Rejoice Always

When faced with the challenge to quote a verse of scripture from memory, many people have at one time or another turned to John 11:35—a verse that is well-known for being the shortest verse in the King James Version of the Bible: “Jesus wept.” While this verse is an important sign of Jesus’ compassion for his friends—Mary, Martha and Lazarus; it is not an accurate indicator of the predominant tenor of Jesus’ emotional state. Indeed, one of the chief complaints the religious leaders had about Jesus was that he was always going to parties; and even worse than that, they were parties where people seemed to be having fun.

Jesus’ life is marked with joy from its very beginning. Even before either of them is born, John leaps for joy in his mother’s womb when Mary goes to visit Elizabeth. Mary breaks into song as her heart is filled with joy.

When the angel appears to the shepherds in the fields outside the village of Bethlehem, he proclaims, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10). When the shepherds told Mary and Joseph—and anyone else who would listen—about their experience with the angels, they were amazed . . . and the shepherds couldn’t help but praise God for everything they had heard and seen.

When a group of wise men showed up in Jerusalem looking for a new born king, it disturbed Herod—which disturbed most of the other residents of the city. Nevertheless, once they got their bearings and turned their gaze toward Bethlehem; they spotted the star again. “When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!” (Matthew 2:10).

During his last few hours with his closest friends, Jesus reveals the purpose of all the things he has taught them: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).

It is no wonder then that Paul would tell the early followers of Jesus to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Joy has always been one of the marks of the people of God.

So if this season begins to wear on you, and you feel your joy beginning to fade; let me suggest you commit another scripture verse to memory. It is nearly as short as John 11:35—just two words. Here it is: 1 Thessalonians 5:16—“Rejoice always!” And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you as the one who was born in Bethlehem fills your life with joy.