A Day Of Joy

Luke 10:17-24

¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

²² “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

²³ Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

It's rare that the Gospels speak directly about Jesus being joyful, although we might surmise it. But here, seeing the joy in the hearts and stories of the seventy-two as they recounted tales of there "first missionary journey", his heart too fills with joy, so much so that Matthew notes it.. Does this not give us a closer bond with Jesus and further insight into who he is: a man with a mission, yes, but a man who like us rejoices at the good news of success, especially that of our friends?  Does this not spur us on to carry out our day with joy, so that we may give joy to Jesus? May joy and enthusiasm mark our day, our attitude toward whatever we need to do, and may we share these gifts with everyone who crosses our path.

Bro, Rene