Jesus. You see His name on books, posters, mugs, and T-shirts. You hear His name in the media and on the lips of believers. On the eve of the new millennium, Time gave its cover to Jesus. In fact, in one year's time, He appeared on the covers of Time, U.S. News and World Report, Newsweek, Life, and Atlantic Monthly.

What's so special about Jesus?

 

JESUS . . . the Hope

The world's best art, music, and literature focus on Jesus. Further, many of our greatest universities were founded in His name–Harvard, Yale, and the University of Paris, to name but three. And although sinners murdered Him 2,000 years ago, today more hospitals, orphanages, rescue missions, and health and hunger relief agencies operate in His name than in the names of all other religious leaders combined!

All these things–and a hundred others–make Jesus special. But He did not come into the world to pose for artists, to have hospitals named after Him, or to inspire humanitarian activities. He did not seek to have His name printed on the stationery of famous universities. Jesus came to reveal to us the love of God. He suffered on Calvary on our behalf, He rose in triumph from the grave, and He gives eternal life to all who believe.

 

Jesus . . . the HOPE

The Christian hope is not wishful thinking or utopian fantasy. It is a divinely enabled passion for the possible. And with God, the possibilities are incredible. Think how the Emmaus Road travelers felt when they reached to take a piece of broken bread and saw that the hands that offered it were nail-pierced!

Our hope in Jesus is anchored in a sacramental past. The Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection form three acts in God's drama of redemption. The Resurrection is the capstone of hope. Peter wrote not only that we are saved by "the precious blood of Christ" but also that God "saves [us] by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:19; 3:21).

Our hope in Jesus anticipates a glorious future. You will survive your funeral. With sins forgiven and heart made pure, you can look forward to a blessed eternity. God also promises a new heaven and a new earth. Do not fall into despair waiting for His promise–even if in this world you are "rich only in hunger and thirst." Remember that "the God of all grace . . . [has] called you to his eternal glory in Christ" (1 Peter 5:10).

Our hope in Jesus activates the present. JESUS . . . THE HOPE frames our Nazarene core values.

1. We are a Christian people. In these times awash in pluralism, we remain distinctly Christian, embracing Jesus Christ as Savior, worshiping the triune God, and treasuring our Wesleyan heritage.
2. We are a Holiness people. "Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do," we are told (1 Peter 1:15). The Holy Spirit leads us to commit ourselves wholly to God in entire sanctification, which restores the image of God and produces within us the character of Christ. We no longer "live . . . for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God" (1 Peter 4:2).
3. We are a missional people. Our mission begins in worship. "As you come to him, the living Stone . . . you . . . are being built into a . . . people belonging to God" (1 Peter 2:4-5, 9). Our mission fuels compassion and evangelism. We "declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).

Our mission exalts Christian nurture, for we know that "the God of all grace . . . will . . . make you strong, firm and steadfast" (1 Peter 5:10). Service is vital to our mission as well. "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others . . . not because you must, but because you are willing" (1 Peter 4:10; 5:2).

JESUS . . . THE HOPE turns sunset into sunrise! "To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever" (1 Peter 4:11).