What is Hope Based On?

One day as a little kid, I was sitting at the kitchen table with a sibling or two minding my own business eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and pretzels, when my mom piped up and asked us what we were living for. I suddenly felt like a deer in the headlights. I didn’t even know I was supposed to be living for something, let alone what it might be.

I have an answer now, but I’ve often wondered where that question came from. I wonder if the thought behind it was what kind of hope did I have. That’s a rather deep concept for a kid. But as a full-grown adult, let me ask you, what are you hoping in? Do you have something you’re hoping in that keeps you going and gives you a reason to live? I did not until I was 15 years old and learned about and accepted Jesus Christ as my savior.

What about that gives me hope? The answer is in 1 Peter 1. I have hope, not because Jesus died for my sins. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Pet 1:3)

Jesus rising from the dead is the part of the gospel that is often left out, or tacked on in passing. But it’s the active ingredient in the gospel that saved me and you. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Rom 4:25)  I would not be declared righteous if Jesus just died for my sins. I’m declared righteous because he rose again.

Further, when my life is over, I’m not going to lay in a grave forever and ever, like I thought I would as a kid. No. I’m going to be raised up. And the only way that could happen is because Jesus raised from the dead first. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Rom 8:11) 

You see, when Jesus died for my sins, I was reconciled to God. But I am actually saved by his risen life. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Rom 5:10) 

The benefit to me of Jesus rising from the dead extends beyond a promise to also rise again when I die. It also gives me hope for while I’m still alive. Why? Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Rom 8:34) Jesus is alive in heaven making intercession for me.

I have power to live this life right now because Jesus raised from the dead and is still active on my behalf. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Pet 1:13) Someday, I’ll see him face to face—because he rose again.

Hope starts with the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.