How did Jesus bring joy to the world?

Response

Jesus brought joy into the world in practical ways. Every time He healed a person, cast out a demon, or forgave a sin, joy was the immediate result. Those who recognized Jesus as the promised Savior and Redeemer of the world were filled with joy “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.”, (John 3:29). When the gospel spread in the days of the early church, joy followed the message (Acts 8:8;1 Thessalonians 1:6).

Humanity yearns for hope, for meaning, and purpose. Within every human heart is the knowledge of eternity, even if we don’t recognize it as such “He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”, (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Without God as a vital part of our existence, only emptiness and futility remain. The world was lost in darkness before Jesus came the first time. God had not spoken through His prophets for over 400 years. The period between Malachi and Matthew is silent, setting the stage for the greatest event of all time: God would become a Man and live among us “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”, (John 1:14).

When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds in the field, his first words were, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”, (Luke 2:10). That “great joy” was the truth that the God who had seemed far off had come to them in human flesh. He was to be called “Immanuel,” which means “God with us” (Isaiah 9:6-7;Matthew 1:23). Those who saw Him saw the face of God “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”, (John 14:9). He had come to rescue, to save, to heal, and to make mankind right with God (Isaiah 61:1;Luke 4:17-21). That was cause for great joy!

Because Jesus came, sinful human beings have an opportunity to come into the presence of a holy God and be pronounced “not guilty” “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”, (2 Corinthians 5:21)! When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in two, symbolizing that the wall of separation between God and man had been eliminated “And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.”, (Mark 15:38). From then on, all whoPlaced their trust in Christ would be forgiven of their sin and inherit eternal life (John 3:16-18). When Jesus rose from the dead, He conquered death for every person who trusts in Him (1 Corinthians 15:53-56). That is a cause for great joy!

Jesus ascended back into heaven to “prepare a place” for all those who follow Him (John 14:1-2). But He promised that He will come again, a second time, to establish His kingdom on earth. In this kingdom righteousness and justice will reign, and God’s people will have places of honor (Micah 4; Isaiah 11; Matthew 19:28-29). The troubles of this life are not the end. Jesus told His followers, “Take heart! I have overcome the world” «These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.», (John 16:33). The knowledge that soon we will live and reign forever with our Lord is cause for great joy!

The popular Christmas song “Joy to the World” by Isaac Watts celebrates the joyful occasion of the Lord’s coming. But the lyrics were never intended to be a Christmas song. They were a poem by Watts based on Psalm 98, which is a psalm of the second coming of the Lord who “comes to judge the earth” (verse 9). Jesus’ purpose in His first coming was not to judge but to save «For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. », (John 3:17); still, celebrating the King in His lowliness is appropriate. Jesus brought joy to tHe world in His first coming to earth as a baby, and He will bring joy to the world when He comes again to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords «And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. », (Revelation 19:16).

The wait for God’s promised Messiah, expressed in passages such as Isaiah 59:20, is over. The angels announced His arrival with great fanfare. No greater honor could befall the children of Adam than that their Creator had come to redeem them from Satan’s stranglehold (1 John 5:19-20). So, although our earthly life may be filled with troubles, we have reason for hope. Because Jesus came the first time and is poised to come the second time, we can sing with conviction, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king!”