Jesus: Joy to the World
“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you”
- Psalm 5:11
Old Covenant Anticipation
The Old Testament is filled with stories of people filled with joy by abiding by God and his promises. Nehemiah is admonished with, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Isaiah prophesied, “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace.” (Isaiah 55:12). These descriptions of joy are filled with anticipation that point us to the future and identify a longing in our hearts for joy in the Lord. But what are these Old Testament passages pointing toward specifically?
These and other Old Testament passages point toward the joy of the gospel, reconciliation with God, and ultimately, our joy in the everlasting Kingdom of God when he returns to make all things right.
God promised to send the Messiah as far back as Genesis 3. In 2 Samuel 7, God promised to set a king over Israel whose reign would endure forever. In Ezekiel 34, God promised to set a Good Shepherd over his people. In Isaiah 53, God promised the Suffering Servant would come to suffer for the transgression of his people. Then, after Malachi, the prophets ceased. God did not speak. There was silence. Four hundred years of it.
New Covenant Reality
Then, one night in Bethlehem, angels filled the sky before humble shepherds as they proclaimed the coming of the great yet humble Messiah King.
“And the angel said unto them ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
Notice the description the angel uses to describe his message. “Good news of great joy.” This joy (foreshadowed in the Old Testament) is now fully realized in the advent of Jesus. This joy of good news, the gospel, is what the Old Testament was referring to – the coming of Christ to die in our place so that we might be redeemed by his blood, reconciled to the Father, and “enter into the joy of [our] Master” (Matthew 25:23).
True lasting joy for all people is only possible because of the incarnation of Christ. He is Immanuel – God with us (Isaiah 7:14). And because of his presence, we have lasting joy.
Application: Joy in Our Present
For the Christian, joy is a deep hope and anticipation rooted in the promises of God: Christ. Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promises to his people.
Charles Spurgeon described joy in this way, “Believers are not dependent upon circumstances. Their joy comes not from what they have, but from what they are; not from where they are, but from whose they are." True joy is the presence of God with us in Christ. This presence of God is only possible because of Christ’s advent. The gospel message does not change. Our standing before God does not waver based on our feelings or circumstances.
Whatever you are currently walking through, be encouraged that your joy does not have to fluctuate based on circumstances. Joy is rooted in the One who’s coming was described as “great joy to all people.” This is your King and your Messiah. Take joy in him as you celebrate his advent.
“In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Brittany Proffitt lives in Dallas and is a writer and content manager for So We Speak.
