We all hope. We think the future can be better. In our own lives we hope for maybe a better job, relationship, exam result or home. As we look at the world, we long for less terrorism, poverty, disease and disaster. Yet our hopes are repeatedly dashed. Reality doesn’t live up to our dreams. And whatever our experience of life, in the end, death always wins. So there is every reason to be sceptical about promises of hope – except from Jesus.

Jesus was different. Although he never did any wrong he endured the worst this world can throw at us – hunger, betrayal and violent execution. But he brings hope – why? Because he rose from the dead and is alive today.

Hope for our future can be found through what Jesus did in the past. Peter lived alongside Jesus and he later wrote about what Jesus had done for him and others:

“In his great mercy God has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1v3)

How can you know this hope? By realising you need God’s mercy. He made you and gives you life, but you don’t love and obey him. That broken relationship with our Maker is the root cause of our dashed hopes. We need forgiveness. Good works or religious ritual can’t make you right with God. Jesus can, because of his death and resurrection. If you trust in Jesus and commit to following him, it is the start of a new relationship.

You are born into a new life – Jesus’ life shared with you. When he comes back you will be part of a world in which all the suffering is gone. With Jesus, there is hope even in death.