Jesus Inspired Great Rejoicing

What Did Jesus Do?

“For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears,
the baby in my womb leaped for joy!”
Luke 1.44

The most unrestrained and wildest expressions of joy I have ever witnessed have erupted over such things as Super Bowl victories and World Series triumphs. Considering that there is absolutely no real consequence, other than fleeting fame, for winning what comes down to children's games, I wonder what kind of joy might be manifest if people were to experience something of transcendent worth? What kind of reaction would be inspired by the manifestation of something of transforming and eternal value? If people go nuts over a silly game, how might they respond to something that really matters? And don't think I am pretending to be immune to the silliness, I admit to being pretty excited a couple of years ago when the Giants upset the Patriots in the Super Bowl, but I've experienced far greater joy than that.

I can't speak with complete authority for my wife, but I the greatest joy we have ever felt is shared between two moments, and both had to do with babies—specifically, the births of our two children. There is nothing on this earth, that will ever compare to the moments when we first heard the cries of our new born son and daughter. Face it, if the birth of a child doesn't inspire great rejoicing, what can? A game? Don't be ridiculous.

Many years ago two women experienced a joy that I struggle to describe. While nothing on earth could compare with the birth of my children, the two women, Elizabeth and her young cousin Mary, experienced an incomparable joy that joined heaven and earth in matchless celebration. It was joy so great that the baby in Elizabeth's womb was leaping and dancing! This joy was not over a birth, but the anticipation of a birth—the birth of the Messiah. At the time, the celebration was limited to the two mothers-to-be, and Elizabeth's son who was still three months short of his own birthday. Nevertheless, I believe that, if I were asked to come up with a “Top Ten List” of all-time celebrations in the world, I would probably rank the rejoicing of Elizabeth and Mary number one.

The only reason I don't rank the birth of Jesus itself as number one is because that celebration was out of this world (If you recall the singing of the heavenly host.). And, even though there was more reason to rejoice on Easter morning when Christ rose from the grave, I have to rank the rejoicing that day number two on my list because there was a considerable mix of anxiety, confusion, fear, and doubt mixed in. In time, the words, “He is risen!” would be the greatest reason to rejoice, but on the day when Mary visited Elizabeth, there had never been such an occasion for joy.

It's like this, Jesus inspires joys. Always has, always will. In Christ the weak can say, “I am strong,” the poor can say, “I am rich,” the despairing can say, “I have hope,” the broken can say, “I am whole,” the condemned can say, “I am free,” those doomed to die can say, “I have eternal life in Christ Jesus!”

Advent is the perfect time to experience joy in the Lord, just as the anticipation of his birth inspired great joy in Elizabeth and the baby inside her, and moved Mary to rejoice, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior...” (Luke 1.46-47). Christmas is a time to rejoice and give thanks for the Savior's birth in Bethlehem two thousand years ago, and to look forward with joyous anticipation to Christ's coming again.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4