Jesus said
"I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy.
Yes, your joy will overflow!"
Her PASSION manifests joy.
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold —though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls."
I Peter 1:7-9
Reflection & Application
Does my attitude and countenance embody joy? Is my hope and joy anchored in the promises of Christ?
Joy. The curious disposition of those who follow Jesus, despite their circumstances.
When Jesus had risen from the dead, not one of His disciples were expectant to find Him living. Throughout Jesus' time on earth, He had tried to tell them what to expect, "In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again ... I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy" (John 16:16; 20).
The women, who were the first to visit His empty tomb after His crucifixion, were shocked when the angel of the Lord gave them news that Jesus was alive! "The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message (Matthew 28:8). And the men? Even when Jesus appeared before them, Scripture tells us, "Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you” (John 20:19-21).
When we decide to place our life and trust in the risen Lord, our spirit is also filled with the same joy! For joy is the manifestation, the evidence, of a life placed under the authority of God's Word, knowing the Kingdom of God is at hand. Just as Peter 1:8 claims, "Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy." Our passion is no longer tied to the things of this world, but now is filled with the Spirit of God. We are no longer slaves to fear, sin, wickedness and doubt, but we are now children, and heirs of God (Romans 8:12-17)!
As women, living in-between the grace of the cross and crown, we now wait expectantly for the Lord's return. Our passion and faith must always be cultivated and refreshed in the Holy Spirit through God's Word, prayer, and the fellowship of other believers. For we are a light, reflecting the love and grace of our Father in Heaven. "Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory" (Romans 5:2).
