BEN F. VICK, JR.
There is much sadness and heartache in this world. Job lamented, “Man that is born of a woman Is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). However, the songwriter said it best, “Joy to the world the Lord has come.” The Man of Sorrows came to bring joy to our lives. Jesus suffered and died so that we might find true joy. Many people seek joy but cannot be found in gold, silver, possessions, or personal accomplishments. True joy is found in Jesus Christ, our Savior.
The Ethiopian nobleman came forth from the waters of baptism somewhere on that road from Jerusalem to Gaza. Philip preached unto him Jesus. When the candidate saw water, he asked, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” Then, “Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:36–39). “He went on his way rejoicing.” There can be no greater joy than having one’s sins washed away, having them blotted out, and having them remembered no more. Please note that when the man came out of the water, the text tells us that he rejoiced. Jesus, as his Savior, gave him great joy and will give it to anyone obedient to the Prince of Peace.
Paul wrote, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13–14). In the long, long ago, Isaiah sang, “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, And come with singing unto Zion; And everlasting joy shall be upon their head: They shall obtain gladness and joy; And sorrow and mourning shall flee away” (Isaiah 51:11). Having been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, we have reason to be joyful.
That joy should lead us to be thankful to the Lord because he is good, and his mercy endures forever. The joy of having been redeemed should lead us to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ. The Psalmist penned: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy” (Psa. 107:1–2). When scattered because of persecution, the early disciples told others the greatest story ever heard: “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time, there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:1–4).
Paul wrote, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom. 10:13–15).
The word “joy” translates a Greek word (χαρά) and is defined as “the emotion of great happiness and pleasure.” It is “the experience of gladness” (BDAG). Paul wrote to the Thessalonian saints: “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost” and “For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God” (1 Thess.1:6; 3:9). Paul received much happiness and pleasure because of the Christians there.
John wrote his first epistle to Christians in general. He gave at least two reasons for writing. In the opening lines, he wrote: “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4). He also wrote, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). The two reasons go together: to be full of joy, one should avoid sinning.
John also said to his converts: “The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1–4).
Circumstances in life can sometimes cause one to be depressed, down and out, or have the blues. When the Christians are going through tough times, what can they do? They can pray. They can spend time in God’s word. They can think of Paul’s having been in prison in Rome. He was productive. He, by inspiration, wrote four letters which have been preserved for us. In one of those letters, Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). There he was in prison in Rome, yet wrote to the saints at Philippi, telling them to rejoice. Rejoice in what? Rejoice in the Lord!
Why rejoice? Our Savior came into the world to save us from our sins. The burden of sin has been lifted from us by the price that Jesus paid if we are obedient to the gospel. We have the hope of eternal life.
Regardless of when Christ was born (for we do not know when nor are we authorized to celebrate his birth), we have reason to sing “Joy To the world the Lord has come.”