And they were on their knees, worshiping him. They returned to Jerusalem bursting with joy. They spent all their time in the Temple praising God. Yes.
Luke 24:52-53
One of my favorite words is Joy! It is a feeling, an emotion and a state of being all wrapped up into one little word. Miriam-Webster defines joy as “a profound emotion of great happiness, pleasure, or delight caused by success, good fortune, or deep satisfaction.” Biblical joy is “a deep, enduring state of inner peace and satisfaction rooted in God’s presence and promises, rather than a fleeting emotion dependent on circumstances.”
I think I love the word joy because it is part of me…it is part of the way I see myself and define myself. I am a person who exudes joy (most of the time.) Joy is different from happy. Happy is based on circumstances where joy dwells deep within us. Happiness comes and goes, joy is constant. You may have heard me say before that “Happiness happens, but Joy abounds!” How about you, are you a person of joy?
This week we finish our time in the Gospel of Luke. The final story is Jesus’ ascending to heaven and leaving his disciples behind. Luke tells us a great story about Jesus’ life, his teachings, his healings, his death and resurrection. I often think about his disciples and the roller-coaster ride of emotions they must have had at the end of Luke’s gospel. From the sadness and despair of his death to the confusion turned to joy and celebration of his resurrection. Then he leaves them again and I think confusion and abandonment issues must come into play. That is until you read the final two verses:
And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
I love that we are told about their state of mind…they were bursting with joy! They were so filled with joy that I am certain it was contagious. And from that moment on, Luke tells us, they spent all their time praising God in the Temple. What a great picture that paints in my mind. Jesus’ friends celebrating together, remembering all Jesus had taught them, praising God continually and joyfully. Their joy was rooted in God’s presence and promises. Jesus, his life and love, was the foundation of their joy. I imagine their joy was contagious…actually, I know it was! Luke’s story doesn’t end here…there is more joy to come in the book of Acts.
So what brings you joy? How do you live out the joy of Jesus in your life?
Blessings,
Pastor Jenni
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against these things!
(Galatians 5:22-23, NLT)