Hope Doesn't Produce Faith

Scripture: But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see. Luke 24:21-24

Observation: The disciples on their way to Ammeus encounter Jesus and tell him of the events of the last few days, including that very morning. They know the tomb was found empty, they know this was confirmed by multiple disciples - checked and double-checked - and they know angels pronounced the resurrection. And then ... they left.

They themselves state they hoped Jesus was the Messiah, but it seems hope didn't fully manifest as belief. Certainly on the day of the crucifixion any belief would have been rocked as their was no context for recovery from that. However, they had more information on this day, including trustworthy reports, and yet by now their faith is unmentioned, and their hope is past-tense.

Application: There is a seeming juxtaposition in this passage between 'hope' and 'faith'. These two disciples declare Jesus to be a great prophet, and they were "hoping" he was the Messiah. They don't say "we believed he was ..." but "we were hoping that it was he ...". This is even after they have new facts concerning Jesus. There is evidence that this is not over, so to speak, as the tomb is now empty and there are angels making announcements. Yet they leave, their 'hope' a thing of the past.

In my case, faith has always been a precursor to hope. I don't hope in God, and then have faith. I have faith in the Lord, and thus have hope. This seems like a core element of Jesus, that faith then produces the hope and joy we need in our lives ... trying to find and cling to hope and joy does not then produce faith in Jesus.

Today, we are in a time when people are seeking hope. I pray that in that seeking, they will explore Jesus and find faith. I am confident that, when they find and encounter and believe in Jesus, they will then find hope. I am equally confident that they will not find hope, and then have that hope lead them to faith in Jesus.

For the women who went to the tomb, faith created the circumstance for hope and joy. For these two disciples, walking away in confusion and sadness, hope didn't produce faith or joy. That didn't stop Jesus from chasing them down and bringing them back, but even that he did by teaching and showing them the foundations of faith.

Prayer: Lord, today I do not declare my hope. Today, I declare my faith. I believe in the Lord God almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his holy son and my Lord and savior. I believe in the Holy Spirit and the power of God manifest in you kingdom here on earth. I believe in your sovereign authority in this and every circumstance. Do your will this day, my Lord. Amen.