“Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed (to Mary): ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child (Jesus) you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby (John the Baptist) in my womb leaped for joy!’” Luke 1:41-44
Lord Jesus, this is one of the greatest joy-stories of all time. Both John the Baptist and you were still in your mother’s wombs, when your presence fueled John’s joy. This is amazing but consistent with who you’ve been throughout eternity. The fullness of joy abounds anywhere you are (Ps.16:11).
It’s the same joy you pray we will experience in full measure (John 17:13)—the joy you produce in us by your Spirit (Gal.5:22-23)—a joy that makes room for tears of empathy and the sorrows of life in our broken world. For Jesus, you were simultaneously a man of sorrows (Isa.53:1) and anointed with the oil of joy above everyone else (Heb.1:9). There’s no contradiction there—just beauty, kindness, and care.
Joy is now our portion, strength, and inheritance simply because you are near, Jesus. How near are you to us? At your birth you came near, journeying from heaven to earth to the cross. Through your life, death, and resurrection you now live in us, and our lives are hidden safely, deeply, and fully in yours. Hallelujah!
So we’re under no pressure to live devoid of sadness, be “up” for everybody, or short-circuit holy lament. Joy—your joy is a core of peace and hope you give us that can be explosive with loud rejoicing, gentle when entering the pain and grief of others, and liberating as we inwardly groan in the pains of childbirth, longing for your return (Rom.8:22-23). Jesus, pour more of THIS joy-oil all over us. So Very Amen.
