Week of Prayer - Joy - the Foundational Melody of the Kingdom of GodUkázka

JOY IN JESUS CHRIST

VERSES

As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her! (Luke 1,44-45)

MEDITATION

Anticipation is an enormously beautiful kind of joy. Anticipation of Christmas, a special event, or a person we are going to meet. How unspeakably great then is the joy when what we have been waiting for becomes a reality. Mary visits her cousin Elisabeth when both of them are pregnant. John leaps for joy in the womb of his mother, Elisabeth, when she meets Mary, who is pregnant with Jesus. This is more than just anticipation; the promise of the long-awaited savior is about to be fulfilled. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, is going to be born soon.

Joy is the all-embracing theme around Jesus’ birth. Jesus comes into the world, and the angels announce the message of joy to the shepherds. The three Wise Men bring gifts full of joy. Old Simon rejoices when he finally sees the Savior with his own eyes. Gospel means message of joy because it proclaims Jesus Christ, the giver of joy. But not only this: Jesus is also the object of the joy. He himself sacrifices his life on the cross for us. In Greek, the word joy («chara») is derived from the word grace («charis»). Thus, joy and grace are very closely related. Because Jesus died for us and God has shown us mercy, we rejoice and thank Him.

After walking by faith in Jesus Christ for some time, we may forget what great joy we have in him. The encounter with Jesus touched the baby in Elisabeth’s womb. God becomes man. He gives himself completely. He dies for our sins. We are forgiven. We no longer have to fight over how to become free. We no longer have to suffer from sin. We are liberated through Jesus Christ, who saved us. What a gift of grace and what a reason for joy! Hallelujah! May we, therefore, rejoice in this gift every day.

REFLECTION

· Have I ever consciously accepted this gift of grace from Jesus Christ?

· When I think back to the moment when I consciously embraced this joy through Jesus Christ: What feelings and thoughts did this trigger in me?

· If I have been walking with God for some time: Do I still rejoice in the grace that was given to me by Jesus Christ? And if I’ve lost this joy: How can I rediscover it?

PRAYER TOPICS

· That I may rediscover the joy in Jesus Christ.

· That I may be completely filled with Jesus’ joy.

· For the Gospel and the gift of grace that Jesus gave me.

SUGGESTED PRAYER

Jesus Christ, thank You for bringing joy through coming to earth and through dying on the cross. Thank You for the great gift of grace which fills my heart with joy. Lord, help me consciously embrace this gift daily so I may be joyful. Even though each day may have many challenges, we still rejoice because of Your gift of grace. Help me to remember this every day. Fill me with Your joy. Amen.

Viviane Baud

Reformed Pastor