Hope is one of those attributes Jesus brought, but what does that mean? Most of us use the word “hope” in everyday life, such as, I hope my kids understand what I just told them, I hope I advance in my career, or I hope a person likes me, to name a few examples. Is that what Jesus brought or is it something deeper?

Jesus brought hope which is a sort of desperation hope. We often use hope as something that would be great to have, but Jesus’ hope is something we desperately need to hold. Jesus came to the world when the followers of God were in a hopeless situation. They had not heard God’s voice, through a prophet, in approximately 400 years. In that time, multiple nations conquered and subjugated the Jews, and the current government reigned over them with no end in sight. The hope Jesus brought to us does not quit when it looks hopeless, but that is when it is activated.

In the 1950s a scientist conducted an endurance test. Dr. Richter filled a glass of water half full and dropped a rat into it. The rats immediately and frantically started swimming to keep their head above water, but with the glass walls of the container, there was no escape. The rats lasted an average of 15 minutes before drowning. Dr. Richter tried the experiment again and when the rats had been swimming for about 15 minutes, on the brink of death, he pulled them out and put them on a table for a short reprieve. Richter put the rats back in the water to see if they could last another 15 minutes or if it was less before fatigue set in. Unfortunately, the rats did not last 15 min. Surprisingly, the rats lasted up to 60 hours treading water!

The conclusion of the study showed the power of hope. The difference between dropping to the bottom to die and struggling to the top was hope. The Apostle Paul combined hope with struggle as we connect with God when he wrote, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

Keep swimming toward your savior.