Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Evangelical
on the Advent of Hope

on the Advent of Hope

Last updated on: December 12, 2020 at 10:19 am by Rev. Jared V. Ingle

on the Advent of Hope 2020-12-12T10:19:38-05:00 Rev. Jared V. Ingle

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Many blessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving and Christmas season! The first Sunday of Advent is traditionally a celebration of hope.

Matthew 1.20-21 | Hope Revealed

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1.20-21 (ESV)

When all hope is lost, the very thing that Joseph fears becomes his greatest joy, a hope revealed.

Matt 1.22-23 | Hope Fulfilled

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel” Matt 1.22-23

A prophecy is fulfilled (see also Isaiah 7.14). The word came from Isaiah’s mouth, but the oracle came from Heaven. Because of Passages like Isaiah 7, there are plenty of people forecasting and expecting the reign of the Messiah when Jesus is born.

The name Immanuel may not refer to the name as much as it does to what the Lord is doing. It’s common for Hebrew names to refer to more than a person. Immanuel is God with us, and a new generation will arise who knows this to be true.

The angel’s announcement is an announcement that God is with us, a hope fulfilled, a hope of the ages.

Matt 1.24 | Hope as a Catalyst for Obedience

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife. Matt 1.24

The angel seems to be saying to Joseph, All I require is your obedience. I’ve got everything else.

Hope is a catalyst for obedience, as we see for Joseph. When I think about Joseph’s response to Mary’s untimely pregnancy, I think he still wants to honor her. I think there’s part of him that wants to believe her, so the message from the angel seals the deal for him. I also think he cares for her deeply, so he is looking for an excuse to marry her. That’s my opinion.

Nevertheless, do you see how quick it takes Joseph to get back to Mary?

I believe verse 24 speaks for itself. Is true hope a catalyst for our obedience?

Matt 1.21 | Hope of Salvation

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Matt 1.21

Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua. The names mean savior, Yahweh saves, or Yahweh is salvation.

After 400 years Joshua leads the people of Israel from the deadly wilderness into the Promised Land. Their ancestors have lived in this land, but they have only hoped. For 400 years every generation has only hoped to be saved from Egypt’s grasp, and to re-enter the Promised Land.

Jesus is the hope of salvation and a new abundant life. We may not be returning to Eden, but we can allow Jesus to lead us into our Promised Land, to get us back on track.

Meet Jared

Long Lake Friends Church

Facebook
LinkedIn
[email protected]

Vlog | https://bit.ly/2J823SJ

Patheos Word Study | https://bit.ly/3lYEx9D

Previous Post

November 22, 2020

Stanton, Archie & Mary on People Facing Addictive Habits

Next Post

December 2, 2020 on habitual problem drinking

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Communion Cruz Ingle Crystal Ingle Early Church Engaging Culture Ethics & Society Family Formation History In Dialogue Jared & Crystal Kingdom of God Majority World Church Mateo Ingle Messenger College Mission Narrative Pentecostal Church of God Prayer Shepherding The Sermon The Writings Theology Theology & Psychology Traverse City Uncategorized Vernell Ingle Word Study

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 May 2017 March 2017 March 2014 February 2013 January 2013 October 2012 July 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 August 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Paul say in Philemon he would have liked to keep Onesimus to do?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Preach the word Help him while he is in chains for the gospel Serve in the church Care for the poor