“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

According to Scripture, certain crucial qualities intended for meaningful existence were lost in the Fall. The loss has profoundly impacted individual and collective human experience. In a paper I once presented, I recall mentioning, “With disobedience comes a slew of negative consequences that include disease, disorderliness, discomfort, despair, disappointment, disaster, dishonour, and all sorts of other ‘dis’s.” These outcomes are far-reaching and touch on every aspect of human life, imposing hopelessness on humanity. Hopelessness is a state of despair in which individuals feel profound pessimism and futility about the future. This feeling often involves believing that one’s situation is unlikely to improve, leading to a sense of helplessness and an inability to effect positive change. Reverend Loan Sauca opines: “As every new day is dawning, anguish, desolation, and hopelessness seem to prevail everywhere.” Consequently, restored hope and meaningful existence became the sine qua non of human earthly life.

Our theme will explore “Restored Hope” and “Meaningful Existence” as implications of Christ’s resurrection for humanity. First, I would like to define each phrase to assist our comprehension. On one hand, “Restored Hope” conveys a sense of positivity and renewal after a challenging period. It suggests a return to a favourable state characterised by new opportunities, renewed strength, and a refreshed vision. On the other hand, “Meaningful existence” refers to a person’s central purpose for living and how they justify their life to themselves and others. It relates to life’s significance, fulfilment, and satisfaction. A life that is considered meaningful is one in which a person feels engaged, connected to their highest values, and able to utilise their talents and passions, thus conferring a sense of fulfilment.

Both phrases encapsulate some of the benefits the believers enjoy from Christ’s resurrection. Before Jesus Christ, we lived in a world devoid of hope and with the vibes of meaninglessness. However, the resurrection of Jesus brought about a profound transformation that not only revived our hope but wholly restored it. Apostle Peter presses this home, saying: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Peter describes our restored hope as ‘living’ because it is active, vibrant, and growing. It is not a static or stagnant hope but one that breathes, moves, and evolves with us. It is as alive as Christ, who rose from the dead and lives forever. Unlike worldly hope, which often fades as quickly as it flares up, our hope in Christ is vibrant, active, and enduring. It sustains us not because of our circumstances but because of our position in Christ, secured through His resurrection. This hope is not rooted in the uncertainty of life but in the certainty of God’s promise.

In addition, this restoration is not a simple repair but a total renewal beyond the mere restoration of what was lost. It is a complete transformation of our lives, which were once shattered by sin, as they are now made new in the image of Christ. It is similar to a home wholly rebuilt from the ground up following a disaster. This is corroborated by the phrase, “He has caused us to be born again to a living hope.”

We were reborn from our old ways of hopelessness and helplessness to a new life full of hope and meaning. We now have grounds for optimism and are motivated to persevere towards our aspirations despite previous obstacles. Christ’s resurrection changed the status quo. Without resurrection, there is no new birth, and without new birth, there is no hope. Therefore, without resurrection, there is no hope, and meaningful life would be a mirage. With our hope secured, our existence gains meaning through our new identity in Christ.

Isaiah 54 speaks about restored hope and the meaningful life promised by God for those who trust in Him and His redemption to encourage those who feel marginalised or defeated to believe that renewal is possible and that God’s love is unfailing. He says: “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.” (Isaiah 54: 4). He continues: “For a brief moment, I abandoned you, but with deep compassion, I will bring you back. In a surge of anger, I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness, I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer. “To me, this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:7-10)

Therefore, we must understand that amid despair in our world, Christ’s resurrection is always a source of hope and new life. Strengthened by our faith and hope, we should not be afraid, we should not despair when we see what happens in our world today, but confront it with courage. Sauca says: “Christ’s Resurrection reminds us that, ultimately, God, the God of life, prevails over all powers of sin and death. It is a source of healing, wholeness, and renewal. It is a joy for the sorrowful, light for those living in darkness, and liberation for those oppressed...”

As we relish our newfound hope and meaningful life, we are called to live as representatives of this hope, exemplifying the change and the life that Jesus offers. We do this by allowing the living hope to influence our actions and decisions, seeking to honour God in all we do. This is what Paul had in mind when he wrote, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

I urge all of us to embrace the hope we have been given through our rebirth. This hope should guide our actions and decisions and renew our strength in times of weakness. It should also bring us peace during moments of anxiety and give meaning to our lives. We should always hold onto this living hope, remembering that our past failures, current struggles, and future uncertainties do not define us. Instead, we are defined by the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the new life He has given us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 hints to guide us: “…if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Have a blessed week!