For generations, Fred Rogers has been a beloved television personality among children who have been mesmerized by his calm and inviting presence and his positive and encouraging message of friendship. Everyone loves and admires Mr. Rogers. Some people see Jesus as a version of Mr. Rogers. While Jesus was certainly a model for Mr. Rogers, who himself was a Presbyterian minister, it is a mistake to view Jesus as simply meek and mild. By combining the biblical text along with the geographical and political realities of Jesus’ day we learn that he was much more than meek and mild.

When you go through a difficult circumstance, there is one thing that keeps you going - the expectation that something better is in front of you. We call that expectation “hope.” At some point in life, each of us has our hopes dashed. However, because of the resurrection of Jesus, our hopes can be renewed day-by-day.