I Have Hope – Only In Jesus

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him.”       John 14:6-7 (WEB)

Jesus is the path to a ‘good’ life.  In building a daily, ongoing relationship with Him, no matter what walls I must climb, no matter who become my traveling companions, and no matter even what path I must walk – Jesus is there and He is the way.

One of the ways that I know that Jesus is the way is that He is always all about truth.  Jesus doesn’t lie to me or deceive me.  His truth is sometimes difficult to digest but the truth is there.  Jesus said that I learn to know Him (and the Truth) by staying attached to Him like a branch stays attached to the “true vine” (John 15:1).

Jesus is life.   Jesus is real life, not just ‘make do’ or ‘OK’ life.  He is life that has hope in it and joy, irregardless of circumstances.  Jesus is life that has more grace and mercy and compassion and love in it than I can generate on my own strength with self-help books and a positive mental attitude!

And as I grow in this relationship with Jesus I come to know the Father, my Creator.  I begin to know God.  I know that He is real.

Be strong and courageous, don’t be afraid, nor be scared of them: for Yahweh your God, he it is who does go with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.”

Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous: for you shall go with this people into the land which Yahweh has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. Yahweh, he it is who does go before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you, neither forsake you: don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:6-8 (WEB)

Moses had spent a lot of time with God.  They had long conversations.  These conversations were not just about praising Him but included questions; ‘real conversations’.  The Israelites had that same opportunity.  God didn’t want just a personal relationship with Moses because he was ‘holy enough’!  God wants that kind of relationship with all of His children!  The Israelites said “No” (Exodus 20:18-19) and God said “OK”.  He’ll do that.  He’s polite that way!

It doesn’t tell me exactly why the Israelites refused this personal relationship with God.  I can only speak for myself.  I kept God at a distance for two reasons: 1) I didn’t want Him to know how un-holy I was.  That’s pretty funny!  God knows my spiritual state a whole lot better than I do!!! And 2) I wasn’t totally dumb – I figured if I got too ‘chummy’ with God and started to enjoy being around Him – I’d have to make some changes in my life.  I might have to give up ‘something’.

But Jesus made all the difference.  The writer of Hebrews says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” (Hebrews 6:19-20)  Jesus is the WAY.  Jesus goes into the Holy of Holies before me and I have ‘communion’; I ‘break bread’ with God Himself, My Creator!

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood [Jesus’ perfect sacrifice] and righteousness [Jesus’ right relationship with the Father]. -lyrics by Edward Mote, 1797-1874 (emphasis and additions mine)

I have hope because of Jesus.  I have a ‘hope–full’ life in Jesus.