Tag Archives: God’s Joy

Rewarded with Joy

Living in the Spirit

June 28, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 10:40-42
‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’

Someone just posted on my Facebook, a group of pictures of President Obama with children and elderly people during his presidency. They are lovely pictures of the kids and the seniors, but the person who is enjoying the encounters the most is the President. His face reflects absolute joy.  Seeing those pictures just before reading the above scripture made me wonder what Jesus found to be rewarding. I have seen artistic renderings of Jesus laughing and playing with children.

The word reward implies correct compensation for services rendered. Years ago, an elder in my church said in a class that his goal for doing good was to earn a higher spot in heaven, and he meant it. I was much younger at the time and confess I was taken aback and spent some time considering that idea. I come from the viewpoint that my relationship with Christ started when I accepted him as my Savior, and that relationship continues through eternity.  God loves me and desires for me, whatever is best for me.

I think that is a very freeing relationship. It opens the door to explore and find all the opportunities that await each of us to be of service to God in areas that bring us joy. What brings us joy, not happiness or thrills, but deep, lasting joy? Is it seeing a toddler stacking the colored rings on a post for the first time? Perhaps it is watching an amputee take his first step with a prosthesis. Maybe it is seeing the new owner receive the keys to a Habitat for Humanities house you helped build. In 1991, I felt joy hearing that the Governor had signed a bill supporting improved childcare in Oklahoma, after working for ten years to craft and pass such a law.

A lot of hard work went into all these accomplishments. Setbacks and restarts were the norms, but working together with people who share God’s vision for our world is one of the greatest joys we can experience. We are all called to live in the joy of loving like Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for sharing your joy with us and for being with us during the frustrating times we spend building joy. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

God’s Gift of Joy

Lent
April 7, 2017

Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
   We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God,
   and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
   up to the horns of the altar.

 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
   you are my God, I will extol you.

 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
   for his steadfast love endures forever. –Psalm 118:26-28

We come to the end of our Psalm for this week and understand why it was included in the lectionary. It is the source of the words used by the crowds that rejoiced in Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, on what we now call Palm Sunday. Can you image being a modern-day news reported standing with mike in hand getting people’s reaction to the arrival of Jesus. I am sure the responses were as varied as the people in the crowd. Many probably joined just to see what was going on: How would the Romans react? What would the religious leaders do? Some might have longed for the equivalent of a selfie they could share with their friends. Others having heard him speak were impressed with his teachings and wanted to hear more. A few knew who he was and why he was there. I doubt anyone fully understood what came next.

Jesus was well acquainted with the scriptures, particularly the Psalms. He knew that these words of praise were preceded by Psalm 118: 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. His donkey ride into Jerusalem was the culmination of his entering the gate. Having planted the seeds for the coming Kingdom and started the process of training those responsible for its development, he was ready for the final phase of his mission which was the initiation of a new heaven and a new earth ruled by love.

Prayer: God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we thank you for the gift of your Son who is our role model, our nurturer, and our savior. For his sake, we enter your courts with singing as we experience the source of joy. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the new Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.