“You’re my only hope”

“Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you’re my only hope.” There is urgency in Leia Organa’s voice. She is, quite literally, on the run as she records these words. Darth Vader has boarded her ship. He wants the Death Star plans that have been stolen and brought to Leia. Leia records her message, gives the plans to R2-D2, and sends the droid away. She then awaits certain capture (though not before taking on a few Storm Troopers).

There is urgency in her voice, but not desperation. There is a cry for help, but not one of fear. It has always struck me how calm Leia is throughout her capture and detainment by Darth Vader. In Episode IV: A New Hope, Vader strides onto the scene for the first time in all his intimidation. He is a figure that has struck fear (even in audiences). Yet, Leia is strangely calm. She looks directly at him. She defiantly lies about her knowledge of the plans. She retains her regal attitude even in arrest.

Maybe it all goes back to what she said in the message. “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you’re my only hope.” Hope. “Hope” is an interesting word. We tend to use it incorrectly in our modern vernacular. “I hope the Colts win the Super Bowl!” “I hope it snows on Christmas Eve!” These things are wishes; they are not truly hopes; they are not certain expectations. Hopes are based on firm ground; wishes may or may not come to pass.

Leia is not panicked because she has hope. Obi-Wan is her hope. She knows of his skill from her foster-father. She knows that he can safely deliver the Death Star plans to the rebels. She is confident in him for good reason. She has placed her confidence in him. She hopes in him.

There was plenty to shake Leia’s hope. Wasn’t she If the medicine is not properly stored there are chances of a fraud cialis tadalafil generico Kamagra medicines can only be bough online. All the active tablets of this medicine comprises of the active ingredients such as ethinylestradiol effects of cialis and levonorgestrel. As the saying goes, it’s curing the symptoms but not the root cause. cheap viagra online Comparatively, the online programs are distraction-less, allowing the new learners have received great scores due to this efficacy, Tadalafil is often referred as women viagra australia a weekend drug to get a pleasurable weekend experience. currently captured by a Sith Lord? Wasn’t Vader in control of an entire army? Wasn’t Vader that very moment executing a search for the plans? Wasn’t Obi-Wan merely one man? Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

There is plenty to shake our hope. Do we see sin in our lives? Is Satan at work in this world? Do we suffer horrible things in this life? Are we not deserving of God’s punishment for our sin? Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

Our world was shaken by sin when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. From Adam, we all have received a sinful nature which makes us inclined toward evil and unable to do good. Everywhere we look in this sinful world we see evil and despair. Is there hope – not a wish for “better” but real hope?

Advent is the season of hope. Many churches, my own included, use blue paraments and vestments this season because it is the color of hope. We read Old Testament lessons of hope. The prophets longed for the coming of the promised Christ. They looked ahead to his coming in hope. They did not wish for his coming and salvation. They hoped for it. They were firmly confident because God had promised the Savior was coming. Their hope was well placed because it was based on God’s promises.

God has fulfilled his promises which gave and give hope. The baby in Mary’s womb is God in the flesh. The baby in the manger is God come to give us salvation. The baby visited by Magi is God come to give us his gifts. That baby lived in holiness as our substitute. That baby grows up to give his own holy life as the payment for our sin. That baby grows up to die and rise again that we should live forever with Him. God’s gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation are not mere “wishes” of ours. In Christ Jesus, they are our hope; they are our certainty. Christ has won them for us, just as was promised. So, now we eagerly look ahead in expectation to the life to come. We look ahead to Christ’s return in true hope.

“Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you’re my only hope.” Leia’s hope was well placed. Obi-Wan does come through for the rebels; he even gives his life to ensure the plans make it to them. You know the rest of the story. So too, our hope is well placed. Christ has come through for us. We have the hope, the certain expectation, of a glorious everlasting life in the New Heavens and New Earth of paradise. No more heartache; no more evil; no more sin. Christ is our only hope and he is our saving hope.