Putting Hope in Christ
To
escape the murderous vengeance of his brother, Jacob left his home and took
refuge with his uncle. Being a sojourner, he of course hoped to establish his
own family. He loved his cousin Rachel, and willingly served Laban seven years
for her sake. To his surprised, that devious uncle tricked him in the arrangement
of marriage, forcing Jacob to work another seven years for him. In the end,
Jacob served Laban a total of fourteen years for Rachel. During the first seven
years, the mind of Jacob was filled with fancy, charm, joy and warmth. He knew
that another day worked was another day less of waiting, and another day sooner
to take Rachel as his wife. Love is a wonderful and powerful force. Because
Jacob loved Rachel, he experienced those seven years as though it was just a
few days (Genesis 29:20). The greatest hope in the heart of Jacob was to be
married to Rachel. All of the motivation for his toil and servitude originated from
love.
Jacob
had 12 sons, of which he especially favoured Joseph because Joseph was Rachel’s
eldest and born in his old age. Rachel died young, so Jacob put all his love
and hope on the person of Joseph, arousing the jealous hatred of his other sons
towards their brother. They sold him into slavery in
Joseph
was a slave and prisoner for 13 years in
By
the will of the Holy Father, Jesus Christ was sent, was betrayed, was
disgraced, suffered and accepted death. Then He rose from the dead to become
the Saviour of all sinners and bestow to us eternal life. The salvation
accomplished by Christ and the name, power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honour,
glory and praise due to Him far exceed that of Joseph. In the same way that
Joseph became the hope and salvation of the people then, Jesus Christ has become
our hope and salvation.
Jacob
put his hope on people. When he lost it, he had no more motivation and goal for
life. If we erroneously put our hope on the people, affairs and things of this
short life, we will be equally disappointed and heart-broken. Only Jesus Christ
is the true hope and assurance of our lives, for He is the unchanging, faithful
Lord. Jesus Christ the bridegroom has promised that the day of the wedding
feast of the lamb in heaven will come. The Church which is His bride should
joyously testify for Him on earth, offer love for love, submit to the Father,
patiently serve, be adorned, and wait and hope for the return of Christ.
“...Christ in you, the hope of
glory…When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him
in glory.” (Colossians 1:27, 3:4)
By: Daniel To