A Final Word…
On this last day of advent, we take one final look at joy:
8 But to the Son he says,
"Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.
9 You love justice and hate evil.
Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else. Hebrews 1:8-9 (NLT)
Isn’t it interesting that this passage says that God anointed Jesus more than anyone else with the "oil of joy"? Of all the things that describe Jesus, "wonderful, counselor, the mIghty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" – we rarely see pictures of Jesus expressing joy! We see Him as the suffering Savior – the One assigned to carry the sins of the whole rebellious world on His shoulders! Yet here we see that because He was an obedient and righteous Son, that the Father gave Him – joy, ‘joy unspeakable and full of glory"!
If this gift was given to Jesus by the Father, shouldn’t it be one that we would seek for as well? We ask for silver and gold; we seek houses and land; we strive for prominence and position – yet how many of us petition the Father for joy. The kind of joy that will sustain you knowing:
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
We might be tempted to work a little harder for joy if it meant we were going to experience exuberance! Yet, how many of us would see joy while looking at being nailed to a cross?
This year we have had the awesome opportunity to serve God, not because we were sure we were going to get something, but to serve Him because we love Him, even to the point of not making it out alive. It has changed our perspective. One saying floating around is: "The greatest gift you can receive this Christmas is still having your loved ones with you!" This is said from a grateful heart, but there is an even greater gift – the joy of knowing that whatever our circumstances, whatever lot befalls us – that we have Jesus in our heart, an eternal promise that Emmanuel is there – God with us – this, my friend, is joy!
Merry Christmas to all and I so appreciate you spending a few moments with me each day.
Maria