Where’s the Hope?
LYNN COWELL            

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

How had it all happened? What had she started?

It seemed like such a good idea at the time — the right idea. But then, as soon as Adam also took a bite, Eve knew. They both knew. They had been so very, very wrong. And now the damage was spinning out of control. Those intimate conversations with the Lord were no more. Home was no longer home.

And now this.

Her older son killing her younger. The unraveling wouldn't stop, and she knew the falling apart had started with her. As Ephesians 2 describes the situation, Eve was now dead in trespasses and sins, “following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2, ESV).

Was there to be no hope?

Have you ever experienced a pain similar to Eve’s? The knowing that it all began with you? If only you had made the right choice when you had the chance.

But you didn't.

And now …

It doesn’t have to be just “big things.” The small habit that became big. The distance that grew more than the day before. Our mind drags us back to all the tiny things, one wrong choice after another, that led to this. The hundreds of tiny failures that have brought us to this hurt we are experiencing today. This disappointment. This brokenness. This failure.

I think I understand Eve a bit.

Not the depth of pain she would have experienced with losing a child, but the possible wondering, Is all this — this huge mess — my fault? We are trained that “success” and “failure” all come down to someone. Someone gets the credit, and someone takes the blame.

The amazing thing is, there is One who gets the credit and who took the blame.

Jesus. He gets the credit for loving us when we were unlovable, and He took the blame for our sin that was not His own.

Jesus Cares About Your Joy
by Melissa B. Kruger           

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11

Last words matter. When someone dies, we often think back to our final conversation, remembering and reflecting on what we said to each other. I hope my final words will be full of love and care for those I leave behind.

On the night before He died, Jesus shared a final meal and conversation with His disciples. Though they didn’t understand that Jesus was about to die, Jesus knew His time was short. What was Jesus concerned about as He prepared to leave those He loved?

The apostle John recorded much of their conversation. In John 14–16 we read that Jesus comforted His disciples and encouraged them to not be troubled. He assured them that although He was going away, He would come back for them. He told them that if they loved Him, they would obey Him. He explained that the Spirit would come and dwell within them and be with them always.

He also taught them to abide. He told them He was the Vine and they were the branches. Apart from Jesus they could do nothing. They’d be dry and useless. But if they would abide in His Word and in prayer and obey His commandments, they would bear much fruit—all to the glory of God.

And then Jesus explained why He was telling them all these things. His answer is somewhat surprising. We get so caught up in what we’re supposed to do that we often forget the reason Jesus wants us to do what He’s asking.

As Jesus spoke these words, He was on His way to the cross. He was preparing to endure unimaginable pain. At this moment, what was on His mind? What goal prompted His last words to those He loved?

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” ( John 15:11).

Jesus was concerned about our joy.