Wonder Of Advent #29

Lost Hope Found

Read: Luke 2:1-7

Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home.

Luke 2:4

ONE OF THE GREATEST crises of Jewish history was the interruption of David’s dynasty. The sack of Jerusalem by Babylon in 587 BC meant no one was on the throne in Judah; and even though some semblance of kingship was reestablished in exile and after the Captivity, neither Israel nor Judah would ever again have an independent kingdom in antiquity, with the brief exception of a revolt in the second century BC. Genealogies of David’s line were kept during this time, to be sure, as God’s prophecy to David many centuries before was clear: “Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). Or as a much earlier prophecy had predicted, “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor” (Genesis 49:10). Yet the scepter had departed, and no one honored by all nations had yet arisen. All seemed lost.

Would a descendant of David’s ever rule God’s people again? Was the scepter, whether literally or figuratively, still out there somewhere waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise? To the eyes of Jewish sages, this was a faith-shaking conundrum. Many could point only to the magnitude of Jewish sins and claim the promise must have been forfeited.

But God’s grace is greater than all sins, and as Gabriel assured Mary, “The word of God will never fail” (Luke 1:37). The promise had gone underground, but it had not gone away. Joseph was a descendant of David, and Mary likely was too. The Messiah did not appear out of nowhere; his lineage resurfaced in one couple of humble means. Jesus was the resurrection of age-old hopes.

There may be moments in your life when all seems lost. In those times, it will be critical for you to remember that there is continuity in God’s plans, even when they seem to disconnect. His promises may appear to go missing in certain seasons, but they are nevertheless still there. He is weaving his will throughout history—the world’s and yours—to fulfill it. Let the message of Advent rekindle your hopes, however faded they may be. All his plans will be accomplished, just as he has said.

Prayer

Lord, may my heart never give up on your promises. Your words are true; your plans are certain; my hope in you is always valid. Rekindle it and help me grow in faith. Amen.

REFLECTION

What things in the story of your life don’t make sense? Where have you lost hope? What does Advent tell us about how God works out his purposes?

Further reading: Numbers 23:19; 2 Corinthians 1:20

See, the gentle Lamb appears,

promised from eternal years.

“SEE AMID THE WINTER’S SNOW,” EDWARD CASWALL