Bill Hybels, a prominent American Church leader asked this question in the aftermath of the tragic and senseless death of a young friend killed in a car crash. Reflecting on Jesus’ resurrection, he said this:
‘[Christians] steward the only message on planet earth that can give people what their hearts need most, which is hope. Hope that sins can be forgiven. Hope that prayers can be answered. Hope that doors of opportunity, that seem locked, can be opened. Hope that broken relationships can be reconciled. Hope that diseased bodies can be healed. Hope that damaged trust can be restored. Hope that dead churches can be resurrected… Of all people, we must claim that hope and live in it and radiate it to others. And we must proclaim that message of hope to everyone God gives us the opportunity to influence.’
In the aftermath of yet another senseless tragedy we may be tempted to despair. But the Christmas story reminds us that no matter how dark things may seem, and no matter how senseless the tragedy that we see unfolding around us may be, there is an inextinguishable light of hope that still shines.
“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.”1
1John 1:5
