The Man of Sorrow is Joyful
The Man of Sorrow is Joyful
God, High King of Heaven, is the most joyous being in the universe. And Earth is alive with joy. Listen to the music in nature, in concert halls! Watch dolphins tease each other with water hide and seek. Feel the softness of a newborn. Practice justice, walk with God, do good and sense the pervasiveness of joy!
Too long we have played in the mud of fear and despair when a vacation at the beach of joy beckons. We shouldn’t wait for our circumstances to improve to be happy. You know who reminded America of this lately?
Jane Marczweski. She goes by Nightbirde, her singing name. She won the heart of the judges on America’s Got Talent recently. She sang an original, “It’s Ok.” Her stunning voice was matched by her amazing attitude.
During the audition, Jane revealed tough personal news — she had "some cancer" in her lungs, spine and liver. The doctors gave her a 2% chance of survival.
When Howie told her "nobody would ever know" she was dealing with cancer, Nightbirde replied, "Thank you. It’s important that everyone knows that I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me. … You can’t wait til life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy."
Jane is a woman of sorrows, well-acquainted with grief, but has made a close friendship with joy from above. Just like her Lord.
When the eternal Son of God came to live among us, Heaven sang, “Good News of Great Joy.” Heavenly joy spilled its boundaries and now the earth brims with joy.
When a wayward soul steps through the open doors of God’s kingdom Jesus made available, the bells of heaven toll for joy. The King taps his crystal glass in the banquet hall, all heaven stills. He speaks the name. He writes in the book of life. The angels erupt, clapping, cheering and squealing with delight.
In this world, Jesus said, you will have trouble; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Mind you, the Joyful One was also a Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53), no stranger to grief and tears (John 11:33-35). The Man we call our Lord owned joy. All of it. It is ours for the asking.
I like this definition: Joy is a pervasive and constant sense of well being. Hope in the goodness of God is joy’s indispensable support. Dallas Willard
God “anointed his son with the oil of gladness beyond his companions” (Hebrews 1:9). In Proverbs 8:30-31 Wisdom (a personification of Jesus) was beside God, delighting in his presence, and rejoicing. In what? In us! Jesus hands out the treasure of his kingdom like candy at a birthday party. Have you bought that field of joy and entered eternal bliss (Matthew 13:44)?
We need more joy in corporate and private worship. I love the celebration of the Lord’s Supper in all its forms, but why is it often more funerary than celebrative? Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him (Hebrews 12:2). Where’s the joy?
It is the Lord’s banqueting table, after all! I leave you with this: “Can we make room in our gathered and personal worship experiences for more gladness of heart and laughter? The church is no morgue. Our Lord didn’t stay dead. He appeared after death bringing great joy. Let’s Celebrate!