Our Eternal Hope

“Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” – Luke 24:26

Hope is essential for humans to live. Without hope, people lose their reasons for tomorrow. Yet, as they hope, many struggle with anxiety. There is nothing they can hold on to as a guarantee that things will turn out the way they wish. Are you one of those people today?

In the story of the Road to Emmaus, the two disciples lived in disappointment, for they had hoped for the Messiah to be king, not crucified on the Cross. Even after hearing the women’s testimony on Jesus’ resurrection and friends who saw the empty tomb, they could not believe it. Hurt and bitterness had driven their joy and confidence away.

Praise the Lord! The story of the Road to Emmaus did not end there. Jesus appeared and reaffirmed that He had conquered sin and death! The two disciples got up at that moment, unable to contain the joy they had in their hearts. Their spirits were on fire, knowing that Jesus was truly alive!

The Bible explains that hope is a joyful and confident expectation. We can live joyously and peacefully because Jesus has guaranteed the outcome of what we hope for!

When I was fighting cancer, I realized that no doctor could guarantee a complete cure. The medical term “remission” stands for a temporary diminution of the severity of disease or pain. I understood then why the world says whoever has battled cancer is called a cancer survivor.

One time, someone told me that no matter what, cancer is cancer. That struck me for a while. I could not imagine how I could live the rest of my life in such uncertainties. I do not want to lead a life of fear when my cancer is in remission.

I searched for a guarantee of my long-term hope, and I found Jesus as the only answer. I have confidence in Jesus because of the miracles He has done in the past, and His resurrection... which proves He is alive. Today, I see Jesus is still working, having witnessed many healing miracles in His mighty name.

The world could not give me a cancer-free statement, but Jesus can, and He is the One who provides complete healing. I will not call myself a cancer survivor, but a conqueror. Because Jesus has conquered death, I can live joyfully and confidently when I put my hope in Him.

When we deal with difficult situations in life, we often get hurt and disappointed. We may be sad and discouraged because of our circumstances. These negative emotions make it hard for us to hold on to hope. It could even reach a point where we reject the comfort of our family or friends.

If you are such a person right now, I want to encourage you to place your trust in Jesus. Do not live under the shadow of disappointment and fear. Trust in His resurrection which gives eternal hope to all of us.

No power in heaven or on earth is above the name of Jesus. Your sickness, bankruptcy, retrenchment, or whatever your problem is, it comes under the authority of Christ. God longs to shower us with His blessings that He sent Jesus as the assurance of our hope. May we receive it today and live in victory!

Jesus’ resurrection is the centerpiece of our hope.