Hope Beyond Affliction
But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things…, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. (Luke 3:19-21)
At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame. (Zeph 3:19)
You are warmly welcome! One after another, the candles of hope, peace, love and joy of Advent will light up – to remind us of the great message of the prophets and the imminent fulfillment of the same in Jesus Christ.
This season reminds us of hope and anticipation, and we believe God for revival in our spirits, healing of soul and body, and meaningful progress in education and career. Zephaniah and John the Baptist are among the prophets of the hope of the Messiah. Zephaniah’s sweet comforting words carried both a soon to come fulfillment among the Jewish exiles and a distant Messianic tone that is clearer today. The prophet’s own name “the Lord has hidden” corresponds with this secure protection. The Psalmist had said, using this same word, “He shall hide me in His tabernacle in the day of evil: in the secret of His tabernacle He shall hide me” (Psa 27:5).
All the four Gospel writers connect the rise of Jesus Christ to the ‘downfall’ and afflictions of John the Baptist. They all mention that John the Baptist was put in prison – some giving the details of the circumstances that landed the great prophet into this trouble. John the Apostle reports John the Baptist to have said of Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30). He had earlier confessed, ‘one who is more powerful than I will come’ (Luke 3:16). ‘Hope Beyond Affliction’ brings some comfort when we think about the bizarre predicament faced by John the Baptist and his disciples only a short while after Jesus Christ was baptized.
Eventually John’s situation did not get better; it got worse and worse until he was beheaded and died in that prison! His disciples must have been sad, and perhaps questioned what hope there is for them if their master could suffer such shame and pain at the hands of a sinful King Herod and her more sinful ‘wife’ Herodias! But there is good news – Our God reigns. There is hope beyond such and similar afflictions. We firmly hold onto God’s promise through Prophet Zephaniah: “I will deal with all who oppressed you.” The Messiah that had been well introduced is the hope of the fallen prophet and his former disciples; actually, they found a worthier and fuller Rabbi and Master in Jesus Christ. And we remain hopeful because He is the resurrection and the life – bright hope for those who remain faithful even to the point of death. For your life today and tomorrow, trust Him – our true hope indeed.
God bless you all!