With Great Joy

Read This Week: Luke 24

He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations.” Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. – Luke 24:46-47 & 52 NIV

Luke 24 is a joyful chapter. If this gospel has taught us to be courageous, as is a theme, then its concluding entry emphasizes that believers should have joy as they take courage. Followers of Jesus have experienced amazement, hope, healing, and an answer to their suffering in this book, and now, because of the resurrection, they have assurance. They, along with us, have confidence that allows for peace and joy because the long-awaited promise of the Messiah is fulfilled in Christ.

There was great joy at the tomb on resurrection Sunday when the women realized that Jesus had risen from the dead on the third day just like he told them. No doubt their hearts filled with joy and gladness after the angel spoke of this truth, and they remembered his words (v.8).

There was great joy among the two disciples on the road to Emmaus when they realized the one who had been walking and talking with them was none other than the risen Christ. They even said their hearts were burning within them as they talked with Jesus, and he opened the Scriptures with them. This burning turned to joy as they understood that he was alive and proclaimed to the rest of the disciples: It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon. 

There was great joy when Jesus appeared to the Twelve and showed them the scars on his hands and feet. Verse 41 tells us that they could hardly believe their eyes because they were so happy and astonished that he was in front of them. It says they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement. They were so excited and filled with joy at the presence of the risen Savior that it seemed too good to be true.

Finally, there was great joy as the disciples and followers were blessed and watched Jesus gloriously ascend into heaven back to his rightful place. Verse 52 says that after seeing this display of majesty and power, they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. The word great in this context means an intense effort and one that affects the emotions of the mind while powerfully moving the senses. That is quite another level of joy and one that we experience knowing Jesus.

May the Spirit of God lead us every day as we live in light of the resurrection. May the word of God pierce us with the truth of His grace and eternal salvation so that we will have a delight of such intensity that it floods our senses; and takes over our mind, body, and soul in such a way that it radiates through our lives. May we live with great joy so that other believers will be encouraged and those far from God will be touched and changed.

5 Comments

  1. Jeri Centers on August 24, 2022 at 10:01 am

    Luke 24 verse 49
    I have the power it’s alive and well, the Holy Spirit is deep in my soul he dwells. I have renewal for each day guiding me the way. My inner abiding source I have the Holy Spirit my eternal energy force.

    What that means to me.
    I have strength for anything His Holy Spirit His might in everything He dwells inside of me He gives us the power just as Jesus said it would be.

  2. Javaid on August 24, 2022 at 12:43 pm

    God pulled me towards verse 45 in Luke 24 (AMPC).
    45 Then He [thoroughly] opened up their minds to understand the Scriptures

    God said to me on this “Your mind serves as a way to understand the world, but it takes your soul to truly understand Me. Your mind serves as a lockbox with certain verbal keys opening doors revealing more as you get to Me. Strive to have your doors opened with Me and you will see the world is only what is in front of you, not within you.”

    We come into this world with our mind completely open and as we grow up we tend to get doors closed in our mind. It is up to us to work with God to open those doors and allow us to see and hear and feel Him more deeply than we ever could previously. Every revelation, epiphany, euphoric feeling is from God breaking down one of our walls and we allow His light in. There is more to life than 4 walls in a dark room. Take a sledgehammer to those walls and let God’s glorious light penetrate the room. It is only then that we can truly “see”. I love you God.

  3. alma on August 24, 2022 at 4:37 pm

    This week in Luke 24 I got a song
    Thanking you

    Thanking you,thanking you thanking you our Lord for setting us free when in doubt things arise we have you to help us through you are our counselor our friend our Father the one who died for all to be free thanking you thanking you we know the truth your spirit is always with us in our hearts we never have to be alone you are our strength when we are weak you are our joy when we are sad thanking you thanking you we are thanking you our Lord amen.

    We thank you for all you do. we never have to hide or be ashamed of what we did you died on the cross so we could be set free and to have a kind and loving heart like you. Saving one heart at time. Amen

  4. reachchurch on August 28, 2022 at 12:33 pm

    This Week in the Life: Luke 24

    For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, then the message, and then the second song.

    1. Sunday Worship: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2022-0828-Worship1.wav
    2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2022-0828-Message.wav
    3. Sunday Worship: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2022-0828-Worship2.wav

    Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect

  5. Heidi on August 31, 2022 at 11:28 am

    What I was drawn to from my Father was in Luke 24 : 15 While they were talking and discussing it, Jesus Himself came up and began walking with them. 16 But their eyes were [miraculously] prevented from recognizing Him.
    32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and opening the Scriptures to us?”
    For me there are times when we may not recognize Jesus, but it’s up to me to know in my heart that Jesus is right with me, walking with me and when I pay attention, spend time with Him, talk to Him He helps me to understand and my heart gets excited, and I love to hear Him, and He helps me for sure. and I’m blessed.

    Thank you Father That you know when were ready to hear and want to know who you are and know in our hearts that You love us so much.

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