Hope Against All Hope - part 2
‘While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe."’ (Mark 5:35-36)
You are warmly welcome! We especially welcome our dear children on this special Children’s Sunday. We also especially welcome the First-Year students, and pray for a successful semester.
As we continue with the reflection on the Christian hope, we have a story of a child that received special ministry from Jesus Christ to illustrate that Jesus is our living hope for life today and in eternity. She was twelve years old, a daughter of one of the synagogue leaders named Jairus. She fell sick and actually died, but Jesus raised her to life and healed her! I wonder what she exactly went through – what she saw when she was ‘dead’; I wonder what the people did when they saw her walking again; I also wonder how long she lived – if she got married later and got children and died as a real Jajja! All these questions may be difficult to answer, but one thing is for sure, Jesus raised her back to life and demonstrated that He is Lord of life, and our living hope.
As we watched the 10,000m race at the Paris Olympics, our daughter was leading in cheering the Ugandan participants, hoping that one takes the gold, or if not at least another African. We jumped in excitement as Joshua Cheptegei crossed the finish line to win the gold medal; but we remained on the screen watching those who followed him, especially the Japanese who still had almost two laps to go; unlike the ones who dropped off along the way, he finished the race and I really congratulate him too. One wonders what motivated him to go persevere to the end after all colleagues had finished, but there are serious lessons to learn. The need for persistence and perseverance is real in all our lives, especially when we have hope for a reward that is not just a medal or the pride of finishing a race at the Olympics.
Our hope in life as we persistently follow Jesus Christ is much greater than any imaginable earthly reward. The Lord Jesus Christ not only demonstrated power with miraculous healings, but also clearly showed that he came to save us for eternity. I love this song:
What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, what a wonderful friend is He,
For He left all the glory of heaven, came to earth to die on Calvary.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to King of kings.
We have a sure promise that Jesus who is our living hope will come back some day to receive us into an eternal fellowship with Him, where there will be joy everlasting. Let us persevere through the pains of this life here, following Jesus Christ with the hope of the blessed salvation He promised to all who stand firm to the end. God bless you all.