SundaySermon - Prince - Prisoners of Hope

 Prisoners on Hope

Zechariah was written in the time of Bablylonian Captivity. The people were afraid to come back to Jerusalem. And in the midst of despair, the chapter 9 of Zechariah talks of the first coming of Jesus.... the coming hope. Zechariah is urging people to have hope and drawing a picture of being shackled to Hope.... as prisoners of hope.  

Verse: Zechariah 9:9-12

9 Rejoice, O people of Zion![d] Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious,[e] yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.

10 I will remove the battle chariots from Israel[f] and the warhorses from Jerusalem. I will destroy all the weapons used in battle, and your king will bring peace to the nations. His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River[g] to the ends of the earth.[h]

11 Because of the covenant I made with you, sealed with blood, I will free your prisoners from death in a waterless dungeon.

12 Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope! I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles.

There were other people who were in despair. The people of Jericho were in despair. They were facing imminent destruction. But Rahab was able to have hope in the true God - The scarlet rope.

Verse: Joshua 2:9,18

 9 “I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror

18 When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house.

Rahab was a prostitute. Her profession didn't make it easy to have a family. But her hope of life as promised by the spies went beyond and God used her family through which Jesus was born.

Hope does not mix with arrogance. Hope is associated with meekness. And you need this because God will work in His time. And you need hope to take you through in the interval. 

Jesus chose the donkey to entery Jerusalem. The donkey didn't have the looks of royalty. But Jesus chose humbleness to communicate hope to Jerusalem. 

Perhaps the picture presented didn't inspire hope against the might of the Roman Empire. So they chose Barabbas instead of Jesus - Barabbas was a man who lead a revolt earlier. The people chose the display of strength and arrogance.

Joseph was thrown in a dungeon without a ray of hope or light. But even in the pit of despair, here is what we can pray

Verse: Psalm 40:2

2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

Hope makes life easier. Hope helps you receive your promise. 


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