The Birth of Jesus brings JOY to the World!
This past Sunday we explored Isaiah 9:1-7 where we discovered the Promised Child would turn sorrow into joy. The text opens with the first two verses describing the world Jesus was born into with words like gloom, anguish, contempt, darkness, and deep darkness. But God did not leave them or us in darkness and sorrow.
Verse 3 says: “You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy, they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.”
The idea here is that the Christ child (vs.6) would turn sorrow into joy, rejoicing, and gladness. But how?
By making a way for us to know God. We learned that Jesus came to redeem lost people from every nation and fill them with His joy.
By dwelling with us. We learned that Jesus came so that we might be filled with the Holy Spirit who produces overflowing joy in us.
By multiplying His joy filled people. We learned that Jesus came to establish the church whose mission is to multiply joy and Spirit-filled disciples.
By leading His people to work for justice. We learned that Jesus came to transform our hearts and actions to represent His love and grace in the world.
By making all things new. We learned that Jesus came to initiate a plan to establish an Eternal Kingdom where everything is made new.
Christians today spend a lot of time talking about Jesus coming to redeem sinners (#1), to fill them with the Holy Spirit (#2), to send them on mission (#3), and in the end resurrect them to live in a new heaven and new earth (#5). But what about #4 and the work of mercy and justice? When we examine Isaiah 9:3-5 more closely we discover Jesus’ coming brings joy through the liberation of captives, the securing of justice for the oppressed, the healing of the diseased, and the end of all wars. We know God will complete these things in the last day, but what about now?
Followers of Jesus, filled with His power, compassion, and joy, ought to run to aid of suffering people. We should show up to bind up wounds, work for wrongs that need to be made right, and to bring peace in the midst of conflict. This sort of work is what the prophet Micah encourages when he says in Micah 9:6: “love mercy, seek justice, and walk humbly.”
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
How has knowing Jesus and walking in the Spirit produced joy in you?
How has living Jesus’ mission and serving others increased your joy?
Why do you think many Christians struggle to step into the difficult situations of others to help? How might the work of the Holy Spirit change this?
What do you think it might look like for you (or Anchor Church) to love mercy and seek justice in a broken and suffering world?
PRAYER RESPONSE
Take time to consider the questions above. Ask the Lord to do whatever is needed in your life for His Joy to overflow in and through you. Ask the Lord to open doors for you to step into the difficulty and suffering of others to bring joy.
