05/22/2021
Christianity isn’t burdensome, nor is it filled with somber tones and sadness. Our faith in Jesus is meant to be overflowing with hope, and all the joy and peace of God. His crucifixion is not the culmination of a life filled with hopelessness and suffering, but is a momentary shout of pain, and death, that was the means by which he shouldered the bitterness of the world and redeemed us. Through this we have come to realize the hope of ages. He passed through those brief days and then rose to a new and amazing height of joy. His words “It is done” are not words of defeat, but of joy and of a Hope now realized. In them His sacrifice was complete, He arose, and the joy, and hope, of all Christianity lifted up with Him to embrace us in the arms of God’s eternal joy and peace.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13 ESV
When I was a boy we were preparing to move to Germany. My father was going ahead of the family to prepare a place for us. He was going to secure housing, register his children in school, receive our belongings, and other such things. This meant a six month separation from him, and I cried when he left us, but once his departure was behind us, I latched onto the hope of our eminent reunion, and to a vision of the incredible joy that moment would bring. Six months seemed so long, but in hindsight they passed like the blink of an eye, and before I knew it I was sobbing tears of joy in my father’s arms. The suffering of Jesus, and the horror of Calvary is like this; it was a blink of an eye in the life of Jesus, and now He has gone ahead to prepare a place for us, and the time has come to grasp the vision, and joy, of our reunion.
““Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.””
John 14:1-4 ESV
Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding celebration... an occasion of great hope and joy, where two become one flesh, and a new life begins. He reveled in that moment. His life was filled with teaching of God, and revealing His amazing glory. These were days when the lost became found, and new lives were born. Oh what joy that was meant to be. Then, in the moment of His death He suffered for us for an instant to bring us to where He is... to wrap us in the eternal hope and joy found only in the presence of the Holy Father. In this moment our lives were lifted from sin and the grave. So, where is our sorrow? Where is our hopelessness? Where is the sadness in our faith? As Christians we find our burdens have been lifted, and the fullness of our joy has come to fruition.
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:11 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who teaches us, shows us your glory, delivers your grace, redeems us from sin, conquers death, prepares a place for us with you, and through whom your hope and joy flows over us eternally. Father, we thank you for your Holy Spirit, and His guidance, and instruction in your Word, as we continue our pilgrimage from Calvary to where you now await us. Help us Lord, and if we find ourselves sad, or dragging our feet as we walk hopeless along our own road to Emmaus, walk with us, talk with us, and turn us once again in overwhelming joy, and renewed strength, towards Jerusalem. Open our eyes to see that the words “It is finished.” Are words of celebration as we end one day to begin another in joyous reunion. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is with us always, and who infuses us, not with sorrow or hopelessness, but with peace and joy unbridled, and the eternal nature of hope. Praised be your name Holy Father for the momentary suffering of Christ, your perfect Lamb, that washed us clean and opened eternity with you to us. Your grace abounds Lord, and we sing of it with cheerful voices, knowing that you see us worthy in Jesus, and have chosen not to remember our sin, and who we once were. Wash us in His blood Father, and draw us into your arms, pure, perfect, an image of Jesus, and filled with joy forevermore.
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
Philippians 2:1-2 ESV
Rich Forbes