peter chapter one:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (Verses 3-9)
Good News! Read all about it. Indeed, the old-fashioned newspaper caller would have Good News to sell his paper.
“But, wait,” you say. “That is not how things work in my neck of the woods.” It is true. Things that sell newspapers are often ugly and bad. We are in a season of ramped up political campaigning. The mudslinging is at full throttle. God forbid that we talk about the issues. God forbid that we give equal airtime to good news.
We look at the newspaper and see stories about the young man who did a mass shooting at a movie theater in Colorado. We see stories about the scandal at Penn State. We see stories about the extreme heat and drought.
Some may look at the world and wonder how anyone can hold out hope. As Christians, we need to give reason for our hope. Read a short passage from First Peter chapter three:
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (Verses 15-16)
We are set apart as Christians – holy. We are not of this world anymore than Christ Jesus was. Our hope is not solely dependent upon the fortunes of our country or of the world. Be prepared to give an answer for your hope. Christ is that answer. But we must answer others with gentleness and respect. We seek not to drive people from Christ but to lead them to Christ. So our actions must match our words. And the attitudes they are built upon must be pure.
With Christ, there is no expiration date for hope. Praise the Lord!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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