December 31 Full of Joy

Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”
 
YOU may be wondering about Jesus’ joy. This doesn’t seem to be an emotion we connect with Jesus, is it? After all, the gospels focus on Jesus’ ministry to teach, preach and rebuke as he offers miraculous healings, exorcisms and feedings. Jesus confronted much turmoil as God’s own people repeatedly aligned Jesus with Satan and often picked up stones to kill him.
   Those who did seek his teachings often seemed to do so for self-gain. Many Jews eagerly approached Jesus to be physically healed while ignoring his power to heal them eternally. Only a few people seemed to get close to understanding Jesus’ true identity.
   His life was prophesied to be that way. Isaiah 53 is 12 verses summarizing the physical and spiritual horrors Jesus would endure. Take five minutes and read it. You will see such words as Verse 2: “He has no form or comeliness.” Verse 3” “He was despised, and we did not esteem him.” Verse 5: “But He was wounded for our transgressions…by His stripes we are healed.” And verse 6: “the Lord has laid on Him the sin of us all."
   Furthermore, we have seen how Jesus said discipleship means suffering, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)
   Truly, this cross business is a life-and-death commitment! Living under the cross requires an active faith underscored with grit, determination and perseverance. Where is joy in that kind of life? How could the chastised, sorrowful Savior, about to be pierced by the cross, be filled with joy?  
   The answer comes in the entire account of Jesus sending the 72 (Luke 10:1-21). Joy filled Jesus that day because the short-term mission gave him the opportunity to witness the Spirit fulfill the Son’s own ministry mission statement. You remember Jesus’ mission statement? We’ve mentioned it several times in our Luke study. Here it is again: Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
   We have seen the ways and the results of the Holy Spirit empowering Jesus to minister. Now see how Jesus sent the 72 on their Spirit-empowered mission to remove sickens and demons – to proclaim freedom for the captives and the Lord’s favor upon his people. They did the same work Jesus did!
   Thus, Jesus is the joyful Lord. The disciples – not even his closest 12 – had listened, learned and acted in faith. The Father has affirmed Jesus’ power will be transferred to those chosen to minister the gospel. The work will continue. The Lord’s favor will save more people.
   In joy, knowing his work will continue, Jesus could have said, “Now I can go home.”
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, rest your favor upon my friends and relatives who have not met you. Stir your power within their souls unto eternal life. In Jesu’s’ name I pray, amen.