Share the Joy

Jim Bucklew
Written By Jeff Rybacki
 
“So there was much joy in that city.”
— Acts 8:8

This simple little eight-word verse really stood out to me the other day as I was reading. I mean, who doesn’t want to live in a city, town or village that is characterized by joy? People who are joy-filled tend to be good neighbors. Joy naturally breeds respect, civility, honor, generosity, and love. Joy promotes tolerance (in its purest, original definition). The concept of joy goes far beyond the simple emotion of happiness or a temporary lack of anxiety. It goes much deeper, it is more complete. It permeates our very being, and can actually coexist with – and temper – other human emotions. Joy carries with it the idea of contentment, and a peace “which surpasses all understanding”. (Php 4:7)

And what was the source of so much joy in that city (which, by the way was the city of Samaria, notably outside of the central hub of Jerusalem where the Christian church was just being birthed)? Well, due to the increasing persecution against the church in Jerusalem, the disciples of Jesus “were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1). Verse 5 tells us that, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.” And God got their attention by performing signs and miracles through Philip (see verses 6-7). Now, signs and wonders may bring awe and amazement, but they don’t bring joy. What brought the joy was being introduced to Jesus Christ. 

We see this again a little later in chapter 8 when Philip meets the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39). “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture [Isa 53:7-8] he told him the good news about Jesus.” (v. 35) As soon as they came upon some water, the eunuch wanted to be baptized. “And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.” (v. 39) Philip was gone; the eunuch was rejoicing because he had met Jesus. He was filled with joy.

Jesus has that effect on people. Even before he was born He could create joy. When Mary (the mother-to-be of Jesus) greeted her relative Elizabeth (who was six months pregnant with the baby who would become John the Baptist), Elizabeth responded, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Lk 1:42-44) And on the night that Jesus was born, the angel of the Lord said to a group of fear-filled shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Lk 2:10-11) 

As we consider these verses, especially now as we celebrate the Christmas season, I hope that we are inspired to tell our neighbors, coworkers, and friends “the good news about Jesus.” For it is only in knowing Jesus that our neighbors, coworkers, and friends will experience true joy. As Christ followers, we have been given an incredible, priceless gift. Let us be generous with it and share it with others.  And as more people come to Jesus, finding healing, forgiveness of sin, deliverance from addiction, and hope for eternity, perhaps it will be said of our community, “There was much joy in that city.”

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for the incredible gift of Jesus, and the life you give us through Him. Give us the words to share with our neighbors and friends, so that they too may know You, and the joy that knowing You brings. May You be glorified and exalted in our lives and in our community. Amen.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:8-9



 
Jeff Rybacki
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