God specializes in the unexpected. No one expected the Messiah King to be born in a manger. Mary never expected an angel visitation, and Joseph certainly didn’t expect his fiancée to get pregnant. The shepherds weren’t expecting angelic visitors either, and the last thing on anyone’s mind that night in Bethlehem was that the baby would grow up to die on a Roman cross.
The crowds who greeted Jesus 30 years later when He entered Jerusalem weren’t expecting His crucifixion, and they certainly weren’t waiting for His resurrection.
Mary’s hopes must have been crushed when she witnessed her son’s death.
Yet God’s greatest surprise is raising the dead to life. Jesus himself said it:
Jesus still speaks this to us today, but it’s worth remembering He said it first to Martha in Bethany (John 11:1-43). When her brother Lazarus fell ill, she and her sister Mary had called on Jesus, fully expecting Him to come and heal their brother. Yet instead of answering their call quickly, Jesus lingered where he was. When he arrived in Bethany, he found Lazarus already dead and Mary and Martha grieving. Their hope had died along with their brother.
Perhaps this Christmas you find yourself in the same place as Martha and Mary, with hopes crushed.
Maybe a goal you set this year proved unattainable, or a dream you treasured didn’t materialize. Where you see impossible, Jesus sees fresh starts, new possibilities, and the strength He’ll give as you continue moving forward.
Perhaps you didn’t get the job. Where you see a shut door, Jesus sees the path He’s guiding you on.
Maybe you’re grieving the loss of a precious loved one. When you see loss, Jesus sees the promise of life and resurrection. Where you see grief, He sees comfort and new hope down the road.
Perhaps you love a prodigal who hasn’t come back home yet. Even when you see hopelessness, Jesus sees your beautiful heart –still loving, still praying, and still hoping against all odds.
Maybe your family isn’t Christmas-card perfect. Where you see brokenness, Jesus sees redemption and God’s steadfast love poured into emptied hearts.
Let’s Rejoice in the Hope We Have
As we come to the end of another year and the reality that not everything in our lives is what we’d hope for, let’s rejoice in the good things we do have. Let’s remember that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. His specialty is bringing life to the dead. He resurrects dead hopes. He brings people back to life, no matter how far they’ve strayed. And He proved His power by rising from the dead himself.
Martha and Mary never expected Jesus to resurrect their brother, but He did.
And the unexpected, broken parts of our lives remind us that we have resurrection hope in a person: Jesus Christ. He will make all things right in the end. He will bring life to the dead. He will bring His words to pass. Let’s believe them.
He is the Resurrection and the Life.
This post is part of an Advent series on the “I am” statements of Jesus. Here are other posts you may have missed:
When You Want More of Jesus in December – Intro to series
When You Hope for More Light in Your Life – “I am the Light of the World”
When You Are Hungry for the Best Bread Ever – “I am the Bread of Life”
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I needed to hear this today, there is always hope with the resurrected one.
Thanks
Jose
Yes, we do have hope always! Love you.
Betsy,
Thank you for such an important reminder that our hope is in One Person – Jesus Christ. It’s not in our spouse, our family, a friend, a loved one….it’s only in Jesus. Keeping my eyes focused on that helps me to lower my expectations of everyone else.
Christmas blessings,
Bev xx
Amen to lowered expectations on our people, Bev. I need to focus on lowering mine too. Eyes on Jesus, off of people. 🙂
Yes! This is spot on! The gift of Christmas is about so much more than even a baby being born, we see that the gift is in the whole story, the hard story, that brings life and redemption!
You’re right, Becky. The REAL gift came later at the cross, didn’t it? Blessings to you and Merry Christmas!
So wonderful to focus on resurrection in the midst of the traditional story of Christmas. There was no question in God’s mind as to why Jesus came, and it’s such a blessing to meditate on the prophecies fulfilled and the plan of God unfolding in the life and death of His Son.
Blessings to you, Betsy, as you celebrate with your wonderful family!
I love this reminder that no matter what happens we have hope in Jesus because he entered into this world and overcame death for us. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas, Betsy!
You too, Lesley! May the hope of the resurrection shine brightly in your heart, friend!
Dear Betsy, how beautifully put! Thank you for the gentle reminder that hope in Jesus is always in season.
Yes, Alice! I love that. Hope in Jesus is always in season!
Excellent, timely post, Betsy. Sharing widely. Merry Christmas to you!
Merry Christmas to you too, friend!
What a beautiful encouragement, sweet sister. Joining with you in rejoicing for the HOPE we have in Christ! Have a Merry Christmas!! XOXO
Thank you, Lauren. Merry Christmas to you too, friend!
Thanks for the Wise words of encouragement as we are drawing near to the end the year were our dreams or hopes have not been met.God is going to surprise us with the unexpected as he did to Abraham and Sara,Mary Joseph and many more as He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Yes, you are right, friend! He will surprise us with the unexpected, and it’s better than we imagine!
So comforting and beautiful, friend! Thanks for keeping me focused on the hope I have in Jesus and His truth! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
So beautiful Betsy as always.