The Disciples’ Joy
Let's talk about joy this week!
If we turn to Luke 10, we read a story about the disciples coming back from a mission trip Jesus sent them on, and listen for the words 'joy' and 'rejoice' in this passage: "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:17-20)
This is interesting to me. The disciples have been sent by Jesus to do God's work of proclaiming the kingdom and performing great signs, and they are overjoyed at how effective they are in this ministry. They come back to Jesus with this joy at the power they have in His name.
Authority Over Evil
Pause there a moment. Do our lives tell a similar story of victory over evil? Of power over demonic forces? Jesus has given us authority, after all, to overcome the power of the enemy. Are we living in and with this power?
Paul later wrote to the Ephesian believers that the same power which raised Jesus from the dead is available to us all. Isn't this wonderful news? In the words of an old hymn, there is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb! Perhaps today you need to sit with God and ask Him to give you greater faith in His wonder-working power, to find victory over evil, to find victory over sin, to truly put any evil or ungodly ways behind you. Power is available in Jesus' name, as the disciples found out!
But notice this. Jesus encouraged them to take hold of this power, but He also got them thinking about what made them most joyful. "Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven", He says to them.
The True Source of Joy
True joy, then, is not gloating in the power Jesus gives us over our enemies. It is marvelling at the fact that He loves us and gives us a place in the Kingdom.
Reverend EF Walker, a Nazarene preacher from the early 1900s, wrote this in an article: "The most happy are those who are settled and steady in the faith of Christ." True happiness, or joy, is not all about the signs and wonders Jesus performs in us. If you want joy, real joy, be glad above all that you are loved and saved and forgiven by the God of the universe.
So, examine your joy today, would you? Is your joy based mostly on your success? Or is it based on your position as a loved, saved child of God?
Take the authority that Christ gives over evil, but rejoice more in the simple fact of His love and grace, today.
