For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.” Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.” And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus had a powerful hope in God the Father, as he entered this world. So powerful, in fact, that he volunteered to give up his heavenly rights, riches, and power for a time, and to come to earth. Yes, he still had access to God’s Spirit and his provision as he followed him, but the seat on the throne as a universal ruler of the Godhead he somehow gave up, in part for a time, to rescue mankind.

And this hope he had was not a shallow hope, mainly thinking about tomorrow. He hoped long and big. He came to minister to the Jews, to build disciples so that they could witness to other Jews. He knew that this hope did not end there, but that some of these Jews would impact a man named Paul. Some would impact him in death like Stephen; others in life, and all so that he would transform from persecutor to follower. And then he would spread the light of Christ to the Gentiles (those of us who are not Jewish). Why would Jesus give all that he had up for this mission? It is because of God’s truth, he knew God to be true to his word. And he knew that his word had power to conquer darkness and ring in the light of truth.

So we too can have this same hope which was found in Jesus in our lives. This hope is an anchor for our souls. And we must trust the truth of God, God himself; that he will not only deliver on his promises but also blow us away with spiritual blessings.

Lord, thank you for your Son, who saw the long play of salvation for the Jews and eventually the Gentiles. I will become a servant for you. I will seek after your will with all my heart!