January 21 - Joy

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 

Joy appears 182 times in the NASB version of the Bible. That’s a lot of joy! Jesus must have had joy—an expression of delight and real, authentic happiness at some time during His life on earth, but that is not recorded as such in the Gospels. The Wise Men who sought Jesus as a baby had great joy when they saw the Bethlehem star (Matthew 2:10). The angels that announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds said I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people (Luke 2:10). It was a joyous, although humble, birth.

In His ministry many were filled with joy. Among those were seventy followers that He sent out to minister to people in towns that He would visit. The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." ... And Jesus told them, "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven." At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. Luke 10:17, 20-21. Jesus Himself rejoiced and praised His Heavenly Father. 

What a good example for us. He endured the cross just for you. If you have repented from your sins and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, Jesus has already rejoiced, along with the angels, that your name is recorded in that Book of Life. We should rejoice with Jesus when we know that our names are recorded in heaven—written down in the Book of Life—that one day we would not only be accepted, but welcomed, into our Heavenly Home—to feast at the Lord’s Table. 

Training Tip – Find a picture of Jesus seated on the Throne—there is one hanging on the wall of my office. Share that picture with your kids and tell them how Jesus forgives sins—theirs and yours—and we can all be very happy about that. Remind them how good it feels to forgive others…and themselves. It is National Hug Day—give each other a hug…and one from me, too. A good hug warms relationships. That is what National Hug Day is all about. 

Lord – I rejoice with You that my name is written in that great Book of Life in heaven. Please help me to tell others about You and that their sins can be forgiven, too—that their names can be written in that same book and they can know the joy of Your forgiveness.

National Hug Day  http://www.nationalhuggingday.com/

 

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.