Have you ever pictured Jesus’ moments of joy?
We only see one instance in scripture in which Jesus shows emotion, John 11:35. Jesus went to see his friends emotion at the death of Lazarus. But, I sit here thinking of the many other moments of sheer joy in Jesus’ heart. Moments that He was overcome with love and joy for the realization of the soul before Him I seeing God’s glory.
Think of the scenes we know so well. John 9 – Jesus heals the blind man. Imagine being born blind, never having seen anything with your eyes. Then, suddenly, a man comes before you and heals your blindness. As the mud breaks from your eyes, you lift your head and the first thing you see is the eyes of Jesus. We know the blind man’s joy, but can you imagine the joy that filled Jesus’ heart when those eyes saw Him? When that man gave glory to God?
What about the lepers? When those He heals see Him as the Messiah, and the healing glory of God flows through them. His eyes fill with tears of joy at their joy. Think of the scene in John 6. Jesus feeds the five thousand with 2 fish and 5 loaves of barley bread. That was a truly miraculous moment for sure. But, let your eyes wander behind Jesus as He breaks the loaves into food for all present. The little boy’s jaw dropped to the ground in awe. The smile on Jesus’ face for the awe o this child’s eyes.
Imagine the joy in Jesus’ heart, when Peter leaped out of the boat when he realized it was his friend and Lord on the beach – John 21:7. I can almost see the heartwarming smile on our Lord’s face as He sees Peter dive headlong into the water to get to Him.
Or, lastly, the woman at the well in John 4. He came to Samaria on this day, at this time, specifically to meet this woman. Jesus meets her, one could say, He came in search of this lost sheep of His. I imagine the conversation, read it with me. “Whoever drinks of this spring shall thirst no more” (John 4:14). They banter back and forth – she comes before him from a place as hopelessness. Hopelessness meeting Hope Himself. He speaks things to her that no one would know, things she hides in fear and shame. Her shame is so great, she is out at midday to get water. Then, she looks up into His Holy eyes and sees exactly to Whom she speaks – the Messiah. God. She is so exuberant in this moment that she runs to tell everyone of Whom she met. The same people she was hiding from previously. And, in the look in her eyes, hope returning, Jesus is filled with such joy that His eyes become glassy with tears.
Everything about Jesus’ ministry was of praise to the Father. Read the Gospel of John, everything He did was to point to the Father. And, can you imagine Him not being overwhelmed in His humanity and Divinity when a soul realizes the truth of Who He is.
Ponder today upon the joy that Jesus feels, the joy that overflows His Sacred Heart when a sinner hears the voice of God and repents. Think about the tears of joy in His Holy Eyes when you look up and see God standing smiling before you. I can see the joy that Jesus felt the day I opened my eyes after 35 years of walking in darkness. That moment I saw Jesus standing right in front of me all along. I imagine the joy of God when I pray and lift up my voice in His Praise. I can see the tears welling up in His Holy eyes.
Let the joy of Jesus flow through your heart as an open conduit to shine as a beacon in our world. The people lost in this darkening world need to see the joy of Jesus. Let it be seen shining through you.
Then sings my soul.
Beautiful. Thank you.