Moving From “Hope So” to “Hope Sure“
Have you noticed all of the TV shows about capturing the elusive Bigfoot?
Admittedly, I’ve watched a few just for fun.
Is Bigfoot real?
Or, consider this, is this mysterious creature just a demonic distraction to sway the public’s attention from focusing on what is REAL?
Sounds more like what the Evil One wants to do – distract us.
The Bigfoot legend is a “hope so” for people.
Frankly, I’d much rather talk about a “Hope Sure”
“Hope So” to “Hope Sure”: Certainty in Christ
When I was a TV reporter back in the day, sometimes we would conduct man-on-the-street interviews.
I bet if I were to ask random people today if they believe in Bigfoot (or even UFO’s) a surprising number of people would say yes.
And yet, when it comes to a real historical recorded event like the crucifixion and glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior – skeptics are ready to mock believers and make us look like a bunch of fanatics.
Here is just a portion of Paul’s post-resurrection account in God’s written Word.
6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. – 1 Corinthians 15:6-8, (NASB).1
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest historical event of all time!
More than five hundred people (eyewitnesses) saw Jesus after His resurrection.
In a word, that is a large crowd of people! If you’ve ever attended a big concert or convention, then you get the idea.
Ancient, nonchristian, historical writers (i.e. Tacitus) also help to verify the Biblical account.
The “Prince of Preachers”, Charles Spurgeon, once wrote:
I suppose, brethren, that we may have persons arise, who will doubt whether there was ever such a man as Julius Caesar, or Napoleon Bonaparte; and when they do, – when all reliable history is flung to the winds, – then, but not till then, may they begin to question whether Jesus Christ rose from the dead, for this historical fact is attested by more witnesses than almost any other fact that stands on record in history, whether sacred or profane. – The late Charles Haddon Spurgeon, pastor and author.2
Can we trust in God’s Word?
Absolutely!
Anyone who teaches that the Bible is just a “dusty old book” is doing a disservice.
Now in case your sitting there thinking, yea but can I trust Scripture? Yes Christian Scripture has withstood 2000 yrs of critique, a true, reliable, and historical account of the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, who is no ordinary Man, a Man whose death and resurrection changed the course of history for the entire world, a Man whose moral teachings echo into almost every known part of the world, a Man Who claimed divine origin and status, doing things reserved only for the divine. Billions of people throughout history have testified that their lives were dramatically changed for the better by believing in Him. Jesus is the Reason for the Easter season. He is the reason we are here today. He is the reason some of you were invited. He is the Blessed Hope of the believer. Our hope is not a “hope so”, but a Hope sure! – Precept Austin commentary.3
No, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we don’t have to “hope so”.
By the grace of our Sovereign God, we have “hope sure”!
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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
2 Quotation by Charles Spurgeon, influential Christian pastor and author, (1834-1892) courtesy of the Matthew 28 Commentary, [2024] Courtesy of Precept Austin, Web. Accessed 18 January, 2025.
3 Quotation courtesy of the Sermon on the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, [2023] Courtesy of Precept Austin, Web. Accessed 15 January, 2025.
