Jasper’s Joy

What are your expectations and hopes this year?

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:20-21

Before this year ends and before we start a new chapter of our journey as children of God, it is a perfect time to evaluate our service and renew our commitment with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

If there was a man who ever lived a life of service and commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, it was Paul. He was in prison facing a capital crime with his deliverance looking almost hopeless. Death was staring at him in the face. But Paul’s expectation and hope was to magnify Christ in his body. The word “earnest expectation” means to gaze into the distance, just like a watchman on a tower. It is aiming one’s attention at an object with concentration, eagerness, and intensity. It is turning the eyes away from everything else and focusing upon one object and on one object alone. Paul’s “earnest expectation and hope” is to magnify Christ in his body. Paul’s mind was not upon his terrible plight and circumstances; it was upon Christ- upon magnifying Christ in his body. He wanted Christ to be honored both in his life and in his death. And there was only one place where Christ could be magnified and seen: that was in his body.

The only place that men can see Jesus Christ living is in the body or life of a person. Jesus Christ is no longer on the earth; therefore, He could not be seen unless you allow Christ to magnify Himself through your body. What does life mean to you? Why are you living? What is your great purpose in life?