"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ."
Titus 2:13
Part 1
We are borrowing a phrase from Paul’s statement he is writing to Titus, in verses 11-14. He is encouraging Titus to always put sound doctrine in front of God’s people. This is a charge to all pastors and teachers of the Word!
In our verse for today, Paul is teaching the importance of watching for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. When He was with his disciples before He went to the cross, He made them this promise:
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).
On the Mount of Olives, the day Jesus returned to heaven, note what the Angels promised all believers.
“And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10-11).
In hard times we believers need to remember these promises!
“Looking for that blessed hope.”
Jesus is our blessed hope! There is no greater hope for the child of God than to see his/her Savior. Faithful Jews in Jesus’ time had been waiting for the Lord also.
“Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counselor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus” (Mark 15:43).
“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him” (Luke 2:25).
These men and others were able to rejoice in the first coming of the Lord as they met Him in person. At His incarnation, He brought us the gospel.
“But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10).
Today we are longing for his second coming, for He is our hope!
A reminder for believers. Our hope is a confident assurance! It is not a childish “I hope it will snow, so I don’t have to go to school tomorrow,” kind of desperate wish.
Jesus Christ is always the object of the believer’s hope.
My hope[1] is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood, and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Chorus
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
Please come back tomorrow as we finish this great verse.
[1] “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less,” verse 1 and chorus. Lyrics: Edward Mote (1797-1874). Music: William Batchelder Bradbury (1816-1868). Copyright status, Public Domain.