How does Jesus bring joy to the world?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jesus is the reason we have joy (Luke 2:10-11; 1 Peter 1:8-9). When Jesus was born, the Jewish people had not heard from God in four hundred years. They patiently awaited the promised Messiah, and those who recognized Jesus as the Messiah were overcome with joy, such as Mary (Luke 1:46-55), Simeon Luke 2:22-35, and Anna Luke 2:36-38. During His earthly ministry, Jesus healed many (Matthew 15:29-32). In so doing, it is safe to say that He inspired joy in the lives of those He restored sight to, gave a voice to, casted demons out of, resurrected from the dead, and miraculously healed from horrible diseases. This perhaps is most evident in His healing of those who were considered outcasts from society, such as lepers (Luke 17:11-19). When we believe in Jesus, we can experience great joy knowing that we have received eternal life (John 3:16-18), and similar to the disciples, we can look forward to what Jesus has in store for us in paradise with Him (John 14:2-3). Joy abounds in heaven (Luke 15:7), where we will forever be in the presence of God, our Giver of joy. While on this earth, we can experience joy by growing in our relationship with Jesus every day (John 15:1-11).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Part of the prophecy given to Isaiah about the Messiah says, “You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest” (Isaiah 9:3).
• God gave the prophet Zechariah these words about the Messiah: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Jesus was prophesied to bring joy.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• On a practical level, Jesus brought joy to the people He interacted with during His short life on earth through healing people (Matthew 15:29-32).
• Mary praised God for the child conceived in her of His Spirit, recognizing her need for salvation and God's provision through Jesus Christ, whom she was blessed to bear (Luke 1:46-55).
• After Jesus was born, an angel appeared to a group of shepherds near Bethlehem and proclaimed, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).
• After seeing the infant Jesus when He was brought to the temple to be presented to the Lord in accordance with the Mosaic law, Simeon was able to die in peace knowing God had brought salvation to the world (Luke 2:22-35). During the same visit the prophetess Anna began to prophesy about Jesus to all who were in the temple (Luke 2:36-38).
• One of the most notable healings Jesus did was that of lepers, who at that time in society were considered outcasts. At one point, Jesus healed ten of them. One of the ten fell at Jesus' feet and gave Him thanks (Luke 17:11-19). He along with others experienced joy because of Jesus.
• Anyone who believes in Jesus is cleansed of their sins, filled with the Holy Spirit, and reconnected to God. They receive the gift of eternal salvation and heaven rejoices as another soul is saved (John 3:16-18; Luke 15:7). The good news of salvation is Jesus Christ, and the reality of that salvation, is great joy to the world.
• Jesus also brings us joy because we will spend eternity with Him. During the Passover feast with His disciples Jesus promised to prepare a place for them in heaven and to return and bring them with Him (John 14:2-3).
• We find joy in knowing Jesus and following His commands in this life (John 15:1-11).
• Jesus is the joy of the world. Peter explains, "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8-9).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

God created us to be in relationship with Him, but when sin entered the world we were separated from our Creator. However, when Jesus arrived, joy was brought back into the world. He did not come to fight flesh and blood, but to rescue all who would believe in Him, from the spiritual death of sin (John 3:16-18). This is joy to the world! He was and is the reason we can receive salvation.

As His followers, we can bring more joy into the world by sharing the good news of salvation in Christ and by living in faithful and confident obedience to Him, knowing that the One in whom we have placed our hope is surely faithful (Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 1:11-14; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; Hebrews 13:8). When we are in Jesus Christ, we can be joyful even in the midst of the suffering of this world knowing that Jesus has already conquered death and will one day return again to bring us into His kingdom (James 1:2, 4; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Philippians 4:4-7; John 16:33). Joy, unlike happiness, is not dependent on our circumstances. Rather it is the evidence of a soul reunited with its Creator and confident in the promise that one day the suffering will cease. For just as Jesus endured the cross with His eyes set on the joy ahead of Him, so we can endure the hardships of this world because of the joy that lives inside of us (Hebrews 12:2).

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus brings joy to the world because He has restored our relationship with God.
• The eternal life Christ offers to all who place their faith in Him brings joy to the world.
• Abiding in Christ allows believers to feel joy even amid painful circumstances.

REFLECT

• How does your relationship with Christ bring you joy each day?
• How has Jesus helped you endure and even feel joy during painful circumstances?
• What are some ways that you cultivate the joy of Christ in your life?

ENGAGE

• How might the joy believers show in Christ be a powerful testimony to the world?
• How does understanding Jesus as the source of true joy change the way we respond to suffering in our lives?
• How can the church better help the world distinguish between hedonistic happiness and true joy?