Advent 2021 — Week 1

 

Jesus, Our Hope

This week we’ll be centering our thoughts on hope. It's a beautiful chance to remember the hope God offers to all through Jesus.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

—John 1:9-14

Without God’s intervention, we would be all slaves, bound up by our sin nature and hopelessly headed to the grave. Because of God's great love for us, He came down and rescued humanity by sending his Son as a sacrifice for our sin—so we could be free from the chains of sin and become fully part of God’s glorious eternal family.

 

I. Pause to be still

As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God.

Prayer of Approach

Holy Spirit, my hope and my comforter, would you awaken my heart, expand my mind and shape my perception and understanding according to the Truth and Hope that you brought to this dark world, to all humanity.

 

II. Rejoice and reflect

 
 

THINK

Hope is both a very important concept in Scripture. It is a state of anticipation, crucial to the human existence. Hope simultaneously causes a sense of tension and expectation while we wait for something to happen.

Hope was something that Jesus’ followers cultivated among one another and within themselves. They believed that God’s surprising response to our enslavement to evil was Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven.

Paul says that Jesus’ resurrection is “living hope” for those who want new life in Jesus, to become a new creation.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

—1 Peter 1:3-4

Paul also emphasizes that the good news about Jesus is not only for humankind but for the whole universe—this Hope is Jesus, who rose and overcame death once for all. In Paul’s words, it’s a “hope that creation itself will be liberated from slavery to corruption into freedom when God’s children are glorified.” —Romans 8:21

In summary, Hope is not wishful optimism based on the odds of something happening. Biblical hope is boldly and confidently waiting for humanity and the whole universe to be rescued from evil and death. Hope is a choice to trust and wait for God to bring about a future that’s as surprising as a crucified man rising from the dead. Hope looks back to the risen Jesus in order to look forward. And so we wait.

In Jesus, everything starts with a decision and is followed by a process of growth.


discuss

  • How did the video help you better understand the meaning of biblical hope?

  • How do you imagine the Kingdom of Jesus bringing hope to the evil and oppression in your context?


READ 

I will wait for the Lord, who has turned away from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my hope in him.

—Isaiah 8:17

I wait quietly before God,
for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will never be shaken.

So many enemies against one man—
all of them trying to kill me.
To them I’m just a broken-down wall
or a tottering fence.
They plan to topple me from my high position.
They delight in telling lies about me.
They praise me to my face
but curse me in their hearts. Interlude

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge. Interlude

Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind,
and the powerful are not what they appear to be.
If you weigh them on the scales,
together they are lighter than a breath of air.

Don’t make your living by extortion
or put your hope in stealing.
And if your wealth increases,
don’t make it the center of your life.

God has spoken plainly,
and I have heard it many times:
Power, O God, belongs to you;
unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.
Surely you repay all people
according to what they have done.

—Psalm 62


discuss

  • How can Jesus inspire you to stand up to the evil and oppression around you?

  • What problems, difficulties, or struggles are you facing today? How will you respond?

Reflect

Once God has spoken;
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God;
And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord,
For You recompense a man according to his work.

—Psalm 62:11-12

  • What do you think would change in your life if you believed this without any doubts? How do the truths in verses help you put your hope in God?

Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.

—Psalm 62:8

  • Take some time now to pour out your heart before God. Tell him everything that’s weighing you down and trust him with every detail. He hears you.

 

III. Ask God for help

Every day holds potential for growth, hope, and flourishing.

God, sharpen my mind and heart, and teach me to live and enjoy the life full of Hope you have given to me by grace through faith. May I grow spiritually and deepen in my hope for You and for others. Would you free my heart from these things that have been weighing me down and assaulting my trust and hope in you?

Pause and present your requests to Him.

 

IV. Yield to His Will in your life

As we prepare our hearts to celebrate Jesus’ arrival as a gift to all humanity and the world, let’s stir up in our hearts and homes a sense of hopeful anticipation. Over this Advent, we pray that Hope would rise up in our spirits, minds and hearts in a tangible and life-giving way.

Yielding prayer

Jesus, thank you. Because of You, death will not be the end of my journey. Instead, death will be simply a border I cross to enter my new and permanent home. I long for the day when I will live there face-to-face with you. Until then, help me live each day with hope. Open the eyes of my heart so I may see your love in everything and everyone. Fill my heart and mind with your hope and teach me to live a life full it, as you once did on this earth.

Yielding promise

And now, as I prepare to take this time of prayer into the coming day, the Lord who loves me says:

  • He has good plans for me to give me a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

  • By His mercy, He has caused me to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)

  • He is in our midst; He is mighty to save; He will rejoice over me with gladness; He will quiet me by His love; He will exult over me with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Closing Prayer

Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to You, in every way.

Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet.

Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.

Amen.

 

Want more?

 

The First Coming of the Messiah — Part I

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.[b16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,[c] and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. 22 When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

—Luke 1:5-25

 

Listen

Hope (Zechariah) by Poor Bishop Hooper

Old man hidden in
A ritual cavernous
Put your head down do your stint
Oil and incense

Barren so long that
You’ve gotten quite used to it
Remember when you used to wish
Still you never quit, still you never quit

Zachariah chosen by lot
All alone in the temple with God
How could he have seen the angel coming with a word brand new
To shatter hopelessness forever, shatter hopelessness forever

Are you hearing things, could it be as it seems
The hopeful voice before you’s, been quiet for centuries
Truly there will be, a very real offspring
For your boy awaits, divine appointing

Zachariah you can know this
For I come from the very presence
How could you believe that I was sent by the most high and lifted God
To shatter hopelessness forever, shatter hopelessness forever

Now listen for you must
I'll give your words to your son
Don’t lose hope or lose trust
He is a so very special one, none
None borne of women like him
None will be greater than him
For the prophets all foretold him
There’s messenger in him

He’ll make ready for the Lord all the people
He’ll make ready for the Lord all his children
He’ll make ready for the Lord all who listen
He’ll make ready the way, ready the way

Zachariah chosen by lot
All alone in the temple with God
How could he have seen the angel coming with a word brand new
To shatter hopelessness forever, shatter hopelessness forever...

 
Advent 2021Caleb Amundson