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Sunday of Hope

In everyday conversation, “hope” sounds like a weak, passive, wishful sentiment.

I hope it doesn’t rain.

The Biblical definition is considerably more secure. For believers, “hope” is confidently expecting the fruition of God’s promises and grounded in the eternal strength of His steadfast love for us.

תִּקְוָה (Tikvah: Hope/Rope)

¹⁴Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.

¹⁵In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

¹⁶In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.
~Jeremiah 33:14-16

The word תִּקְוָה (tikvah) literally refers to a line, cord or rope for binding. The intent is that we cling to it as a lifeline to God.

In the time of the Prophet Jeremiah, hope was a tremendously important thing. During his lifetime, Jerusalem fell and the Children of Israel were taken away to captivity in Babylonia.

Jeremiah had received the message that the Land of Judah would fall to foreign invaders because of their breach of the covenant with God.

He did, however, have a tikvah to offer in the verses above. Just as God withdrew his protection for their unfaithfulness, He knew they’d get their act together and return to חֶסֶד with their God.

חֶסֶד (Chesed: Steadfast Love)

¹Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

²O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

³Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

⁴Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

⁵Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

⁶Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

⁷Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.

⁸Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

⁹The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

¹⁰All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
~Psalm 25:1-10

The word חֶסֶד (chesed) has been translated as “lovingkindness” and “steadfast love“.

While these certainly apply to God, the gracious creator of all in boundless measure, the expectation is that we should demonstrate the virtue of loving-kindness through the example set for us by God. Chesed is a spirit of charity toward others that is also well described as Christmas Spirit.

Tῶν Áγίων (Tōn Hagiōn – Holy Ones)

⁹For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

¹⁰Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

¹¹Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

¹²And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

¹³To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
~1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Paul, Silas and Timothy were writing to the nascent church in Thessaloníki (Θεσσαλονίκη) to encourage them to so thoroughly grow in ἀγάπη (agapē) {which is the Greek word for חֶסֶד (chesed)} that they would be judged by God as pure and blameless when Jesus returns in glory.

Áγάπη (Agapē – Holy Love)

²⁵And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

²⁶Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

²⁷And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

²⁸And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

²⁹And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

³⁰When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

³¹So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

³²Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

³³Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

³⁴And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

³⁵For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

³⁶Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
~Luke 21:25-36

Just as the destruction foretold by Jeremiah came as terrible news to the people of ancient Israel, this passage is downright frightening to all of us today. Nobody looks forward to destruction.

Where’s the hope in that?

Just as in all the readings above, the HOPE is found in God’s promise that every storm is followed by restful peace. Whatever is not blown away in the tumult enjoys the peace that follows. By holding tight to the HOPE of God’s promises through mutually steadfast love, we can hope to see the shining dawn of peace that follows every storm.

The HOPE of Advent is not the feeble, powerless hope of “Gee, I hope there’s some pizza left.” The HOPE of Advent is תִּקְוָה ensured through חֶסֶד for τῶν ἁγίων who aspire to live in ἀγάπη with God and their fellow people.

It’s HOPE on a rope!