Selected Scriptures: Christ, Our Only Hope

"...because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:78-79 (Zechariah's Prophesy)

Because of our own sinfulness, our lives are doomed. You have sinned, I have sinned, and every man who has ever lived has sinned, and that sin deserves the wrath of God. Thus, life is hopeless. The only logical solution for me and for you is to bear the wrath of God in hell. But what if there was another solution? What if there was another way that didn't lead to everlasting hopelessness? What if there was a Gospel?

In the Christmas season, this is what we see. We see a baby coming from a virgin's womb who would stand in the place of all mankind who would decide to trust in him alone for their salvation. He would be born of a lowly birth and eventually die a horrible death, though he had not sinned. He would obey every command, every rule, every principle, and every demand. Yet, he would be crucified. Awful, is it not? Certainly, it is. Yet this fact is also the only hope of our salvation.

In his prophecy in Luke 1, Zechariah used the word "sunrise" to describe Jesus, who would be a "light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." Let us take a moment to realize that you and I were those sitting "in darkness and the shadow of death" before Christ came. We were stuck in doom, despair, and utter hopelessness. But because of God's love and mercy, the story did not stop there--there would be a sunrise who would break through our darkness.

And thus, Christ was born. Born of a virgin, even in a manger, yet the hope of all who would choose to trust in him. "Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, has come to thee O Israel." No longer must men be stuck in darkness--there is a hope of peace with God because of a baby born in a manger. This babe was in fact the Messiah, who would serve yet reign, be hated yet love, be life yet die a crude death. He is our Jesus, he is our only hope, and he is the herald of this great message called the Gospel, that brings hope to you and me.

So, as you consider this Christmas season, take to heart how Jesus Christ is your only hope. You cannot save yourself, but God has sent a light amidst your darkness. He has come to dwell among you, that the longings of your heart might be fulfilled in Christ and in Christ alone. Amen!