Joy from beginning to end
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news
that will cause great joy for all the people.”
Luke 2:10 (NIV)
Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
Luke 24:52 (NIV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Joy from beginning to end
Have you noticed how Luke’s Gospel begins and ends with “great joy”? At the beginning, when Jesus is born, we read that the angels announce to the shepherds the good news “that will cause great joy for all the people.” At the end, when Jesus is taken up into heaven, we read that the disciples “returned to Jerusalem with great joy.”
Surely that is right, that both Jesus’ coming into this world and his leaving this world (temporarily) and returning to his Father should be marked by great joy – and not simply “joy”, but “great joy.” Why? Because the first celebrates that he has come, knowing what he has come to do, while the second celebrates that he has done what he came to do.
And what has he come to do? Quite simply, he has come to save the world! Or, as Luke himself puts it, “repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). That message can now be preached, asking that people turn from their sins, and preached to all nations, precisely and only because he has won the forgiveness of sins for all those who will repent and believe in him. And he has done it by doing exactly what the Scriptures said he would do: “the Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day” (Luke 24:46).
So, let me ask you, do you consider yourself to be a joyful person? The Bible suggests that Christians will be joyful people! There is, of course a difference between being happy (which greatly depends on our present circumstances), and being joyful (which is more permanent and unchangeable). Some of us, myself included, can tend towards being somewhat gloomy, but that does not exempt us – or excuse – us from being joyful.
Whatever we may be going through in the present, and that may well seem insurmountable, we can rejoice that our sins are forgiven, that we are God’s children, that we have his Spirit dwelling in us, and that we will spend eternity with him, free from every effect of sin in our own lives and in the world.
God of hope, please fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in you, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Yours warmly, in Christ,
Chris Hobbs (Senior Minister)