With hope in christ, you are ready for whatever comes!

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s verses are 1 Peter 3:13-16, where the Bible says,

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? [14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” [15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

There’s nothing more wonderful than meeting a person who is filled with hope, is there? That’s especially true when their hope isn’t merely “wishful thinking.” Real hope comes from a place that is more solid than our best efforts, political desires, or cumulative technological savvy. Such hope is way more certain and enduring than that. Real hope is all encompassing and it’s all inclusive. That’s the kind of hope that Peter is talking about today in the reading. He wants to make sure that you know you can have it because of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for you, and for all. He then wants you to get ready to give that hope to others when the opportunity presents itself in the relationships that you have in this world.

So, are you ready to meet that opportunity when it comes? What would it take to do that? Ironically, what it takes most of all is being immersed in the faith relationship that you have in Jesus Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Let His Word dwell in you richly, as Colossians 3:16 says. Remember daily that you have been baptized into His Name, that you are His son or daughter. And in worship remember that you are invited to His Supper where He gives you His body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins, comforting you with His real presence so that you can face whatever comes your way in this world. Being immersed in His gifts will then start to “spill-over” from our lives into the lives of others. It just does.

I watched a new favorite movie this Easter season. It’s called “Risen.” (I love to watch “King of Kings,” “The Robe,” and “The Passion of Christ” every year too.) I highly recommend “Risen.” Throughout the movie, one can see the “spill-over” that comes when you meet people who are filled with the hope of the risen Savior Jesus. This movie is about a fictional Roman centurion who was present at the crucifixion of Jesus. He is called upon to verify that Jesus is dead by finding His body. To do so, he starts to round up Jesus’ disciples. He meets one of them, Bartholomew, and tries to get him to tell “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” even threatening him with death. Bartholomew’s reaction is precious. He smiles. He has such joy and hope in the resurrection of Jesus that even the threats of the centurion can’t take that joyous hope away. At the point of greatest fear, Bartholomew can’t help but “spill-over” the joy that comes from being filled with the hope that comes by faith in Jesus. The movie is powerful because it not only shows the weaknesses of the disciples, people just like us, but also the overwhelming hope that comes from knowing the risen Christ by grace through faith.

So, are you ready to face whatever comes with hope? These days we will often face the skepticism, ridicule, and hopelessness of an unbelieving world. But, incredibly, we will also encounter curiosity and, yes, the faith and trust in Christ that comes by the power of the Spirit-filled words of the Gospel that we speak to others in His name. It’s important to get ready for it all -- for the questions, the challenges, and also for the joyous responses of faith. We live in a pessimistic, yet arrogant world today. What is really needed is humble people with incredible, Christ-filled and Christ-engendered hope. Then, whatever comes, we’ll be ready because, in Him, we already are!

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, this world is a tough place. Sin abounds. But Your grace super-abounds (Romans 5:20). Keep my heart and mind focused on the eternal hope that I have in You. Then also give me wisdom to live hopefully in this world so that others might hear about and receive the joy that comes from living in You. AMEN.