When you hear this sparkly word, what do you imagine? Joy can be felt with a huge smile, fireworks in a summer sky, a warm hug, tickets to a great game, a major accomplishment, a beach vacation, dinner with friends, and so much more.
But sometimes joy doesn’t look or feel sparkly. Sometimes it doesn’t arrive on our doorstep beautifully wrapped with a bow.
In fact, Jesus himself didn’t come wrapped in a shiny package.
Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, took his first earthly breath in the most humble of circumstances–a feeding trough, animals, a poor family, shepherds, escaping as a refugee. Then he set about saving the world, but not through military power or political fireworks. Instead, he attended house parties with outcasts, told confusing parables, touched lepers, washed dirty feet, and healed at the cost of his reputation, all without having a home to call his own. Three years of this selfless ministry led him to the most unexpected of places for a King: a brutal death on a cross.
That’s not what joy looks like. Or is it?
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Let’s read that again: “For the JOY set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame…”
Can you imagine what it was like for Jesus, being born on this earth knowing that his whole purpose here was to be mocked and shamed and to die a painful death? In every moment of his life he saw the cross looming on his horizon.
But joy got him through what looked like a very un-joyful situation.
So what is that joy and how can we have it? Can we still have it if we’re feeling unhappy? Or if we’re weary or losing heart, as verse three says above? Yes! I love that the Oxford-English dictionary uses the word “triumph” to describe joy. Our joy isn’t dependent on a feeling; it’s dependent on Christ’s triumph on the cross already won for us.
Questions for reflection and prayer:
Prayer:
Lord, I confess I don’t feel joyful all the time. Thank you for accepting me and loving me for who I am, no matter how I’m feeling. Help me to fix my eyes on you and run the race that you’ve designed for me with joy! Amen.