We have Joy because Jesus Gives Life

Photo by Sander van der Wel

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-2

The wilderness and the desert will be glad, And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus It will blossom profusely And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy.  The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, The majesty of Carmel and Sharon.  They will see the glory of the Lord, The majesty of our God.

Insights: This third week of Advent focuses on the subject of joy.  Jesus Christ provides us with joy and this week we will look at five reasons or areas in which the Lord gives us this joy.  Today we look at the first and it is the most important.  We have joy because Jesus has given us life.  Notice in today’s verses that Isaiah’s imagery is that of a wilderness and a desert.  These are images of death and decay.  You do not want to be in the wilderness or desert in this kind of context.  Yet, the Lord informs us that we will see His glory which is the majesty of God.  This glory and majesty became flesh and dwelt among us in the form of Jesus Christ, God’s Son.  If we have received His free gift of eternal life in Him, then we are no longer dead in our trespasses and sin.  Rather we are alive and freed to blossom profusely like the crocus. We will have shouts of joy in our hearts and we will proclaim boldly the grace and glory of our Lord.  Beloved, we live in a very skeptical society when it comes to Jesus and His saving work.  Yet the Scriptures were written over centuries by numerous authors and they all point to the central figure, Jesus.  This kind of work could not have happened if it were not true.  This singular evidence ought to press on your mind and make you begin the journey of investigation.  If you are willing to be honest and to set aside your prejudices, you will come to the realization you truly are a dead person.  You are in need of life and only Jesus can give it to you.  It is my prayer this Christmas season that you find Him.

Questions:

 1. Have you ever been born again by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary and in His subsequent resurrection?

 2. If not, why not?

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me new life.  I was dead in my sin and destined for the Lake of Fire separated from You.  You, however, swooped in and rescued me from this fate and have given me eternal life.  Thank You.  Amen.

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