Here’s an interesting take on joy from Jesus’ interaction with his disciples after they had returned from a ministry trip excited that they had power over evil spirits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Nevertheless, do not rejoice <\/strong>in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice <\/strong>that your names are written in heaven.\u201d In that same hour he rejoiced <\/strong>in the Holy Spirit and said, \u201cI thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (Luke 10.20 – 21, ESV, emphasis mine)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus challenges the disciples’ source of joy: NOT that they have power over evil spirits but that they’re on God’s team! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then Jesus experiences joy over the ones God has given him – NOT the “wise and understanding” but to “little children.” Often we would like the “big names” on our side, those who are prominent in the world and also (seem to) follow Jesus. And there are some who do. But most of us are ordinary. It has always been so, and Jesus found that something to be excited and joyful about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, \u201cYou sit here in a good place,\u201d while you say to the poor man, \u201cYou stand over there,\u201d or, \u201cSit down at my feet,\u201d have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?<\/strong> But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? (James 2.1 – 7, ESV, emphasis mine)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, \u201cLet the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.\u201d (1 Corinthians 1.26 – 31, ESV – <\/em>I have heard that one of the English queens said, “Saved by an ‘m.’ The text doesn’t say, ‘Not any <\/strong>of noble birth,’ but ‘Not m<\/strong>any of noble birth. I’m saved by an ‘m.'”)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here’s an interesting take on joy from Jesus’ interaction with his disciples after they had returned from a ministry trip excited that they had power over evil spirits: “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.\u201d In that same hour he … Continue reading Joy in ordinary people<\/span>