Berean Blog

Do You Want to Bring Joy to Jesus?

by Kia Reinertson on June 23, 2020

Welcome to Take Ten at Ten with Kia Reinertson, Berean's social media coordinator! Today Kia's focusing on joy described in Luke 10.

Watch Kia's Devotional

Joy Is a Fruit of the Spirit

In Luke chapter 10, Jesus sends out his 72 followers to nearby towns to prepare for his arrival.

And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest (Luke 10:2 ESV).

Jesus gives his followers specific instructions in Luke 10:3-16. And then we learn what happened:

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name! (Luke 10:12 ESV).

The 72 were obedient to Jesus' instructions to heal the sick and announce the kingdom of God was near. It wasn't easy, yet they obeyed, the people received the message, and the 72 were filled with joy. Their obedience was life-giving!

Further into chapter 10, we read about Jesus' joy after the 72 followers debriefed with him, sharing their stories about what happened as they ministered to people. Jesus responded:

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. In that same hour [Jesus] rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I 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).

Jesus was thrilled that his followers were obedient to share his message, and he expressed his joy in the Holy Spirit and thanked his heavenly Father.

When you serve people in some way, are you filled with joy in the Holy Spirit? Joy isn't natural; it doesn't "just happen" when we're doing the hard work of ministry. Especially as we are opening Berean's Burnsville Campus during Phase 1, all the cleaning and extra precautions might make volunteer time seem less joyful than it was before the pandemic. During this season of change, remember to choose gratitude.

Ask yourself, are you filled with joy? Are you ready to obey Jesus' call to share his good news? Do you want to see his joy when you minister to the people around you? Shift your attitude toward gratitude and that will likely bring the fruit of joy.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you 

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV).

Tags: joy, pray, fruit of the spirit, rejoice, luke 10, give thanks, joy in the bible, joy inside out, joy quotes bible

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