Joplin Calvary Church of the Nazarene
11/27/11 Morning Service
The Beginning of Hope
“And again, Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jessie will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in Him’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy & peace as you trust in him, so that you may over flow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:12, 13
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7
The Hope of a Baby
There is nothing like expecting a baby. You whole perspective changes and so does your life. When we found out Michelle was pregnant I realize it was time to grow up. I have known many teens over the years. There are a lot of things for teens to have to worry about things like fitting in, overwhelming homework, fighting for a position on team, learning a new job are few. Carrying the Son of God, the hope of the world would not be one I would list as things a teen can expect to worry about.
It is easy to look at the Nativity Story and forget Mary was just a teenage girl. She was not giving special powers, she was not divine she was just an average girl called to do something which would be hard for any adult to do. Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager, the ridicule that can take place, the pressure to fit in, can you imagine all the Mary had to endure?
You have to wonder when Gabriel told her what was to take place, what went through her mind. How would she explain things, to mom, dad, Joseph, her friends? How could Mary possibly fit in now? How could she possibly have a future now? All the things she had wanted were in place before this news. A man had been selected for her, a good man, and she was to be married and provided for all a girl her age living in her time could ask for, and all the dreams she had dreamed before now were gone!
The curious thing though you really don’t hear Mary complaining, or whining about dreams she had dreamed being gone, and I wonder why? Why did Mary not, complain? Though Mary was just a teen you can tell that she understood that her dreams had been too small. Before the hope she had was to get married and have some children, and don’t misunderstand me those things are both wonderful things but God created her for so much more than being a wife and mother. Again let me just say, being a wife and Mother is such a great to accomplishment, but God did not make any of us just to be Dad, a Mom, a wife, or a husband. If we were just meant to be those things then our spouse and our children would be all we need to be happy to have joy. While those wonderful people in our life do cause joy and happiness like Mary God calls us to more.
Have you ever thought that our dreams may be too small? The American dream is not too different that Mary’s probably was, spouse, kids safety and security. Did God call us to live the American dream? People often become unsatisfied in the marriages, with their life because they look to their spouse and their kids to fulfill something in them that they were never meant to fulfill. Those things are not to be were our hope is to be found.
Jesus is our hope and this hope began when Mary heard the news, she was to carry the Son of God. Mary understood she had been dreaming to small. Understand I love my kids and wife so much, but they are gift from God to me, but they are not the source of my hope!
Seeing my children being born, gave me glimpse into the heart of God. I don’t know about you but my goal is to get to Him. My dream is to see Him face to face. Like Mary and many others I must admit my dreams at times have been too small, because they were placed in the reality of this world, instead of founded in the reality of God’s love. Meaning this world is not it that someday I will get to see my Father and Savior face to face.
Israel’s dreams had been too small for too long. They had placed their hope, Abraham, Moses, Elijah the big names, but in Mary’s time people get to see what Moses begged to see, the Glory of God face to face. Jesus is born into this world and finally hope had entered the world. Before salvation was based on human priest most of whom were corrupt, and they were the ones offering sacrifices for everyone else’s sin. Now finally and spotless, blameless offering has been born into the world for you and me! Boy does Mary have reason to hope, oh man do you and I have reason to hope! Jesus is born and with His birth comes hope. Finally Israel, you and me can have Joy and peace.