Jesus is NOT GLOOMY!

There are some Christians who take PRIDE in being gloomy for Jesus.  Everything is a sin.  You can’t have fun.  If it’s fun, it must be a sin, so stop it.

Problem is, Christ is one of the best CELEBRATORS ever.

Zephaniah 3:17 says: “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

When the faithful servants proved faithful in the Parable – Jesus describes himself as the Master who commends them: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23.  He celebrates their success and faithfulness!  And He’ll celebrate yours as well.

Jesus first miracle was at a 7 day long wedding celebration in Cana in which He turned water in to wine.  His first miracle kept the party going!

Jesus said heaven throws a party every time one person comes to faith.  Luke 15:10 “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Even when Jesus was coming into Jerusalem for the final time (we call it Palm Sunday), the people were celebrating.  As usual, the religious leaders were upset and demanded they stop.  Jesus, knowing full well the cross was days away responded: “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40.

And Jesus rejoiced THROUGH the Cross. In spite of the agony and pain, Hebrews says Jesus endured… Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We are commanded in that verse – fix your eyes on Jesus and His joy!  That JOY of the response you and I and billions of others make when we call on the name of the Lord!

So it begs the question: If Jesus was joyful when life was most painful, should we not be even more joyful since the pain and punishment He took was ours?

Its New Years.  Every year people look forward to the NEW YEAR for what it could be, should be, might be.  Every year people put hope that the upcoming year will be better than last year.

That’s not wrong, but I believe its slightly misguided.

Every year is a blessing.  Every year is a gift.

What if instead of simply looking forward, we looked back with delight?  Instead of ONLY longing for the upcoming year to be better than last year, we might take a good amount of time to rejoice in what the OLD YEAR brought about, gave, took away, and hopefully; how the events therein grew our faith?

Stop being a doggy downer Christian.  Christ gets no glory from you being miserable.  Worse, your friends don’t what you’ve got since the world is stuffed full of gloom already.

Let’s have two-way vision:

1. Count your blessings. (Psalm 103:1-2)  Look back at what 2012 brought you and how God grew you.

2. Consider your sufferings worth nothing compared to the glory to be revealed in you (Romans 8:18).  Look forward with faith and perseverance in JOY.

Happy Old Year!