A JOYFUL PEOPLE

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Mt. 13:44)

Joy is comparable to gladness, cheer, and delight. Different sources of joy are available but three in particular catch our attention: Jesus, His church, and Heaven. When Jesus arrived, the wise men had “exceedingly great joy” (Mt. 2:1-11). This great joy was announced by the angel of the Lord to the shepherds at the birth of Christ (Lk. 2:8-20). Though sorrow would accompany the crucifixion of Jesus, joy was soon to come by His resurrection and ascension (Jn. 16:20-24; Mt. 28:1-8; Lk. 24:50-53).

Not long after Christ’s ascension, His church was birthed on Earth (Acts 1-2). What cause for joy there is in finding the one, and only, church of Christ (Mt. 13:44; Eph. 1:22-23, 4:4)! The Ethiopian eunuch exemplified the joy of becoming a member of the Lord’s church (Acts 8:26-39). Such joy is an indicator of the joy that awaits the faithful.

Christ endured the cross because He was looking forward to the joy that would follow (Heb. 12:1-2). We can look forward to that same joy because of what Christ did for everyone! That is not to say that everyone will have that joy because not everyone will obey Christ. The five and two talent servants were faithful to their lord and were able to enter into his joy (Mt. 25:14-23). The one talent servant was not faithful and was described as wicked, lazy, and unprofitable. There was no joy for him (Mt. 25:24-30).

Christians should be the most joyful people there are. We have so much to be joyful about including Christ, his church, and a home with God in Heaven. Let us make our joy full (cf. 1 Jn. 1:1-4; 3 Jn. 4)!

Trent Thrasher