Hope of Humankind

In February 2007, a black gentleman with a Middle-Eastern name gave an introductory speech before one of the major political parties in United States seeking a new leader, at the Hilton Hotel in Washington. While the other hopefuls for the Democratic presidential nomination had all the campaign trimmings, Barack Obama had no badges, no posters and had only two young volunteers manning a lone desk. But when he told eloquently the audience of his vision, not only did he spark a buzz in the room, he created a national movement for change.

Senator Obama dimmed the light on leading contender Senator Hillary Clinton and has since become a modern day phenomenon with 3.1 million financial contributors, 2.2 million supporters on its Facebookpage, 700 campaign offices in every state in the United States and attracts 100,000 plus people in his campaign rallies. It is inevitable that he will become President Barack Obama.

The Observer wrote: "As the first black American to win a major party nomination, Obama was thought likely to face an election dominated by race. Yet his candidacy changed things there, too. He ran an explicitly "post-racial" campaign, heralding a new type of politics. His rallies attract blacks, whites, Hispanics and Asians, reflecting a changing society in which younger generations are less obsessed with race."

Blind songwriter/performer Stevie Wonder, who believes in Sen. Obama, declares: "Impossible is unacceptable." For Obama went on an impossible crusade. But then he is actually the representation of the new face of the US, a nation that has become the melting pot of all nationalities and of diverse cultures. No longer is the US a white man’s territory – it actually is a genuine rainbow nation whose migrant population works hard to attain dreams for a better life and aspirations of a brighter future. For many, it is a land of hope – and Obama is one representation of that hope.

The Jewish people may have been in a similar situation at the time when Jesus Christ began his ministry. A race with a proud history, their nation had become a mere province of the Roman Empire. Jesus became so popular attracting Jews, Gentiles and Romans for His teachings and the miracles He performed. He brought hope to the people of Israel. "He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24) Afraid of the rise of his promised kingdom, his enemies crucified him.

Obama promises a better and stronger USA; but human as he is, he cannot guarantee the fulfilment of each and every promise he has made if elected president. He may deliver some, while fail in others. He will not be in control of all circumstances, thus even how genuine his intentions are, the outcome is never assured. Not so with Jesus, for the hope that He promises is guaranteed with His very life: dying on the cross, resurrecting in flesh and ascending to Heaven to rule with the Father and Holy Spirit for all eternity. "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." (Titus 1:2)

If the American people give their vote of confidence to a fellow human being named Obama to fulfil their dreams and aspirations; the people of the world ought to embrace Jesus Christ for He is the true Saviour of humankind. "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:11)

by Mel Libre