The world today is plagued with a wide range of crises. From natural disasters, terrorism, war, diseases and bad governance, there is an increasing threat to the modicum of hope in the hearts of people. Some of the symptoms of hopelessness include discouragement, depression and suicide. According to the world Health Organization, about 280 million people suffer from depression globally and since depression may sometimes lead to suicide, about 700,000 people are estimated to die from suicide annually.

But Jesus gives hope despite all the crises around the world. While Jesus was physically on earth, the Bible records several cases of people who were in hopeless situations but whose hope was renewed when Jesus showed up. Two notable cases of how Jesus restored the hope of people are:

• The resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17). The young man was already being carried out of the city to be buried when Jesus met them and asked them to stop. Jesus restored their lost hope when the man was raised back to life.

• The woman with twelve years flow of blood (Luke 8:43-48). She had spent all her livelihood trying to find a solution to the constant flow of blood. All hope was lost until she touched Jesus and the flow was permanently stopped.

There are several other cases in the Bible where Jesus restored the lost hope of people. Though He is no longer in the world physically, He still gives hope to people through the Holy Spirit who is now actively working on earth in the lives of those who believe in Him. How then does He give hope today?

1. Through the forgiveness of sin and offer of salvation. The Bible describes those who have not found salvation through Jesus Christ as “having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). In other words, our hope is restored when we receive the gift of salvation and we can now “boast in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2). Jesus gives hope because of the message of salvation and new life that He brings. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers the opportunity for forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God, which can bring hope to those who are struggling or feeling lost.

2. Through His Word and Teachings in the Bible. When God’s word comes to us while we read the Bible or through the voice of the Holy Spirit, it has the power to give us hope. The Psalmist told God in Psalm 119:49, “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope.” In other words, God’s word can become an anchor to the soul in hopeless situations. The teachings of Jesus, such as the importance of love, compassion, and serving others, can bring hope and inspiration to those who follow him. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” This is why God’s word must become a daily addiction of every child of God.

3. Through miracles, signs, wonders, angelic interventions and divine provisions. Our hope and confidence in God are restored when we experience God’s miraculous interventions. The hope of Mary and Martha was lost on Lazarus. When Jesus eventually arrived, they told Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:20,32). But hope was restored after Lazarus was bought back to life.

4. Through the promise of eternal life. Life can be tiring considering the different challenges and trials that people face. This is why the promise of eternal life in heaven with God can be a source of hope and comfort for believers. 1 Corinthians 15:19 says, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

Above all, we must ensure that we remain in Christ as Christ also remains in us because Christ in us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). “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” (Romans 15:13).

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