When we see Jesus we do not see someone afraid, bewildered, cast down and doubting about His objective in life.
We do not see someone filled with apathy, boredom, callused and dull about the activities and involvement He pursues in life.
When we see Jesus we see the ONE who came to save us all from sin.
Look to Jesus, “The author and finisher of our faith, who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
Jesus came to save us and even though He would have to endure the horror of the cross He did so for the “JOY.”
Jesus came into this world to bless us with His “JOY!”
“These things I have spoken to you, that My JOY may be in you, and that your JOY may be full.” John 15:11
Jesus did not wake up every day wondering what to do with His life. Jesus set out every day to do the will of His Father and He did this knowing that it meant that He would die on the cruel cross of Calvary for us but He did this because He knew that only through His death could He bring us “JOY.” Luke 2:49, 22:42, 24:45-47; Philippians 2:5-8
Jesus greatest longing is for us to find the fullness of His “JOY.” John 17:13
Joy comes from Chara,meaning delight, gladness and rejoicing.
The eunuch shows us that when one experiences the blessing of Jesus providing them salvation they will go on their way “REJOICING.” Acts 8:34-39
The apostle Paul affirmed to the church at Philippi that there “Names are written in the book of life” and he went on to encourage them to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say REJOICE.” Philippians 4:3-4
Jesus wants us to have His “JOY.” Someone has expressed “JOY” in the acrostic JESUS OTHERS YOURSELF. Someone else has written the poem Thy Will.
“Thy will, O God is JOY to me, a gladsome thing; for in it naught but love I see whatever it bring. Within the circle of thy will all things abide; so I, exulting, find no ill when Thou dost guide. In that resplendent will of Thine I calmly rest; triumphantly I make it mine, and count it best.”
When it comes to MAKING A DIFFERENCE is there a better way to have JOY? Just think about it when your temped to reverse the order with You first, Others second and Jesus last!
About the author:
Don and his wife Brenda have been married 48 years. They have two married sons Jason/Crista and Nicholas/Heather and four grandsons Luke, Ryker, Blake and Drew. Don is a graduate of the Gateway School of Preaching, Fairview Heights, IL, the Bristol Roads School of Biblical Studies, Flint, MI and he has a bachelor’s degree in religious education from Michigan Christian College. He has been preaching since 1979. He has preached at Pacific, MO; Howell, MI; Arnold, MO; Festus, MO; Dexter, MO; and De Soto, MO where he has served since 2007. He also serves the congregation as one of the elders. Don has done campaigns and meetings in several states and mission work in Cuba, India, and Jamaica. Don refers to himself as a “Minister” because he loves ministering to others and helping them learn about Jesus and growing in their relationship with Him.
De Soto church of Christ 