"Jesus is Our Hope"


You can easily see the glass of water here(point to it). No, it’s not a science experiment. But I am getting kind ofthirsty. There are two ways that you can look at this glass – and you’veprobably heard the expression before – “Is the glass half empty? Or half full?”

The person who looks at life as a glasshalf-empty is the one who thinks to themselves about situations in life –“What’s the point? There is no hope. I might as well just quit.” This is thetime of year when we hear the most negativity – from our friends, co-workers,spouses, maybe even you and me from time to time. It’s cold outside and all thegreen and life and vitality is covered up by snow. Christmas is past. We’ve putaway all the decorations. We’ve said good-bye to the family and friends whowere only in town for a visit. And to top it all off, you’ve probably justgotten the bill in the mail. January is kind a “blah” type of month; andcertainly a time when we’re tempted to look at life as being a glasshalf-empty.

But the glass half-full is a mindset ofpositivity in spite of any and all circumstances we might find ourselves in.These are the friends, family, co-workers with a positive attitude in life thatwe want to surround ourselves with. No matter how bleak the situation is, theglass half-full looks at life and all the good that is coming out of everysituation. There is hope!

Glass half-full describes the season ofepiphany. It is the time where we see Jesus revealed as God’s Son. Jesus obeyedhis parents perfectly. He was baptized. He performed his first miracle –changing water into wine. And he chooses his first disciples. Epiphany is anopportunity for us to rally around and follow Jesus in preparation for theseason of Lent. Epiphany offers us hope.

This morning, we want to study our OTlesson and be reminded that with Jesus, there is hope! Jesus is our hope!