OUR HOPE: Where’s The Message?

‘The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever.’  Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

Several years ago we helped our daughter-in-law and two grandsons move from our town to a home near the army base where her husband, our son, was stationed.  He was in Afghanistan at the time, so we joined with his wife’s family to move them there, about two hours away, in one fell swoop.

I was following my husband’s truck.  Both of us had large loads, he with a motorcycle and plants in the back of the truck, and me with clothing, and more plants, and a trunk full of something or other.  But as we drove in a long line of vehicles, I was able to enjoy the beautiful spring morning, and the lovely countryside with its lakes and valleys.  It was beautiful.

As we went around a long curve on the two lane highway, I suddenly saw a long line of very tall trees, on my right.  And about midway down that line of trees, I saw a signpost.  It was white, and tall, yet still seemed a bit small, delicate in its own way.  And it had wrought iron decor on the top, and two empty hooks, with chains, at the bottom.  What I found strange about this signpost was that there was no sign hanging from it.  And when I surveyed the location and surroundings, I could not help but wonder why it was even there.

On the return trip we passed it again.  This time I slowed down a bit and really looked at it.  As I drove on by, I started thinking about how lonely and sad it looked.  I thought about it more and more, about why it was there, and what it once advertised or heralded.  As I drove on, I began thinking about another signpost.  This one was on a hill far, far away.  It was grand, but it was terrible.  It was the cross of Jesus.

All through our lives, we look for messages.  The message of the cross establishes our faith; the message of Jesus’ love, grace, and mercy brings our salvation.  The Word of the Lord is the message that changes people’s hearts.  Those messages will always be there, on that cross, in our Bibles, and in our hearts.  While the little white signpost no longer bears its message, the signpost on that hill is still displaying its message today and every day.  The message Jesus brings to this world is free, and is available to all.  His signpost is painted crimson, for His blood that covers us, yet it is white as snow, washed free of the sin He bore in our stead.  God’s Living Word, made flesh, holds that message which is the hope of the world, forever more.

So, where’s the message?  It is in Our Hope, our Lord, Jesus Christ!

‘For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him.’ Romans 6:9 (NIV)

Blessings!