The world tells us that hope is looking to a positive outcome of a future event that may or may not happen. The Oxford Dictionary states that hope is an expectation of something desired. It’s often interchanged with wishing for things to be different.
For Christians, however, hope is more than wishful thinking. Our hope is sure.
Hebrews 11:1 tells us what this looks like:
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hope is the confident expectation of God’s promises regardless of the situation we might find ourselves in. It is the anchor for our souls in the storm. It sustains us in times of trial.
The ultimate fulfilment is our eternal hope, but we have hope of God's purposes in our lives along the way.
This hope is sure because of what happened that first Easter.
Easter commemorates the central event of the Christian faith — the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the very source of our hope.
The resurrection was real. It really happened. After his resurrection, Jesus was seen by more than 500 people. And this incredible event validates Jesus' claims to be the Son of God and Saviour of the world.
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 says:
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."
Jesus' resurrection is completely central to the Christian faith, as Paul writes in his letter above. His resurrection is what gives us hope that all believers will one day join Christ in being raised from the dead to be with him in eternity.
Jesus is the "first fruit" of a whole crop of new life. His resurrection proves that his death on the cross really did pay the ultimate price. In his death and resurrection, there really is true forgiveness and all who believe in him can have access to that perfect relationship with God.
The resurrection means victory over sin and death!
At Easter, hope takes on added significance as we remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ, assuring us of victory over our great enemies — sin and death.
It reminds us that no matter how dark the circumstances, whatever the mess we are in, how far we may have fallen, our future is certain through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
His resurrection is a historical fact, not a fairytale. Christians have suffered and died, are currently suffering and dying, to share this truth — that through faith in Jesus, we have a way into a living hope!
What is living hope?
Our hope — that we are forgiven and loved — is not only sure but also eternal and alive. It’s because our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, is alive.
1 Peter 1:3-4 says:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you."
This passage speaks about the ‘new birth’ that we have, the wholly transformed life because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. New birth into a living hope refers to the spiritual transformation that occurs when we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour.
It is a rebirth that changes our perspective, life goals, and identity. We no longer live for our salary, our hobbies, our relationships, our comforts; we live for the Lord. Because he lives, we can all face tomorrow. Our living hope is grounded in the resurrection of Jesus, which guarantees our own resurrection and eternal life with him.
Hope of Jesus compels us at London City Mission
London City Mission exists because we believe in this incredible hope we find in Jesus. For nearly 200 years, our missionaries have put their lives into God’s hands to serve people in urban areas of London to share this hope with those least likely to hear it.
In our Easter video, you’ll hear Linda’s story. She shares her horrific childhood, which involved severe alcohol abuse, beatings, severe trauma, and a search for a love she knew she was never going to find from her circumstances.
Into this pain walked LCM team leader Doug and Catherine, a woman he had been training for evangelism from Rye Lane Chapel.
As they met with Linda, heard her story, and patiently cared for her, Linda started to come to church. There, she heard the good news of Jesus. Finally, she had found the love she’d been searching for and something to hope for. Believing the good news, she repented of her sins and was baptised two weeks later.
“Now I have a father who loves me,” Linda says. “A father who doesn’t abuse me. I love him!”
The gospel has given Linda and countless Londoners like her a new living hope that will not perish or fade.
Easter is relevant for a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, global city like London!
You won’t get a religious event as inclusive as Easter. It speaks to the universal human experience of sin, suffering, and the need for redemption. As scripture reminds us, we “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”.
Through Christ’s resurrection, all of us have an opportunity to find that sure and secure hope – that living hope – because Christ has been raised from the dead.
Regardless of cultural background or religious belief, the message of Easter — of love, forgiveness, and new life — resonates with people of every nation and tongue.
And it’s available to us all. We just have to share it!
So what now?
Let’s not keep this incredible hope to ourselves this Easter. Let’s go out there and love our neighbours by sharing this fantastic news – the truth that Jesus is Lord and Saviour, the one who defeated sin and death by dying on the cross and rising from the dead.
Happy Easter!
LCM shares the gospel alongside the local church of London, equipping everyday Christians to lovingly bring a message of hope in Christ to those least likely to hear it.
Registered Charity No. 247186
