One of the more striking phrases in this week’s Scripture comes from the prophet Zechariah: “Return to the stronghold, prisoners of hope.” It’s an unusual image. Most of us don’t think of hope as something that holds us captive.
Yet Zechariah was speaking to people who were weary, disappointed, and still waiting for God’s promises to unfold. They lived in a world that measured strength by armies, horses, and political power. Instead, God promised them a different kind of king, one who would come in humility, bringing peace rather than domination.
That message still speaks into our own time. Fear often seems to have the loudest voice in our culture. It’s easy to become captive to worry, anger, or uncertainty. But Christ invites us into a different kind of captivity: to be held fast by hope because God’s promises remain trustworthy even when their fulfillment comes in ways we did not expect.
As we said in the sermon, “We’re invited to be held captive, but captive by hope instead of fear.”
If you weren’t able to be with us, or if you’d simply like to spend a few more minutes reflecting on this passage, I hope you’ll take time to listen to the sermon recording or read the transcript. My prayer is that it encourages you to anchor your life ever more deeply in the kingdom of the King we truly need.
P.S. We have started including our own comic strip in the church bulletin, called PewPals. Here is the one for today. Each week, Felix and Charles reflect on something connected with the Scripture that anchors our sermon.
We’d love to see you in person at Lincoln Park-Lynnwood United Methodist Church, 3120 Pershing Street, Knoxville, TN. Come as you are. We’re not in the judging business. We’re in the welcoming business.
You know someone who needs hope. Share this with them.
